Tuna and Rigatoni Bake
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 6
🍽️ Yield: N/A
🍲 Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
🔍 Keywords: Lunch/Snacks, Tuna, Kid Friendly, Potluck, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Description:
This Tuna and Rigatoni Bake is a go-to recipe, especially when I have my sons’ friends over for the weekend. It’s a fantastic make-ahead dish that I can simply pop in the oven when needed. With growing boys around, I always aim for something hearty and filling, and this dish never fails to satisfy their appetites. I love serving it alongside some grilled tomatoes drizzled with a touch of balsamic vinegar and plenty of crusty Italian bread.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can tomatoes with herbs
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 can tuna in water, drained
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 3 oz parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh thyme, for garnish
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 500.4
- Fat: 23.1g
- Saturated Fat: 10.8g
- Cholesterol: 105.2mg
- Sodium: 582.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 41.1g
- Fiber: 1.9g
- Sugar: 1.8g
- Protein: 31.2g
Instructions:
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Cook Pasta: In a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni pasta for about 15 minutes until “al dente”. Drain and keep warm.
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Prepare Tuna Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in ground turmeric, bay leaf, canned tomatoes with herbs, tomato puree, and drained tuna. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
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Make Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually pour in the milk, bringing it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a minute, stirring continuously. Stir in 2 oz of grated parmesan cheese until melted, then remove from heat.
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Layering: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 3-quart ovenproof dish with non-stick spray. Begin layering the dish with 1/3 of the cooked pasta, followed by 1/3 of the tuna sauce, and then a layer of the cheese sauce. Continue layering with the sauces and pasta, finishing with a layer of cheese sauce on top.
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Bake: Sprinkle the remaining grated parmesan cheese over the top layer of cheese sauce. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
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Serve: Once baked, remove the Tuna and Rigatoni Bake from the oven. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve hot.
This Tuna and Rigatoni Bake is not only delicious and satisfying but also incredibly easy to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when entertaining a crowd. Enjoy the hearty flavors and comforting textures of this family-friendly dish!
