Tuna Pasta Bake

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180C/350F.

Step 2

Cook pasta per packet directions, minus 1 minute. Drain, rinse under tap water to stop it sticking together, set aside.

Step 3

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat an ovenproof skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 3 minutes until golden.

Step 4

Add tomato, water, herbs, salt and pepper and tomato paste if using. Stir, bring to simmer, lower heat to medium and simmer energetically for 5 minutes (stir every now and then) until it thickens.

Step 5

Adjust salt to taste. Also add a touch of sugar if it tastes a bit sour (depends on quality of tomato).

Step 6

Turn the stove off, add pasta, stir in.

Step 7

Add tuna and GENTLY stir it in - don't break up the tuna so it disintegrates into mush. Leave some chunks on the surface (nice when it is golden).

Step 8

Drizzle with oil, top with cheese then bake for 20 minutes until golden and you get those nice crusty bits you see in the photos.

Step 9

Stand for 3 minutes then serve!