Corned beef pasta bake – this easy recipe for a pasta bake with corned beef can be made ahead of time, kept in the fridge or freezer and then baked for a family friendly winter warming dish. Make a double batch of the corned beef ragu for a baked potato filling. Cook once and eat twice.
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Corned Beef Pasta Bake
I love an easy filling winter recipe that can be made ahead of time. When the weather gets cold you want something simple but satisfying. My corned beef pasta bake recipe ticks all the boxes – easy to make, frugal, warming, adaptable to cater for everyone’s taste and make ahead.
You can even make a double batch of the corned beef ragu and freeze and use later as a baked potato topper, in a bread roll as a pulled chicken sloppy joe , corned beef Sloppy Joe, or even as a meaty pizza topping!
A good Corned Beef Pasta Bake is perfect for after a winter walk – make in advance (you can even freeze this before you cook and serve – simply allow to defrost in the fridge before baking) – then put into the oven to cook when you return home. Ring the changes by using different types and shapes of pasta, I like to use tri-colour pasta to make it look more interesting, or wholegrain.
You can easily make this dish gluten free by using a gluten free pasta, or even make an oven baked risotto by substituting the pasta with almost cooked rice. When making a pasta bake I usually make a big family sized dish and a couple of individual dishes for an ideal prep ahead single portion supper.
Top tips for making delicious pasta bakes
- To avoid soggy pasta slightly under cook the pasta by a few minutes – you want the consistency to be the chewy side of al dente.
- Be generous with the sauce for a better dish – you can easily bulk it out with an extra can of tomatoes and a handful of sweetcorn.
- Add a little water when cooking for the pasta to soak up.
- Top with half the cheese when you cook, then add the other half a few minutes before the end of the cooking time, it seems far cheesier this way.
- If you have the freezer space and the spare dishes make a double batch, wrap well and freeze and allow to defrost for 24 hours in the fridge before serving.
I used Princes Corned beef for this Corned Beef Pasta Bake recipe – it is the nation’s favourite corned beef – one can will feed 6 with this recipe. It is such a versatile ingredient which I’ve used lots in the past, so much more than the popular corned beef sandwich or hash – although both are delicious!
Love corned beef? Then check out my Corned Beef Potato Cakes.
Easy Corned Beef Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the corned beef pasta bake sauce (ragu)
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 onion (peeled and chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled and chopped)
- 3 rashers bacon (chopped)
- 1 red pepper (deseeded and sliced)
- 1/2 tsp dried chillis (optional)
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (or bottle of pasatta)
- 340 g Princes corned beef (1 can) (diced)
To assemble the bake
- 250 g pasta (any small shapes)
- 100 g cheddar or other hard cheese (grated)
Instructions
Corned Beef Pasta Bake Sauce (Ragu)
- Pour the olive oil into a large frying pan, add the onion and bacon, and fry, After a couple of minutes, add the garlic and cook until the onion is starting to turn golden.
- Add the pepper, season with pepper and salt and fry until soft.
- Add the canned tomatoes, the chilli and cook for about 5 minutes. The sauce will start to reduce and thicken.
- Once the sauce has thickened add in the corned beef. Stir and cook for few more minutes until you have a rich thick corned beef sauce.
Corned Beef Pasta Bake
- While the sauce is cooking, bring a large pan of water to the boil, salt well, add the pasta and cook for a few minutes less than the time on the packet instructions.
- Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Return to the pan and stir in the corned beef pasta bake sauce. Add a few spoons of the cooking water if needed to loosen the mixture.
- Transfer to a shallow oven proof dish. Sprinkle with half the cheese, reserving the rest.
- Bake at 160°C fan / Gas Mark 4 for 15–20 minutes if cooking right away, or for about 30 minutes if cooking from chilled. When you have about five minutes left to go, add the rest of the cheese and cook until golden and piping hot throughout.
Notes
- Make a double batch so that you have some left for the freezer. When you plan to cook from frozen, allow to defrost for 24 hours in the fridge before baking.
- The corned beef pasta sauce is also delicious served in a baked potato, in a bread roll as a corned Beef Sloppy Joe, or even on a pizza base. Again, the sauce can be frozen.
- Make gluten free with gluten free pasta, or make use the sauce to make a baked risotto.
