This Spanish Tuna Pasta Bake is seriously crazy good. It´s packed with so many great flavors, effortless to make and done in about 30 minutes. Serve it next to a salad and a bottle of Spanish wine for an incredible meal.
The beauty of this pasta bake is that it´s made with simple everyday pantry staples. Of course, some pantry staples change from country to country. Like the cheese I used, which was Manchego cheese, as it´s an everyday cheese in Spain. But you can use any cheese that you like or have on hand.
What really flavors this dish is the sauce. The secret is the Sweet smoked Spanish paprika, which is what gives the sauce that beautiful rich & smoky flavor. You can also add in some chili powder if you want a little heat.
TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: I used penne pasta in this recipe, but you can use any type of pasta you like. The most Important thing is to make sure to check the package instructions on the pasta you´re using. That way it´s perfectly cooked al dente.
Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY NONSTICK FRY PAN
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL
SWEET SMOKED SPANISH PAPRIKA
SPANISH SEA SALT
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Watch the Video Below on How to Make this Spanish Tuna Pasta Bake
Spanish Tuna Pasta Bake | Macarrones con Atun al Horno
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 ml
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.30 grams
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes 400 grams each
- 2 1/4 cups penne pasta 8 oz / 225 grams
- 2 tins tuna in olive oil 4 oz / 115 grams each
- 1 cup grated Manchego cheese 120 grams
- 4 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley (divided) 16 grams
- pinch sea salt
- dash black pepper
Instructions
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Fill a stock pot a little over half ways with cold water, season generously with sea salt and heat with a high heat
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At the same time, heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
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Meanwhile, roughly dice 1 small onion and roughly chop 4 cloves garlic
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After heating the olive oil for a couple of minutes, add in the onion & garlic, mix with the olive oil, after 3 minutes and the onion is translucent, add in 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika, quickly mix together, then add in two 14.5 oz cans of diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp (8 grams) finely chopped parsley and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and simmer on a medium heat
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Once the water comes to a boil in the stock pot, add in 2 1/4 cups penne pasta, cook until al dente (check package instructions)
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Once the pasta is cooked al dente, turn off the heat on the sauce, using a slotted spatula, transfer the pasta into the pan with the sauce, shaking off any excess water
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Drain 2 cans of tuna in olive oil into a sieve with a bowl underneath, flake the tuna and then add into the pan with the pasta & sauce, mix together until well mixed
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Transfer the pasta into a 12 inch x 9 inch (30 cm x 22 cm) casserole dish, making sure it´s all in a flat layer, then finely grate in about 1 cup of Manchego cheese, making sure to coat the entire surface
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Add into a preheated oven, bake + broil option (bottom + top heat), 210 C -410 F, bake until the cheese is fully melted, between 5 to 10 minutes, then remove from the oven
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Sprinkle with the remaining fresh parsley and serve, enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Get the Sweet Smoked Spanish Paprika I used in this Recipe (25% Off your order if you purchase from this link)
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Andrew
16 . Jun . 2024I made this over the weekend at it was so nice and so easy to make. Almost tastes better the a second time when you heat it back up. Can’t wait to try some more of your recipes!
Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
17 . Jun . 2024Leah
18 . Mar . 2024Just wanted to say how thankful I am for this website, I found it a year ago now and have probably made nearly 100 of your recipes by now and they have all turned out perfect. This among others is a favourite of mine, thanks so much for all your hard work!! 🩷
Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
18 . Mar . 2024Irusya
29 . Apr . 2022Your site has been saving me numerous hours of trying to come up with new dishes to make for the family! I almost always have whatever leftover in my fridge, or my pantry to make affordable, healthy, simple yet incredibly delicious dishes within the hour before dinner! I absolutely love your recipes!
Thank You!
Please keep up your work!
Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that!!! Much love 🙂
29 . Apr . 2022Luria
Greek Easter is now over and so are all of the leftovers. I made your Spanish Tuna Pasta Bake last night and my husband looked at me and said “this is nice”…….trust me, that was a big compliment coming from him. IT WAS TERRIFIC and so easy to make. Thank you again!!!!!
28 . Apr . 2022Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that!! Thanks for the comment 🙂 much love
28 . Apr . 2022John Terry
26 . Apr . 2022Divided the recipe in two, but kept the 2 cans of tuna. It was amazing!! Loved the flavor and the manchego cheese was SO delicious but next time I will try a different cheese just to cut down on the saturated fat/cholesterol content.
Spain on a Fork
Glad you enjoyed the dish! Much love 🙂
26 . Apr . 2022Victoria
23 . Apr . 2022I made this for dinner last night and it was delicious! I made it in my cast iron pan. Thank you for sharing this. I will definitely be making this again. I look forward to trying your next recipe!
Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that! Much love 🙂
25 . Apr . 2022Luria
15 . Apr . 2022I can already see that it’s going to be an incredible dish. I have to wait until after Easter(Greek Easter isn’t for another week after your Easter) to have the cheese I want and the thought of the Smoked Spanish Paprika to the sauce BLEW my mind. I have wanted to thank so for so many other recipes over these months with covid lockdowns and restrictions. My husband and I LOVE your ideas and again, thank you for this one now. Will tell you how I KNOW I will love it in another week. Happy Easter to you and all those who follow your incredible cooking and recipes.
Spain on a Fork
Happy Easter! Thanks for the comment 🙂 much love
15 . Apr . 2022Ramya
cant wait to make this soon for me can i use vegan cheeses and tuna i never had cheesy spanish tuna pasta bake before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
15 . Apr . 2022Spain on a Fork
Sounds great Ramya! Have a great weekend 🙂 much love
15 . Apr . 2022