Tuna pasta bake for kids
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Try this quick, cheap and tasty fish recipe, as a teatime meal to cook for all the family...even fussy eaters will love it!
- Prep Time 10 mins
- Cook Time 35 mins
- Serves 4
- Difficulty Level Easy
Preparation
- Total Time 45 mins
- Preparation Time 10 mins
- Cooking Time 35 mins
- 300g pasta, dried
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 garlic (clove), crushed
- 160g tuna
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp oregano, dried
- 100g cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Cook pasta for 2 minutes less than the instructions on the packet and drain
- Preheat oven to 180'C/Gas mark 4
- Use olive oil or oil from your tuna if you have some - pour into a pan and fry some onion and garlic
- Pour away the rest of the oil, add the tuna to the pan, and heat through and mix up for a minute
- Add the chopped tomatoes, herbs and some black pepper - cook for 5-10 minutes
- Add to the cooked pasta
- Pile into an oven dish and top with grated cheese
- Bake for 20-30 minutes
You will need
Frying pan - Specially designed by Jamie Oliver for Tefal, this is the perfect all-rounder frying pan. See more details here at Amazon.
Oven dish - This durable baking/roasting (or even serving) dish is 26 x 18cm, which makes it ideal for bakes, casseroles and pies. See more details here at Amazon.
Tips
Older kids can help with chopping the veg and grating the cheese, while even toddlers can help you sprinkle the cheese on top.
This keeps in the fridge for a few days, or even longer in the freezer. Reheat in the microwave, and be sure it's piping hot throughout before serving. (Pro tip: add extra cheese on top after reheating to keep the scrummy cheesy flavour).
We haven't included any salt in our recipe, as too much salt isn't good for toddlers and young kids. If older kids or adults find the taste a little bland, feel free to add salt to individual portions instead.
Variations
- Try adding a tablespoon of half-fat crème fraiche to make a creamier tuna pasta bake
- Stir some shredded mozzarella through the pasta before whacking it in the oven; this makes a gloriously gooey, cheesy pasta bake
- Making this for adults? Add a small amount of red wine to the sauce
- For extra taste add sweetcorn and/or mushrooms, or a stock cube to the pasta water
- If you don't like tuna, the same recipe works really well with any kind of fish or seafood, or even chopped up bacon or Quorn pieces – the only limit is your imagination!
- For a crispy top, pop a couple of slices of bread in a blender along with the cheese, and use to make a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
- Instead of a bake, keep it simple and mix it all in a big bowl
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Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 27 ratingsRate this recipe
Julia H(465)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
What is a great recipe. I will try it. It looks great and delicious. https://solitairespider.co/ online
Laura S(100)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Great recipe and my kids love it. The best way to have some fish!
Mary A(221)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Interesting
Polly L(45)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
A complete go-to; we have this at least a few times a month, and everyone loves it!
Sarah S(4625)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Great recipe from store cupboards ingredients. I just add a big squirt of ketchup to counteract bitterness of tomatoes.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
I made this for me and mum and found it really simple and tasty so happy I pleased her
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
My two-year-old finished his plate- winner! Thank you!
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
simple easy to do meal that all the family love
Beverley C(146)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Straight away i wanted to try this reciepe out and i must say i wasn't disappointed, the children loved it so much there was nothing left for me and my husband!..So while they are off out with their grandparents i made another one just for us :) and i can see why they didn't leave anything.. It's so tasty and nutritious..and so easy to create which is great when you are pushed for time.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
So handy on a cold evening
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4
Great recipe - my husband, daughter and MIL loved it ! The recipe doesn't mention salt but it tastes better with a pinch.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
cheap, quick and easy the perfect meal
VG.G
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
one of my childrens favourite meals!!
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Really quick and easy to make! My kids absolutely love this dinner!
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Always a winner as guaranteed kids will eat it and takes little time or energy to make!
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Simple and quick to make. Very tasty ive got a feeling this will become a family favourite
louise d(358)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4
I'm working my way through some of the recipes on here, to try and get some new family favourites. This is definitely one of them, even my fussy 6yr old was tucking in. I stirred some fresh baby spinach through, as had some that needed using up. So quick & easy too.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Really nice, easy budget recipe. I add some cream cheese and use homemade pasata (veggies & tinned tomatoes slow cooked and blended) to make it more nutritious. Also add peas & sweetcorn. My 2.5 year old and husband love this, as do I - a weekly staple for us!
Gill A(17)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4
Easy and tasty.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
really tasty . got top marks for oh and the kids :)
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4
The kids loved this recipe. I just put it in a bol with sweet-corns, tomatoe sauce (with oigons and oregan and garlic). They absolutely loved it!!!!! Thank you
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
It really was very easy and quick to make, and you can do it in different variations, with more veg thrown in - peas, sweetcorn, asparagus... the list is endless :-) The kids loved it, and they usually turn their nose up at tuna.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Tried it first time with for my 1 yo and now cook it on a regular bais. It's lovely and quick!