- This recipe is 14 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
Recipe for Corned Beef Pasta Bake commissioned by Princes. All opinions our own.
Simon
Oh my gosh that looks fantastic! I bet it’s just as good as leftovers.
Helen
it is so good reheated!
Charli
My Grandad used to feed me corned beef sandwhiches whenever looking after me but I haven’t had this for years and years. Adding it to pasta is such a great idea!
C x
Helen
the memories of corned beef sandwiches!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Sounds like a fantastic dish to have on hand when you’re going to be busy! Make ahead meals are exactly what I enjoy and that way I can relax since the main dish is done. I don’t believe we have your brand of corned beef but I’ll check it out anyway.
Helen
I love make ahead meals and batch cooking. It makes life so much easier.
Veena Azmanov
I have not eaten corned beef in years! I use to eat it often when i lived alone and was lazy to cook. This brings back memories. I must try this soon. Looks so good.
Helen
Its funny how it always does being back so many memories.
Jenny
I love the sound of this, it’s a great way to use corned beef (which I’ve loved since I was a child!).
Helen
Corned beef is a staple here!
Jolina
This is just the dish we need! We’ve been under a deep freeze for weeks. We’re in dire need of cozy comfy food like this. Also thanks for the tip about the cheese! The cheesier the better!
Helen
Always the cheesier the better!
Patty @ Spoonabilities
Make ahead meals are the best! Isn’t it such a great feeling knowing you don’t need to rush around in the kitchen after a long day!?
Helen
nothing like coming home and whacking your pre-prepared supper in the oven
Julie
This looks like such a filling, decadent dinner – so perfect for a frigid cold winter night like tonight. Can’t think of a better way to warm up from all the snow!
Helen
It is the perfect way to warm up in the winter.
Sues
I love the idea of this! My husband is a huge fan of corned beef, so this is right up his alley!!
Helen
Corned beef is so good in a bake like this
Pooja Nadkarni
Looks lovely – a great use of corned beef!
Helen
Thanks Pooja! We do like corned beef here!
Tiffany
What a great idea to used corned beef! I have never thought to replace regular beef like that. It looks amazing!! I love the idea of having a nice warm pasta ready after a walk too!
Helen
Corned beef is such a useful store cupboard staple.
Stephanie Merry
I love that you can cook once but eat twice with this recipe – as it’s normally just me, it means I can have it for lunch the next day too x
Helen
pasta bake leftovers are perfect for lunch!
Alan Moore
Easy to get ingredients and straightforward to make. I’m doing a great collection of recipes and this one will be added. Thank you.
And I just spotted the Corn Beef Pasties in your related articles, superb.
Helen
I am all about the easy and make ahead!
Rebecca Smith
I would never have thought to put corned beef in a pasta bake but it sounds delicious! I might have to make this for the family next week!
Helen
It is so good!
Natasha Mairs
My kids are really big pasta fans and I think they would love this corned beef pasta bake
Helen
Pasta bake really is the best!
Shoshana Sue
I have two tins of corned beef in my house that I have kept for a long time for lack of what to do with them. This looks amazing and I will try it out over the weekend. I love that it is frugal and easy to prepare!
Helen
it is such a good store cupboard ingredient!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
We love pasta here. The perfect comfort food. I don’t even remember the last time I had canned corned beef. Does bring back some food memories for sure. Sounds like it works well in this dish.
Helen
Corned beef is such a nostalgic product isn’t it?
Denise Wright
I’m always looking for make ahead dishes that I can pull out of the freezer. This looks delicious and I love your tips too!
Helen
Making a pasta bake ahead and freezing was a revelation to me!
chichi
Leaving the pasta a little undercooked is a great tip, will try it over the weekend with chicken.
Helen
Leaving the pasta undercooked is guaranteed to make a better pasta bake. Little tricks which make recipes better!
Kara
Hubby loves corned beef so would adore this. It would be a good dish to take to work
Helen
In the days when I had an office job I frequently took a pasta bake to reheat for my lunch
Michelle
This looks and sounds amazing. Sign me up!
Helen
I love a corned beef pasta bake
Claire
I would recommend that salt doesn’t need to be added as the corned beef has enough salt.
Helen
Hi Claire, Of course adjust the salt you your taste and needs, I quite like salt and probably have a bit too much