Tuna Pasta Bake

Tuna Pasta Bake
A homey warming dish of Tuna and pasta topped with a rich tomato sauce and Mozzarella Cheese and baked till golden.

Ingredients of Tuna Pasta Bake
* 1 can (185g) Tuna (reserve brine)
* 1 can (400g) Tomatoes chopped
* 1 small Onion chopped
* 200g Mozzarella sliced
* 200g Farfalle
* 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
* 3 Garlic cloves crushed
* Salt to season
* Black pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons Sugar
* 1 tablespoon Malt Vinigar reduction
* 1 tablespoon Oregano
* 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
* 4 tablespoons Mayonnaise*
* 2 tablespoons Pesto (optional)
* 1/2 tablespoon Tomato Pure
* 50g Parmesan grated

Preparation of Tuna Pasta Bake
Turn on your oven and preheat to 200c

Start by making the tomato sauce.

In a heavy bottomed saucepan add the olive oil and bring to a low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook gently until softened and without colour (about 10 minutes). Add the crushed garlic and oregano and continue to cook for a further minute keeping the heat low. Next add the malt vinegar and reduce until almost completely evaporated.

Add the tuna brine, turn up the heat and reduce until almost completely evaporated. There should be almost no liquid left at this stage, but the contents of the pan should be moist. Turn the gas down again to a low heat.

In goes the tomato pure, mixing in briskly with a wooden spoon. Cook the tomatoe pure until you see the oil begin to separate. Back up with the heat.

Add the can of tomatoes and simmer on a medium heat, slightly reducing to the consistency of ketchup. Season with salt, black pepper and sugar. (Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary)

Meanwhile cook the pasta until slightly underdone. Warm through a shallow oven proof dish in the preheated oven.

Drain the pasta and return to the pan. Gently combine the tuna, mayonnaise, pesto and parmesan.

Transfer the pasta and tuna mix to the warmed shallow oven proof dish and pour over the tomato sauce.

Top with the sliced Mozzarella and sprinkle with the chopped parsley. Reserve a little parsley for garnishing before serving.

Bake for about 25 minutes until the Mozzarella has melted and golden in colour.

Sprinkle with the reserved parsley and serve with a crisp green salad, crusty bread and a glass of your favourite wine or beer.

Category: Spring Season Food