Tuna Pasta Bake with Tomato Sauce

Pasta casseroles are always a great choice for dinner! These one-pot meals are easy to make and budget-friendly. And when it comes to meal prepping on a budget, it doesn't get much better than this tuna pasta bake! Made with just four ingredients, including tomato sauce and melty cheese, this simple dinner idea is a great way to feed your family without breaking the bank.

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What Do I Need to Make Tuna Pasta Bake?

One of the best things about this quick and easy casserole recipe is that it can be made with just four simple ingredients! All you need to whip up this delicious dinner for your family tonight is:

• Rigatoni Pasta
• Marinara sauce
• Chunk tuna
• Shredded cheddar cheese

How Do I Make Tuna Pasta Bake?

You'll love how quickly and easily this baked casserole comes together. Follow these easy instructions to prep your dinner and put it in the oven in just five minutes.

Step One: Prepare the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. When the water begins to boil, add the rigatoni pasta and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes under the suggested time on the package. Then, drain and rinse your al dente pasta and return it to the pan.

Step Two: Layer the Casserole Ingredients

Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish greased with cooking spray. Then, add the remaining sauce to the pot with the pasta. Stir to mix the sauce into the pasta and pour half the noodles into the pan. Top with half the tuna and ⅓ of the shredded cheese. Then, add the remaining pasta, tuna, and cheese to the pan in that order.

Step Three: Bake the Casserole

Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown. Allow the pasta bake to rest for around 3 minutes before serving.

How Do You Store Tuna Pasta Bake?

Everyone in your family is going to love this easy dinner idea! But if you have some extras left when dinner is over, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them again. You can reheat the casserole in the microwave or the oven at 350 degrees until heated.

Can I Freeze Tuna Noodle Casserole?

This simple dinner idea is perfect for meal prepping because it can easily be frozen until you're ready to bake it! There are two different ways you can freeze your meal:

• Before baking. To reduce the time it takes to prepare your casserole before freezing, layer the ingredients in a freezer-safe dish and cover the pan with foil. Then, could you wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the freezer? 
• After baking. To speed up the prep work at dinner time, you can also bake your casserole before freezing. Follow the instructions for prepping and baking the dish, then allow the pan to cool completely. You can freeze the entire dish by covering with foil and plastic wrap. Or transfer individual serving sizes into airtight containers and freeze.

No matter how you prep your casserole before freezing, it will stay good for up to one month. To bake the frozen pasta dish, transfer the ingredients from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw overnight, then bake until heated through.

Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe Ideas

With just four ingredients, this quick and easy dinner idea is perfect for a busy weeknight. And since you only need a handful of supplies to prepare it, this casserole is also easy to customize. Try these additions and adjustments to create a fantastic meal your family will love.

• Add some veggies. Turn this one-pot dinner into a healthy meal by adding vegetables to the casserole. Mix in some chopped bell peppers, peas, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, corn, zucchini slices, or mushrooms to the tuna and pasta before baking.
• Use your favorite pasta. You can mix up this delicious casserole using any pasta you want! The best casserole noodles are bite-sized, sturdy pasta varieties, like penne, bow tie, elbow macaroni, or rotini.
• Try different cheeses. Cheddar cheese is a great option for pairing with pasta and tuna. But there is a variety of delicious cheeses you can use! Try baking your pasta with mozzarella, Monterrey jack, or parmesan cheese.
• Make it with Alfredo. This simple casserole can be prepared with marinara sauce, but it also tastes amazing with Alfredo sauce! Try swapping the same amount of marinara for alfredo for a unique take on this classic dish.
• Add some fresh herbs. Mix some herbs into the sauce to give your casserole a fresh flavor. Try adding finely chopped basil, oregano, thyme, or parsley.
  

  What to Serve with Tuna Pasta Bake

  Looking for the perfect sides to complement your delicious tuna pasta bake? Here are some family-friendly options that home cooks will love:

  Garlic Bread: A classic choice that everyone enjoys. The crunch of the bread and the rich garlic flavor pairs perfectly with the creamy tuna pasta bake.

  Caesar Salad: A fresh Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and a zesty dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the pasta bake.

  Roasted Vegetables: Roast a variety of vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini. The natural sweetness of roasted veggies goes well with the savory flavors of the tuna pasta bake.

  Tomato and Cucumber Salad: This simple, fresh salad with juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers offers a light and refreshing side that won't overpower the main dish.

  Caprese Salad: Slices of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze make for a colorful and tasty side.

  Steamed Broccoli: Quick and easy to prepare, steamed broccoli is a healthy option that adds color and nutrients to your dinner table.

  

  Tuna Pasta Bake with Tomato Sauce

  Looking for an easy, budget-friendly dinner idea? Try this delicious tuna pasta bake made with just four ingredients including tomato sauce and melty cheese. Perfect for meal prepping and feeding the family without breaking the bank.

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  Course: Main Course

  Cuisine: American

  Keyword: Tuna Pasta Bake, Tuna Pasta Bake with Tomato Sauce

  Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

  Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

  Servings: 6

  Calories: 461kcal

  Ingredients

  • 16 ounces rigatoni pasta uncooked
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce store-bought
  • 15 ounces canned chunk tuna (3-5 ounce cans) packed in water drained
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

  Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. When the water begins to boil, add the pasta and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes under the suggested time on the package. Then, drain and rinse your al dente pasta and return it to the pan.
  • Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish greased with cooking spray.
  • Add the remaining sauce to the pot with the pasta.
  • Stir to mix the sauce into the pasta and pour half the noodles into the pan.
  • Top with half the tuna and 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
  • Add the remaining pasta, tuna, and cheese to the pan in that order.
  • Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown. Allow the pasta bake to rest for around 3 minutes before serving.

  Nutrition

  Calories: 461kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 788mg | Potassium: 534mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 868IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 298mg | Iron: 2mg