Tuna Pasta Bake

Pasta bake has to be my favourite comfort food, there's nothing nicer than a huge dish of pasta covered in bubbling sauce and crispy cheese. This is the recipe I make whenever I want a quick and easy dinner that will ensure I'm full up after. It takes hardly any effort as it's just a case of putting everything in a dish and then baking it, perfect for recharging after a busy day. 

There are loads of ways this recipe could be adapted: maybe try chunks of cooked chicken and peppers, or bacon bits with a Stilton cheese sauce instead of Cheddar. 

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Ingredients
(serves 2-3)


1 185g tin of tuna (salmon works well too)
Pasta
Frozen brocolli & cauliflower
1 small onion
1-2 tomatoes
Oil

For the cheese sauce:
30g plain flour
30g butter
400ml milk
60g Cheddar cheese & extra to top

-Cook the pasta, brocolli and cauliflower according to pack instructions. Drain and set aside.

   

-Finely chop the onion and fry over a low heat with some oil until soft. Place into the dish you'll be using for the pasta bake.

-To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a pan then stir in the flour until it makes a paste.
-Add the milk and some salt and pepper to taste. Heat through, stirring constantly.

-Add the cheese and cook through until the sauce reaches a smooth, thick consistency, thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
-Place the pasta and vegetables into the pasta bake dish.
-Drain the tuna and flake into the dish. Pour the sauce over everything, and stir it all together until evenly coated.

-Slice the tomato and lay on the top of the pasta. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top.

-Bake in the oven for about 30-40minutes at 200C until bubbling and golden brown.

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