Baked Tuna and Pasta with Herb-Infused Cheese

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

A comforting casserole of flaked tuna and pasta baked in a creamy herb-infused cheese sauce, creating a satisfying weeknight meal. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, tuna in water, cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 5 oz, drained tuna in water
• 1 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Cook 8 oz elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
3. Step 3: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
4. Step 4: Whisk in 1/4 cup milk, 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted, then add drained macaroni and 5 oz drained tuna, mixing until combined.
6. Step 6: Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish and top with 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.