Description
This creamy tuna pasta is a quick and satisfying meal, combining hearty miniature penne with tender tuna and a rich cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups miniature penne pasta
- 1 (5-ounce) can tuna in olive oil
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
- fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped, optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Open the tuna and drain thoroughly. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- In a large 10-inch nonstick pan, pour in 2 cups uncooked pasta, drained tuna, milk, water, butter, mustard powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper to taste; I add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, stir, then cover with lid. Reduce heat to low or just a few notches above low to keep the mixture lightly bubbling but not at a rolling boil.
- Allow to simmer until pasta is completely cooked and the liquid has evaporated (about 10–15 minutes, depending on your stovetop heat; check at 10 minutes). During the cooking time, stir the ingredients every 5–7 minutes to keep pasta from sticking to the bottom. While pasta is simmering, grate the cheese.
- Once the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat. Stir in grated cheese until melted. Once melted, add in frozen peas and stir to warm through.
- Add salt and pepper to taste as well as any other additional seasonings (more garlic powder, paprika, etc.). Enjoy while hot. If desired, garnish individual serves with freshly chopped parsley and/or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Notes
- Note 1: You can use any small pasta shape if miniature penne is not available.
- Note 2: Whole milk is recommended for creaminess, but you can use any milk you prefer.
- Note 3: Sharp Cheddar cheese adds a nice flavor, but feel free to use your favorite cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg