Pasta Bake takes only 5 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook. You can even cook the night before, reheat and eat. A great winter dish to feed the flat or lunch time leftovers.
Preparation time: 5 mins Cooking time: 30 mins Serves: 4 Total cost: $12-$15 approx* (*depending on protein choice)
Ingredients:
250g pasta
2 Tbspn butter or oil
1 small, diced onion (either red or brown)
2 Tbspn plain flour (or cornflour)
2 Cups milk
Salt & pepper
370g can tuna (or 400g cooked chicken or bacon)
2 cups grated cheese
1-2 cups frozen mixed veges, or fresh seasonal diced veges e.g., courgette, broccoli
Method: Heat oven to 180c. Cook pasta in boiling salted water as per packet instructions. Add veges to pasta to cook in boiling water at same time. Drain well and set aside.
Cheese sauce: Melt butter in large saucepan. Add onion and cook for 2-3 mins. Stir in flour and mix well. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until sauce boils and thickens. Stir in half the cheese. Add salt & pepper to suit.
Open tuna can/s and drain oil or water out. Add tuna, pasta and veges into the saucepan with the cheese sauce. Stir to mix.
Pour mixture into a big ovenproof dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top and bake in oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Tip
• Add a can of pasta sauce instead of making the cheese sauce for a non-dairy option
