Go Back
Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe

Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe

Tuna Pasta Bake is a 40-minute, oven-baked comfort dish made with spiral pasta, chunky tuna, a rich tomato herb sauce, and melted mozzarella.
Simple pantry ingredients come together for a hearty, family-friendly meal with golden, bubbly edges and satisfying flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners, make-ahead meals, and cozy leftovers.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 374
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 800 g / 28 oz crushed tomato
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste optional
  • 3/4 cup 185 ml water
  • 1 tablespoon Italian mixed herbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 425 g / 15 oz can chunk tuna drained
  • 200 g / 7 oz spiral pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Olive oil for drizzling

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions but reduce the time by 1 minute. Drain and rinse briefly under water to stop it sticking. Set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion and cook for about 3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
  4. Add the crushed tomato, water, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and tomato paste if using. Stir and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust salt if needed. If it tastes too acidic, add a small pinch of sugar.
  6. Turn off the heat and stir the pasta into the sauce.
  7. Add the tuna and gently fold it in. Keep some chunks intact so they don’t turn into mush.
  8. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly with crispy edges.
  9. Let it stand for about 3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Tuna Pasta Bake isn’t flashy. It’s dependable. It’s cheesy. It’s the kind of meal that quietly saves dinner without asking for applause.
And honestly, that’s my favorite kind.