One of my goals for 2015 was to eat cleaner, and I figure an easy way to do this is to incorporate options like fish into my diet since it’s such a healthy food. For today’s post, I’m talking canned tuna, specifically, because it’s ridiculously nutritious and convenient. When trying to think of a dish to make with tuna, I immediately thought about creating a cheesy pasta concoction. So that’s exactly what I did.
This post is dedicated to the new, tuna-filled recipe that has officially been added to our collection of healthy dinner ideas. By using Bumble Bee tuna, I threw together a simple, tasty dish that even the pickiest of eaters should like.
To make this White Cheddar Tuna Pasta, I used rotini since it’s a type of pasta that I always have on hand—plus, it has a lot of nooks and crannies to trap the gooey cheese. The cheese sauce is the most labor-intensive part of this recipe, and it doesn’t take more than about five minutes to prepare. Then it’s as simple as mixing in the drained tuna and frozen peas, and then heating it a bit longer to make sure everything is warm and coated in the white cheddar.
You could adjust this recipe in so many different ways, but it’s a good base that works for a tasty and quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. uncooked rotini pasta (or the pasta of your choice)
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbs all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups milk (I use 2%)
- 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted
- 5 oz. Bumble Bee tuna
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Optional: cajun seasoning (for an added kick)
- Garnish: fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- To begin the cheese sauce, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large sauce pan. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes (until it just starts to brown). Stir in the flour, cooking for another couple minutes.
- Whisk in the milk a little bit at a time, until it is incorporated. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the cheeses until they have melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the cooked, drained pasta in with the cheese; stir. Add the peas and tuna, mixing again.
- Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley.
Aside from the obvious deliciousness that white cheddar offers this dish, I’m pretty pumped to have a dinner option that uses tuna now. I’ve always known it was packed full of protein and nutrients, but I’ve never had a go-to dish that actually utilized the ingredient, until now.
You can buy Bumble Bee tuna in a can or pouch, and it’s a pretty versatile option, whether you want a snack, lunch, or dinner option. It’s full of lean protein, healthy fats, and a variety of vitamins and minerals, so you know you’re gettin’ your healthy on.
What’s your favorite dish to make with tuna?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
I love just throwing a can of tuna (or salmon or sardines) mashed up with salsa, avocado, and all the veggies! O and nooch!
Oo interesting. I’ve never thought about mixing it into a salsa-like concoction. Sounds super healthy!
This looks delicious! I don’t eat enough fish throughout the week, and this would be a great start to getting proper nutrition 🙂 thanks for sharing!
My pleasure! Hope it’s to your liking. 🙂
Wow haven’t made a tuna casserole in a long time! I am a veg but the only thing I eat is tuna.
Yep, tuna casserole was the first tuna dish that came to mind, so I figured I’d make a stovetop version of it. 🙂
Cooking these healthy pasta is a great idea next to Christmas extras !