Tuna & Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Tuna & Broccoli Pasta Bake is a comforting and nutritious meal that comes together quickly. Packed with tender broccoli, flavorful tuna, and a cheesy topping, it’s perfect for a family dinner or easy leftovers.

Ingredients

• 2 x 185g cans tuna in olive oil, drained well, 1 tbsp oil reserved
• 2 x 400g cans chopped tomato with garlic and herbs
• 350g dried pasta shapes
• 300g broccoli, chopped into small florets
• 200g pack light soft cheese
• 100g cheddar, finely grated
• 25g breadcrumbs
• Salad, to serve (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the reserved oil from the tuna in a very large saucepan. Add the chopped tomatoes and 200ml water, then bring to a simmer. Let it cook gently while you prepare the pasta.
2. Step 2: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. For the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pasta water. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving some of the cooking water.
3. Step 3: Stir the soft cheese into the tomato sauce until it melts and combines smoothly. Mix the sauce with the pasta, broccoli, and drained tuna. Add a little reserved cooking water if the sauce needs thinning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Step 4: Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the grated cheddar and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
5. Step 5: Place under a preheated grill, not too close to the heat, for 4-6 minutes or until the topping is golden and bubbling.
6. Step 6: Serve hot, with a big side salad if you like, for a fresh contrast.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes to the tomato sauce before simmering.
• Swap broccoli for cauliflower or green beans if preferred.
• Use whole wheat pasta for a healthier option.
• If you don’t have a grill, bake in a preheated 200°C oven for 15-20 minutes until golden.

Storage

Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C until warmed through to keep the topping crispy, or microwave for a quicker option, though the topping may soften.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use canned tuna in water instead of olive oil?

Yes, you can use tuna in water, but you might want to add a little olive oil to the sauce to keep it rich and flavorful.

Is this recipe suitable for freezing?

Yes, the baked pasta freezes well. Cool completely, then freeze in a suitable container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tuna & Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.7 from 120 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This Tuna & Broccoli Pasta Bake is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a family dinner. It combines tender pasta, nutritious broccoli, and flavorful tuna in a rich tomato and soft cheese sauce, topped with melted cheddar and crispy breadcrumbs for a delightful crunch. Ready in under an hour, this bake is both easy to make and delicious, offering a satisfying way to enjoy a balanced meal.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein & Dairy

• 2 x 185g cans tuna in olive oil, drained well (reserve 1 tbsp oil)
• 200g pack light soft cheese
• 100g cheddar, finely grated

Vegetables & Canned Goods

• 2 x 400g cans chopped tomato with garlic and herbs
• 300g broccoli, chopped into small florets

Dry Goods

• 350g dried pasta shapes
• 25g breadcrumbs

Optional

• Salad, to serve (optional)

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce and cook pasta: Heat the reserved olive oil from the tuna in a very large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped tomatoes and 200ml of water. Allow the tomato sauce to simmer gently while you proceed to cook the pasta.
2. Cook pasta and broccoli: Cook the pasta shapes according to the package instructions. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the chopped broccoli florets into the boiling pasta water. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving a small amount of the cooking water.
3. Combine sauce and soft cheese: Stir the light soft cheese into the simmering tomato sauce until completely melted and smooth.
4. Mix pasta, broccoli, and tuna: Add the drained pasta, broccoli, and tuna to the tomato and soft cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly. If the sauce feels too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the consistency. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. Assemble the bake: Transfer everything into an ovenproof dish. Evenly sprinkle the grated cheddar and breadcrumbs over the top of the mixture.
6. Grill the pasta bake: Preheat your grill. Place the ovenproof dish under the grill, positioning it not too close to the heat source. Grill for about 4-6 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbling.
7. Serve: Remove from grill and serve immediately. Optionally, accompany the bake with a fresh side salad for extra greens and texture.

Notes

• For a creamier sauce, you can add a splash of milk when mixing the soft cheese into the tomatoes.
• If you prefer a crunchier topping, mix the breadcrumbs with a teaspoon of melted butter before sprinkling.
• Broccoli can be substituted with other quick-cooking vegetables like green beans or peas if desired.
• Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutritional benefits.
• This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before grilling for a quick meal later.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Pasta Bake
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: British

Keywords: Tuna pasta bake, broccoli pasta bake, baked pasta, tuna dinner, easy pasta bake, family meal, quick dinner