Description
This Tuna Arrabbiata Pasta Gratin is a deliciously spicy and comforting baked pasta dish featuring a rich tomato and pepper sauce with flaked tuna, topped with a crispy parmesan and wholemeal breadcrumb crust. It combines the vibrant flavors of roasted peppers and chilli with hearty wholemeal pasta, making it a satisfying meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and sliced
- 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- pinch crushed dried chillies
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 50g mixed pitted olives, whole or roughly chopped (optional)
- pinch caster sugar
- 250g wholemeal pasta shapes
- 2 x 200g cans tuna steak in spring water, drained and flaked
Topping
- 25g fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Prepare the pepper sauce: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the sliced red and yellow peppers and fry for about 5 minutes, until they start to caramelise and soften.
- Add aromatics and spice: Add the crushed garlic cloves and a pinch of crushed dried chillies to the pan, cooking for 30 seconds to release their flavors without burning.
- Add tomatoes and olives: Pour in the chopped tomatoes from the cans along with the olives if using. Season with salt and add a pinch of caster sugar to balance the acidity. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the sauce uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken and concentrate the flavors.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the wholemeal pasta shapes according to the package instructions until al dente. Then drain well.
- Combine pasta with sauce and tuna: Add the drained pasta and flaked tuna into the tomato pepper sauce, stirring gently to combine well.
- Assemble the gratin: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a large ovenproof dish, spreading it evenly.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs with the grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pasta in the dish.
- Grill to finish: Preheat the grill. Place the dish under the grill for 3-4 minutes or until the breadcrumb and Parmesan topping turns crisp and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the grill and serve hot. This gratin pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the tuna with 1 tablespoon of drained capers and add an extra pinch or two of chilli flakes to increase the spice level.
- You can add pine nuts mixed with the breadcrumb topping for extra texture and flavor.
- Use wholemeal pasta and breadcrumbs to boost fiber content and add nuttier flavors.
- Adjust the amount of crushed chillies according to your preferred spice tolerance.
- Olives are optional but add a nice briny contrast to the sweet peppers and spicy sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Tuna arrabbiata, pasta gratin, spicy pasta bake, tuna pasta, baked pasta, Italian pasta dish, wholemeal pasta gratin
