This broccoli and tuna pasta bake is exactly what you want on a regular evening: simple, budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have, fresh broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce that brings it all together.
I make this kind of cheesy pasta bake all the time -ย like really often. Broccoli and tuna pasta bake, Oven-Baked Salmon Pasta without Cream, or Chorizo Pasta Bake - my kids, and definitely my husband, love them. Pasta and cheese are probably the two ingredients no one can say no to.
If you've tried a few of my pasta dishes already - like Salmon Crรจme Fraiche Pasta or One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta - this one fits right in: simple, creamy, and good for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time:ย 20 minutes |ย Cook Time:ย 20 minutes |ย Ingredients:ย 11 + oil, salt & pepperย |ย Servings:ย 4 |ย Difficulty:ย Easy
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Recipe ingredients
Pasta: Use any short pasta you like. I had fusilli, but penne, macaroni, or something similar works just as well. Try the Tuna Mac and Cheese or the Creamy Tuna Carbonara, too.
Tuna: I use 2 cans of tuna in water (about 5-6 oz / 140-170 g each). Drain well before adding.
Broccoli: Use the florets and the peeled, chopped stem. The stem adds flavor and texture without any waste.
Cheese: Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyรจre, Fontina, or any good-melting, flavorful cheese you like. Half goes in the sauce, and the rest gets sprinkled on top before baking.
Dairy: Heavy cream, milk, and a bit of sour cream. You can also use cream cheese if you don't have sour cream.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make broccoli and tuna pasta bake?
Preparations: Cook the pasta al dente, drain it, and return it to the pot. While the pasta cooks, chop the ingredients and make the tuna pasta sauce.
Step #1: Sautรฉ the onion until translucent, then stir in the garlic.
Step #2: Add broccoli, cream, milk, and seasoning. Cook, covered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sour cream and adjust the taste.
Step #3: Combine pasta, sauce, drained tuna, and ยฝ of the grated cheese in the large pasta pot, then transfer the mixture to the buttered baking dish.
Step #4: Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is golden and melty.
Variations
Vegetables: Use peas, carrots, peppers, or zucchini instead of broccoli.
Protein swap: For a completely different flavor, swap cooked chicken for tuna.
Quick version: Skip baking, combine pasta with the sauce and cheese, and serve immediately for a stovetop meal. Another super quick pasta dish is the Mac and Cheese Without Milk.
Tips
- Don't overcook the pasta in the boiling water - it will finish cooking in the oven.
- Chop the broccoli stem finely so it cooks evenly with the florets.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning in the sauce before baking.
- Use a mix of cheeses if you have several leftover scraps.
Store and reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezing: Let the pasta bake cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat in the oven at 175 ยฐC / 350 ยฐF for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through.
More cheesy pasta bakes
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๐ Recipe
Broccoli and Tuna Pasta Bake
Equipment
- Large cooking pot
- Large pan or skillet
- Baking dish about 31x21 inches/ 6.5x8 cm
Ingredients
- 1 lb fusilli Note 1
- 2 cans tuna in water, drained, Note 2
- 1 broccoli head about 1 lb / 450 g
- 1 medium onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ยฝ cup milk
- ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- a pinch of red pepper flakes to taste
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 cup grated cheese divided, Note 3
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ยฐF/ 180ยฐC and lightly butter the baking dish.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt generously, and cook the pasta according to the packet's instructions. Drain well. In the meantime, prepare the rest.1 lb fusilli
- Chop the ingredients: Chop the broccoli into florets, peel the stem, and cut the stem into small cubes. Set aside. Finely chop the onion and set it aside. Finely chop the garlic and keep it separate from the rest.1 broccoli head + 1 medium onion + 2 garlic cloves
- Sautรฉ: Heat the oil in the pan. Cook the onion on medium-low heat until translucent, 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for another minute. Add the broccoli and stir well to combine.1 tablespoon olive oil + onion + garlic + broccoli
- Make the sauce: Add heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, cover the pan with the lid, and cook gently for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice. 1 cup heavy cream + ยฝ cup milk + ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt + ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper + 1 teaspoon oregano + a pinch of red pepper flakes
- Add the sour cream and adjust the taste with more salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. 3 tablespoons sour cream
- Combine: Return the drained pasta to the cooking pot. Add drained tuna, broccoli mixture, ยฝ of the grated cheese, and stir to combine. Adjust the taste again if necessary.pasta + 2 cans tuna + ยฝ from 1 cup grated cheese
- Assemble the dish: Transfer the mixture to a lightly buttered baking dish and sprinkle it with the remaining cheese. ยฝ from 1 cup grated cheese
- Bake the tuna pasta casserole for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and melted. Let rest for 5 minutes and serve.
Notes
- Pasta: You can use any short pasta shapes you like. I had fusilli, but penne, macaroni, or anything else works just as well.
- Tuna: I use 2 cans of tuna in water (about 140 - 170 g each, drained), roughly 1 cup total. You can use any good-quality canned tuna that's well drained; this will slightly affect the calorie count if the tuna is in oil.
- Cheese: Cheddar, Gouda, or any good-melting, flavorful cheese you like is okay.
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