Weeknight Tuna Pasta Bake

Name: Weeknight Tuna Pasta Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian, American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour; 0.25 cup Bread Crumbs; 2 tbsp Butter; 15 oz Canned Tuna in Water; 0.5 tsp Dry Mustard; 3.25 cups Fusilli Pasta; 3 tsp Lemon Juice; 2 cups Milk; 1 to taste Salt & Pepper; 1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Italian 🇮🇹American Comfort-Food Pescatarian 🐟

Weeknight Tuna Pasta Bake layers tender fusilli with creamy cheddar sauce, brightened by a hint of lemon and mustard for gentle tang. Flaked tuna adds hearty, comforting richness, while a crisp breadcrumb topping gives satisfying crunch in every bite. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a make-ahead meal on busy evenings.

Prep15 mins
Cook45 mins
Serves4
DifficultyEasy

1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
3

Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Return to the heat and cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 of the Cheddar cheese. Add lemon juice, mustard powder, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
4

Drain the fusilli and fold it into the sauce. Mix in tuna. Pour the mixture into an 8-inch casserole dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Top with the remaining Cheddar cheese.
5

Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and golden, about 30 minutes.