Spicy bacon and tuna pasta bake


Looking for some cheap but substantial lunch or dinner fare ?!

Check your pantry and get crackin' !

Tuna and bacon combo in pasta is one of my all-time fave but then who can resist bacon ?!

This pasta is so simple to make and into your mouth  ( ha ! ) in no time at all ! The sauce is creamy and spicy , the corn kernels adds texture and the bacon , the bacon *sigh* nuf said !

I've read an article before about a European chef here in HK that Asians don't really like al dente pasta , I think he's talking about me lol  I almost always cook my pasta for about 12 to 15 minutes and no , the pasta wasn't mushy at all even steaming the leftover dish the next day .

How about you ? Are you one of those crazy Asians who loves her/his pasta a bit softer ?!


Recipe adapted from BBC GoodFood

Serves 4 

250 grams mezze penne or any short pasta
150 grams bacon , cut into 1-inch slices
1 can / 140 grams tuna in spring water 
100 grams ( peeled weight ) shallots , finely chopped
1 clove garlic , minced
1 cup steamed fresh corn kernels 
2/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves 
150 grams evaporated milk 
150 grams UHT whole milk 
1/2 cup hot water or pasta water
75 grams grated cheddar
25 grams butter
25 grams flour
about 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
salt to taste

* Preheat oven to 200°C .

* Boil pasta according to preference .

* In a wok or a large pan , heat oil , add in the shallots , cook for 5 minutes over medium heat , add in the garlic , fry for 1 minute then add in bacon and cook for another 2 minutes . Add in the corn kernels tuna , chilli flakes and half of the cilantro , stir gently , transfer to a plate . In the same pan , wipe or wash it , melt butter then add in the flour , use a whisk to stir it and cook for 1 minute . Gradually add in the 2 milk and water , stirring with a whisk as you pour , remove from heat , stir about 50 grams of the cheese and add back the bacon-tuna mixture , mix well to combine ,  season with salt . 

* Drain pasta and mix in with the sauce , add in the remaining chopped cilantro and mix thoroughly . Transfer to a baking dish and top with the remaining cheese , into the oven and bake until cheese is starting to brown .


This post is linked to the bloghop event Bake-Along organized by Lena of Frozen Wings , Joyce of Kitchen Flavours and Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids . The theme is Baked pasta ,

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Comments

  1. Yummy! I am like you, I like my pasta "well cooked" but my boys don't sigh! so I have to learn to enjoy al dente pasta! Yours looks delicious in that pretty blue dishes, I love that polka dot one best!

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  2. hi anne, for me it depends on the pasta. If fettucine, i tend to cook them a little more softer like hor fun...haha..only never tried frying fettucine :) thanks for sharing this very delicious looking baked pasta with us. CHeers!

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  3. buonissima questa pasta..
    ne prendo un tegamino per domani.
    Buon ferragosto

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  4. Hi Anne,
    Delicious looking pasta! I have to try adding tuna the next time.
    I love my pasta with a little bite to it too!
    I like your polka dot blue dish! :)
    Thanks for linking with BA!

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  5. Love your blue polka dot baking dish, so lovely! and my kids sure couldn't resist this type of pasta!

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  6. OMG! it looks super delicious!

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  7. Hi Anne, I'm droooooling leh! Guess what my sons said when they saw this post "WOW! You must cook this MoM & ASAP !! Why not today huh? " LOL Well, one of my son likes bacon & the other tuna , so like 2 in 1 dish! LOL AWESOME recipe indeed that really makes my day ! Thanks for sharing . BTW I super LOVE- LOVE your polka dot dish... SWEET ;)

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  8. Hi Anne,
    I love all your blue series oven proof dish. Especially the polka dot one.
    Seems like your baking dish is more popular then your pasta..lol
    My kids love love love this kind of pasta. Can send over the one in the blue polka dot dish... :p
    mui

    ReplyDelete

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