Tuna and Pesto Pasta Bake

Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly flavorful, this Tuna and Pesto Pasta Bake is the perfect weeknight dinner that combines convenience with gourmet taste. Featuring tender penne pasta coated in a rich pesto and heavy cream sauce, it’s loaded with flaked tuna, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a golden layer of bubbling mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. With just 15 minutes of prep and a quick bake, this one-dish wonder delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Garnished with fresh basil for a fragrant finish, this comforting casserole is a crowd-pleaser that makes leftovers equally delightful.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams Penne pasta
• 2 cans Canned tuna in olive oil
• 120 grams Green pesto
• 200 milliliters Heavy cream
• 150 grams Cherry tomatoes
• 100 grams Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 5 leaves Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes to keep the pasta slightly firm. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 4

Add the heavy cream and pesto to the skillet, stirring to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

Step 5

Drain the canned tuna and flake it into the skillet. Stir in the tuna, halved cherry tomatoes, and cooked pasta. Gently mix everything together to ensure the pasta is well-coated in the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6

Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch (or similarly sized) baking dish.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the pasta.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with a golden-brown crust.

Step 9

Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 10

Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving. Enjoy your Tuna and Pesto Pasta Bake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1289.7 grams (1289.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3532

Total Fat 208.10g	267%
Saturated Fat 80.20g	401%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 518mg	173%
Sodium 6193mg	269%
Total Carbohydrate 239.70g	87%
Dietary Fiber 15.10g	54%
Total Sugars 7.70g
Protein 161.50g	323%

Vitamin D 680IU	3400%
Calcium 1528mg	118%
Iron 20mg	110%
Potassium 2115mg	45%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.9%

Protein: 18.6%

Carbs: 27.6%