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
This went down well in our house with my 2 and 5 year olds and my husband took the leftovers to work! I added some spinach too which worked really well. Will definitely make again.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Lovely recipe, I added frozen peas too for more veg and a bit of colour.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4
So simple yet so delicious, enjoyed by all. I used tinned chopped tomatoes - my staple sore cupboard ingredient - and it worked a treat.
Guest
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5
Hi. I used a tin of tomatoes instead and it went down very well - clean plates all round include the 2 from the play dates! Have frozen the left overs for another day.
Guest
I used the dried mixed herbs in tis recipie and really disliked it, i use it for lots of other dishes but wish i didn't with this as gave it a funny taste otherwise would of been really lovely. Im sure its a preference thing! Very nice recipe
Amy C(807)
Tried this today for dinner, really simple and very tasty. It was a big hit with my 20 month old, I shall be making it again :)
Guest
Serious budget shopping & cooking at the mo following lots of unexpected outgoings, thought would try this & my OH originally said that he wasn't looking forward to dinner as it sounded boring but after 2 mouthfuls it became a firm favourite for him! Lovely jubbly!
Guest
I do a big batch and freeze for a couple of easy dinners in the week. Great way of sneaking in extra veggies I add peas.
Guest
Made this and went down a treat for all. Definitely one to do again
Guest
Made this for dinner today, it was lovely!
Nicolette W
Thank you also from me Judith, it does sound like an excellent idea!
Guest
Thank you Judith I will do the same I think. It sounds like a good idea :) xxx
Guest
I used to make the tomato/tuna sauce and freeze that by itself. Then all you have to do is cook some pasta when you are ready. Or I have done it with tiny pasta shells and froze the whole lot.
Guest
I am going to try this later and wondered if it was freezable? X
Guest
I Made this the other night and my family loved it, will definitley be making it again.
Guest
Lovely receipe. I added some double cream and red wine to it. Lush!
Guest
try stirring in a tin of mixed veg to up the Vegetable intake :)
Guest
Made this tonight but for 3 of us so used 2 tins of tuna, had some black olives left over in the fridge and so added them too... also mixed a dollop of philadelphia into my pasta before mixing altogether to make it a bit creamier... served with a green salad and garlic bread it was lovely!! :-)
Guest
Is this kind of recipe ok to freeze?
Collette P(11)
I've been making this for a while now. I use a leek instead of onion and red or yellow pepper. I make a White sauce which I add the tuna to and also put peas and sweetcorn in. I cook the pasta then add a tin of chopped tomatoes to it then mix it all together and normally add grated cheese as well. I rarely bother putting it in the oven but have tonight with grated cheese on top. X
Guest
Made this the other night for the family but added two tablespoons of low-fat natural yogurt - everyone loved it, which is VERY unusual!
natalie w(195)
when i make tuna pasta bake i cut slices of bread up into little squares and place them on top of the past bake and put into the oven, the bread will toast and tastes lovely ontop of the pasta bake, also a much cheaper way then buying crutons :)
Guest
Was delish! To make it creamy and cheesier i added Philadelphia Cheese and Chive to the sauce (and they do a lighter option).
Guest
Empty plates all round. This was delicious.
Guest
Hi, I've been making a similar recipe for about 20 years and it's always a big hit, got it from a magazine. I remember my mum looking at my 1 year old and saying "hmph, he won't eat THAT". She had to eat her words :) if you use fry-light for the onion and garlic and fat free fromage frais instead of creme fraiche, it's 'free' on Slimming World, think I'll make it tonight :)
Guest
I made this tonight, used tinned salmon instead of tuna and added chickpeas and yellow pepper to bulk it out. Kids both polished it off in no time with a lot less messing around than usual. looking forward to seeing the suggestion for tomorrow.
amanda s(616)
oo i love this , my hubbie and son think im a super cook since making this lol, so many thanks
Guest
this was absolutely delicious! I made it for me and my friend and its really low in weight watchers propoints too if you do it right I will be doing this again definately
Chelle
Ive made this a few times and it always goes down really well.Really easy and not at all complicated
Guest
Tried this and the kids LOVED it and hubby too! Added some sausages too!
Guest
How many does this feed? There r 5 of us.
Guest
I love this and make it all the time now, but I agree it can be dry if you only use chopped tomatoes - I now use a carton of passata instead and add a few generous squirts of ketchup as well. I also add an Oxo Italian stock cube after I add the tuna which gives it a lovely flavour.
Guest
It should be fine to freeze. Just make sure you heat it up thoroughly when you take it out, it should be piping hot all the way through. Plus you might want to put some extra cheese on top before reheating it. Lucy
Guest
would this be ok to freeze? Im doing some batch cooking and we love the recipe.
Guest
I love the versatility of this recipe - it's not too fussy & over complicated. My whole family love this & it makes gluten-free pasta taste great!!! Thank you so much!!!
Guest
Until I made this my youngest had always insisted that he did not like tuna, but after eating this he has been completely converted and will eat tuna in whatever form I give to him. My older child and my husband both agreed that they thoroughly enjoyed this.
Guest
I made this today...went down a treat! Thankyou xx
Guest
I tried this last night for my 13 months old daughter and she didnt like it - OH loved it though so not sure why she didnt as she's eaten tuna & pasta before!!
