Description
This One Pan Cheesy Tuna Pasta is a quick and comforting meal made in a single skillet, combining tender pasta, flaky tuna, and creamy cheesy sauce. Ideal for busy weeknights, it features simple pantry ingredients cooked all together for effortless cleanup and delicious flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 litre hot water
- 400 g can chopped tomatoes
- Pinch of sugar
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 350 g pasta
Protein & Dairy
- 290 g tinned tuna (2 x 145 g cans), drained and flaked
- 150 g créme fraîche
- 200 g grated mozzarella (shredded)
Optional for Babies & Toddlers
- Use baby-friendly pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni
- Hold back salt until after removing their portion
- Omit mozzarella for their serving
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and fry gently for 6-8 minutes until they become soft and translucent, forming a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the hot water and canned chopped tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance acidity. Stir well to combine all ingredients in the pan.
- Cook Pasta: Increase the heat to high, add the pasta to the sauce mixture, and stir thoroughly. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a medium heat and let it simmer with a rolling boil for about 14 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish with Tuna and Cheese: Remove the pan from the heat. Flake the drained tuna into the pasta and gently stir in the créme fraîche to create a creamy texture. Finally, fold through the shredded mozzarella until melted and combined evenly.
- Serve and Adjust for Babies/Toddlers: For younger children, choose suitable pasta shapes and omit salt and cheese from their portions. Add these ingredients after removing their servings.
Notes
- The recipe is flexible for fussy eaters; use passata or finely chopped tomatoes instead of chunks for a smoother sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- When reheating frozen portions, add a little water to maintain creaminess and heat thoroughly, stirring halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
