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:

1. Protein: Tuna is a high-quality source of protein which is vital for building and repairing tissues, making hormones, and supporting immune function.
2. 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.
3. Complex Carbohydrates: Pasta provides a substantial amount of complex carbohydrates which are essential for energy production.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

 

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.

 

         

Love Tuna? Make These Other Tuna Recipes

If you like tuna, canned or fresh, here are three Italian delicious recipes you need to try.

Italian Tuna Rice Salad

Tuna Steak with Onions & White Balsamic Vinegar

15 Minute Spicy Tuna Pasta Recipe