Guest
just made this for my 2 year old and 18 month old they both ate all of it and my 18 month old is a very fussy eater! i added sweetcorn :)
Amy B(160)
Made this today and its yummy! Just dont forget to add some peppers too ! :)
Guest
Absolutely delicious, and easy. I find preparation time (including making the cheese sauce) is 30 minutes. Recommended!
Guest
I make this a lot the whole family loves it. I've also put in sweetcorn or broccoli even spinach, any non root veg works with this. Plus with the topping I mix my cheese with bread crubs to make it extra crunchy, that's the childrens fav bit. If I'm in a hurry I cook everything on the hob as normal and melt 'n' brown the top under the grill. I'm so making this for tea 2moro.
Guest
Lovely...definately needs an extra kick though (we only used creme fraice on this occasion) for us adults!
Guest
this was easy to make and tasty. i found it would have been better if i'd used some creme fraiche as suggested as it was a bit dryer than i'd like. may add an extra tin of tomatoes next time.
Guest
My OH isn't a fish fan, so I sneakly put the tuna in without him knowing. After he said he liked it, I told him, Tehe! Delicious recipe, thanks very much for posting it. Took the rest for my lunch and I felt smug knowing my lunch had very little fat whilst the others munched on the local chippy. =]
Guest
Made this for tea tonight as we forgot to defrost any meat this morning so just wanted something I could make with store cupboard ingredients. I loved it although my little girl wasn't keen. She was tired though so that may have been why she didn't eat. Didn't have anyything in to make it creamy other than dairylea triangles but they worked fine!
Guest
Hi, dont you think that 1 tin oftuna is not enough??
Guest
O dear.. didn't mean to post that.. hadn't finished! Silly computer! Anyway, first recipe I could make using things I already had in the kitchen so thumbs up from me already :D x
Guest
Surely if you are putting it in to bake it will? Anyway the recipe sounds great, going to try it later making lunch for the boyfriend
Guest
Surely if you are putting it in to bake it will? Anyway the recipe sounds great, going to try it later making lunch for the boyfriend
Guest
i am quite obviously in the minority here, but i made this today and my 3 yr old son did not go for it at all - my partner and i thought it was nice (rather than wow). i think i should stick to the eggy version next time
Guest
This is a great dish especially as it is quick and easy, my little boy will eat it just about to try it with bacon for my sick 95 year old grandma will let you knwo how it goes!!
Guest
Mmmmmm... This sounds nice... Going to try it next week for Me and my Daughter
Guest
I have made this recipe but added a splash of milk, olives and a chilli. Yum!
Heather J(3)
As someone who even manages to burn toast I thought I would give this a go beacuse it looked easy, and I have to say a big THANK YOU. I made it for my 2 year old and he loved it!!! To make it interesting I crushed mini cheddars on top of the cheese before putting it in the over and it was delicious.
Guest
My 2 yr old loves this dish and she is normally a really fussy eater!
Guest
Do NOT put wine into this as the alcohol does NOT boil or burn away in such a short space of time!!!
Guest
i made it using 250g of pasta, 2 tuna tins in sunflower oil and a small tin of big giant sweetcorn. turned out lovely, a bit of pasta was left over though, so next time i will use about 220g. also i did not use all the oil from the tins but just enough to fry the onions. great quick recipe.
Guest
Made this last night was so simple and cheap to make the kids loved it and asked me to make it again to put in there lunch box for school 10/10 thanks x
Guest
I make this but put it into a lasagne dish and cover with grated cheese and crushed up ready salted crisps. Its yummy
Guest
What a fab and easy meal.I made this also using creme fraiche as suggested in other comment,made it lovely and creamy,another winner in our household.
Guest
I made this for my housemates (though technically not a mum, living with two men is like having children!), both strapping lads, who absolutely loved it and hoovered it up. Served it with garlic bread and a salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Spot on!
Guest
Have just baked this recipe and it's gone down a treat with my 2 and 1 year old. I'm no Delia in the kitchen and struggle to find different yet simple recipes. Shall be looking at your other recipes. Thanks very much.
Guest
I could cyber kiss all at Net Mums! I'm in the US for 3 months with small kitchen, limited equipment and no cook book eating terrible meals or eating the enormous,unhealthy meals out here....then I came across this section of the site. My daughter, who has barely eaten since we arrived here, ate every last mouthful and the only thing I had to guess was pasta quantity! Brilliant....am going to trawl through now for other recipes now. Any suggestions (no weighing scales...but measuring jug and spoons!)
Guest
silly question - perhaps!! can this dish be frozen? :o) s.x
Guest
I made this recipe tonight for myself and my 9 month old daughter. It was absolutely delicious and so simple to make. My daughter loved it too and yummed it up in no time!!
Guest
I just had this 2night as a quick meal. Simply made it with Tuna,Tomatoes,Onions and Mushrooms and Pasta of course with cheese on top. It was really quick and easy to make. Sometimes the easy things r the best meals hey? Delicious! Thanks netmums!!!
Guest
I made this tonight with sweetcorn and creme fraiche and it was delicious. My 3 year old and husband both enjoyed it. It was easy to prepare, and used store cupboard ingredients. Excellent.
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