Must-try Italian Tuna Pasta Bake
Tuna pasta bake is by no means an Italian recipe. Americans came up with it in the 1930s because it was cheap and had a good protein content. So why is an Italian making this, you ask?
Tuna pasta casseroles have been trending recently, so I got curious and looked into a few recipes. I suddenly realized that many modern versions, especially European ones, start off similarly to one of my family’s recipes. It’s a tuna pasta sauce recipe that was given to my grandma by her brother; then my grandma showed it to my mum, so I grew up eating it; and now I sometimes cook it myself.
Hence why this recipe is called Tuna Pasta Bake Italian-style because it’s an Italian tuna pasta recipe that I turned into a pasta bake for extra taste, cheesiness and crunch. If that sounds good, keep reading. I think you are going to love this one.
What nutrients are in tuna pasta bake?
Tuna Pasta Bake is a balanced meal that offers a variety of essential nutrients:
- Protein: Tuna is a high-quality source of protein which is vital for building and repairing tissues, making hormones, and supporting immune function.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Tuna is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to promote heart health by reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure.
- Complex Carbohydrates: Pasta provides a substantial amount of complex carbohydrates which are essential for energy production.
- Fiber: If whole grain pasta is used, it also contributes significant dietary fiber which aids in digestion and helps in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Cheese adds calcium for bone health, and the use of vegetables in the sauce (like tomatoes or spinach) can contribute a variety of vitamins and minerals. For example, tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and potassium, and spinach provides iron and calcium.
- Healthy Fats: The cheese and any oil used in the recipe provide healthy fats, which are necessary for absorbing certain vitamins and for overall cellular health.
I would never make this recipe thinking, or worst saying this is a healthy recipe, but it all depends on what one views as healthy.
When I say it’s not healthy I mean it’s not a salad and fish with a simple olive oil dressing; it’s neither a 5 ingredient pasta; it has a lot of cheese; and it’s not low in calories.
However, it’s a homemade meal made with high quality ingredients that are all genuine, so if you don’t mind the extra calories, it can be considered a very good meal. Just don’t have this if you are trying to loose or maintain your weight, or have it as a treat every now and then.
This disclaimer comes from the fact that tuna pasta bakes have been trending as a healthy food to be eaten on a diet. If you want that kind of tuna pasta just stick to a pasta made with gnocchi (fresh gnocchi are low in calories), veggies, tuna, a little EVOO.
And if you want, you can make the sauce with the vegetables soffritto, add capers, and even olives, and the passata. Then, crunch it under the grill with a little cheese on top. That’s much simpler, healthier and lower calories. That’s the kind of recipe you can eat multiple times a week in my opinion, although I am not a nutritionist.
Can you put tuna pasta in the microwave?
Yes, you can. However, as with anything else, only heat up the portion you are going to eat.
Can I reheat tuna pasta twice?
Since you already cooked your pasta once, and then even baked it if you made a tuna pasta bake, just reheat the portion you need to eat. That way, you’ll be reheating your pasta once.
Easy Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe Italian-style
Now that I have answered most questions about tuna pasta bake let me share my recipe with you.
Tuna Pasta Bake Italian-style
Equipment
- 1 chopping board
- 1 chopping knife
- 1 medium pan
- 1 medium large pot
- 1 pasta ladle
- 1 silicone spoon
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery stalk
- 2 cans tuna in brine
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1/4 glass white wine water glass
- 750 ml Italian tomato passata
- 400 gr Calamari pasta
- 100 gr smoked scamorza regular scamorza will do but the smoked one gives the tuna pasta bake extra flavour
- 3 tbsp pre-grated pecorino or grate yourself or Romano cheese
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp Belmorso Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Peel and slice the onion and carrots finely.
- Sauté the veggies with the celery stalk in the EVOO. Use all 3 tablespoons.
- Add the tuna and caper after a couple of minutes, and toss together.
- After another couple of minutes you can add the wine; leave to evaporate.
- Now, add the tomato passata, mix well, lower the heat, and leave to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
- In the meantime, boil the water for your pasta with plenty of salt.
- When it boils, add the calamari pasta for the tuna pasta bake. Cook following the packaging instructions.
- Take your sauce off the heat and drain your pasta. Leave some cooking water just in case.
- Add the pasta to your pan if large enough, or vice versa the sauce to your pot. Mix the pasta with the sauce well.
- Transfer to a baking dish and add the Scamorza cheese into large pieces scattered throughout the dish.
- Top with the grated Pecorino or Romano cheese and breadcrumbs, distributed evenly.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Take out of the oven and serve with a little drizzle of Belmorso EVOO. Buon appetito.
Love Tuna? Make These Other Tuna Recipes
If you like tuna, canned or fresh, here are three Italian delicious recipes you need to try.
Tuna Steak with Onions & White Balsamic Vinegar
15 Minute Spicy Tuna Pasta Recipe
