Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming World Pasta Bake
This easy Tuna Pasta Bake (a.k.a Tuna Casserole) is made with everyday store-cupboard ingredients and comes together in minutes. A great-tasting family meal that’s practically Syn free!
Servings: 6
Calories: 468kcal
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 14 oz (400g) dried pasta , such as penne
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- ½ tsp salt
For the pasta bake
- 2 cups (500g) passata or passata rustica
- 2 tbsp cream cheese (reduced fat if preferred)
- 14 oz (400g) chopped tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- 11 oz (320g) tuna in brine , drained
- 7 oz (200g) canned corn , drained
- 2 tsp sweetener (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup (100g) grated cheddar cheese (reduced fat if preferred)
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese (reduced fat if preferred)
- ⅓ cup (80ml) pasta water
- 4 tbsp handful fresh basil , chopped plus extra to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F(180°C). Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the stock cube and ½ tsp salt and stir to dissolve. Add the pasta and set a timer to cook it for 2 minutes less than the time on the pack. Drain the pasta into a large bowl, reserving 80ml (⅓ cup) of the pasta water.14 oz (400g) dried pasta, 1 vegetable stock cube, ½ tsp salt
- Mix the cream cheese with half of the passata until smooth.2 cups (500g) passata , 2 tbsp cream cheese
- Add the cream cheese mix, remaining passata and tinned tomatoes to the pasta bowl. Give everything a good stir.14 oz (400g) chopped tomatoes
- Add the corn, a large handful of the grated cheese, drained tuna, chopped basil, salt, sweetener and red pepper flakes and stir to combine.11 oz (320g) tuna in brine, 7 oz (200g) canned corn, 2 tsp sweetener, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp red pepper flakes, 1 cup (100g) grated cheddar cheese, 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 4 tbsp handful fresh basil
- Transfer to an ovenproof dish and drizzle with the reserved pasta water.⅓ cup (80ml) pasta water
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Garnish with more chopped basil and serve!
Video
Notes
TUNA PASTA BAKE VARIATIONS
- Add texture and CRUNCH! Not really suitable for those on a diet but my kids LOVE this. Crumble of a bag of salted crisps and sprinkle over the pasta bake. Alternatively you can use a few tablespoons of Panko breadcrumbs or wholemeal breadcrumbs which are a healthy extra.
- Swap the tuna for drained lump crab meat. This is more expensive but incredibly tasty. Alternatively you can use raw prawns (shrimp) instead of the tuna, also very yummy.
- Mexican Tuna Pasta Bake add a tin of drained black beans or mixed beans and 2-3 tablespoons sliced green jalapeños (from a jar). Replace the basil with parsley or coriander. Top with some crunched tortilla chips!
- Make it gluten free using good quality gluten free pasta.
- Use wholemeal pasta for added fiber.
Recipe slimming info
This recipe uses some of your healthy extra allowance for cheese. There’s some syns if you use Extra Light Cream Cheese (1.5 syns) - this works out as negligible .25 syns per serving.
This recipe uses some of your healthy extra allowance for cheese. There’s some syns if you use Extra Light Cream Cheese (1.5 syns) - this works out as negligible .25 syns per serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 1076mg | Potassium: 876mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 812IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 262mg | Iron: 4mg
