Italian Tuna Pasta Bake

Submitted by PSU Lioness

"This is definitely not your grandmother's tuna casserole. Rotini pasta, tomatoes, spinach and a rich, cheesy white sauce update this classic, and prove irresistible. You can also bake this in individual ramekins and freeze so it can be reheated for a quick, personal meal. Recipe is from Disney's Family Fun website."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 2 cups fusilli (or any other kind of pasta)
• 1⁄2 onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 (14 ounce) can low-sodium tomato soup, condensed
• 1 pinch mixed herbs
• 1 -2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (7 ounce) can tuna, drained and flaked
• fresh ground black pepper

• White Sauce with Spinach

• 1⁄2 onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• one and a quarter cups milk
• 2 cups Baby Spinach, chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated, plus a little extra for the topping

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and refresh in cold water to stop it from over cooking.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the onion until soft.
4. Stir the corn flour into the water until dissolved, then add to the onion pan along with the tomato soup.
5. Bring to a boil, add the herbs and then cook gently, stirring for five minutes.
6. Mix in the flaked tuna and heat through. Season to taste.
7. Mix into cooked pasta.
8. For the cheese and spinach sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the onion until transparent.
9. Add the flour and continue stirring the mixture all the time.
10. Gradually pour in the milk and keep stirring until the sauce is thickened and smooth.
11. Add the chopped spinach and stir until wilted.
12. Remove from the heat and stir in the 2 c grated Cheddar cheese.
13. Grease a baking dish and add the tuna and tomato mixed with the pasta, and then pour the spinach sauce over top.
14. Sprinkle with some grated Cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden.
15. This can also be frozen. Assemble casserole but do not sprinkle with cheese or bake. Thaw in refrigerator before baking. Sprinkle with cheese and bake according to normal instructions.