One of the reasons that I started this site was that I believe good food is one of the most important contributions to a good life with good health. I am positive that everyone can learn to cook and eat well, even on a limited budget. Meal planning is a great way to eat well whist saving money and minimising food waste.
I made this quick video of this very easy recipe for a tuna penne pasta bake from Sainsbury’s Live Well for Less easy meal plan. It makes a very generous amount (more than enough for 4) and is incredibly quick and easy to make. As well as this dish there are a number of others, equally easy to make and lots of tips and help on making your own meal plans.
A few Fuss Free Tips and thoughts on the recipe
- Freeze extra fresh pasta then simply cook from frozen
- I thought that there was too much sauce – again freeze leftovers in tubs
- Freeze leafy fresh herbs in bags, crumble and add into sauces
- You can substitute frozen sweetcorn for canned or substitute peas
- I was very pleased to see that Sainsbury’s basics tuna is sustainable and rod and line caught
- Try fried and chopped bacon in place of the tuna, or leftover cold roast chicken
- Chop and fry an onion, garlic, peppers for extra colour, flavour and vegetables
- Bulk out the dish and add extra protein by adding a (drained and rinsed) tin of chickpeas
- Spice it up with a pinch of chilli
- Make a well in the pasta and crack an egg or two in before baking
- Bake a cake at the same time as cooking the pasta bake to maximise use of the oven
- Leftover pasta bake makes an excellent packed lunch – pack into a plastic tub and reheat gently in the microwave
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Great recipe for a quick weeknight supper. Good to know that the tuna, despite being basics range, is responsibly and ethically sourced :)
I was really impressed that it was sustainably source.
Love tuna pasta bake – there’s something so old school and basic and comforting about it! And you’ve even managed to make it look super classy with the herbs on top!
Thanks Kerry. Nothing like a retro dish!
My kind of supper! Never thought of using fresh pasta for a fast pasta bake, it would certainly cut some of the time down.
I would think that it you add some extra liquid fresh pasta would not even need pre cooking.
You can’t beat a pasta bake in this weather and the boys adore tuna, so I really must make this as I’ve not done one for ages. Loving all your extra tips too :-)
Love pasta bakes. So so easy.
I didn’t realise you could freeze cooked pasta. Now I think about it though it makes sense since you can freeze lasagna. This is exactly the kind of thing I’d want to have in the freezer for cold eveing when I just can’t be bothered.
I am the freezer queen. You need to be careful about reheating so it does not go too soggy, but I freeze pasta all the time. Also great for work lunches.
Another great pasta bake recipe, I really need to start making them more often, my girls love tuna and pasta so would definitely enjoy your bake! :)