Creamy Curry Tuna Pasta Bake
Creamy Curry Tuna Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 12 ounces canned tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
For the Creamy Curry Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, prepare the creamy curry sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Whisk in the all-purpose flour, curry powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms and smells fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Add the cooked macaroni, drained tuna, and frozen peas to the creamy curry sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta bake, followed by the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pasta bake is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 11
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the bake to set slightly.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Curry Tuna Pasta Bake
For the Pasta Bake
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 12 ounces canned tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
For the Creamy Curry Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, prepare the creamy curry sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Whisk in the all-purpose flour, curry powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms and smells fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Add the cooked macaroni, drained tuna, and frozen peas to the creamy curry sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta bake, followed by the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pasta bake is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 11
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the bake to set slightly.
⏱️ 5 min