Quick and easy tuna bake

Sorry for the lack of posts recently! This year has been so ridiculously hectic compared to my first 2 years at university, only four weeks in and I've got a pile of assignments and deadlines to deal with!

Anyways I have a few good recipes coming your way:)! This pasta bake was super easy to make for a dinner party yesterday and was delicious! I've also got a gluten free/ vegan banana and date cake coming up which I made for the meditation society and was a hit! Also, Ember came over the other night and we made some peanut butter and banana healthy muffins which are to die for! I've also joined Instagram (mojojojo473 if you want to check me out) and I've been participating in cooking challenges such as "chopped Wednesdays" whereby the ingredients this week were: salmon, avocado, rice cakes and oranges, to which I came up with this plate of yumminess;

Yesterday's dinner was very last minute which meant that I had no time to make a proper dessert so I opted for pancakes,  such an easy yet impressive dessert for any occasion and very versatile as you can play around with different toppings and fillings.

EASY TUNA PASTA BAKE

for 3-4 servings

• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste ( or use half a can of tomatoes instead of fresh toms+paste)
• Half a large onion, chopped
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped
• 1 large carrot, cubed and lightly boiled
• Large handful of peas ( add any other desired vegetables : courgette, peppers, mushrooms...)
• 1 can of tuna flakes
• Salt & pepper
• Optional seasonings: paprika, dried herbs, Worcestershire sauce
• 1 handful of whole wheat pasta, boiled until cooked

For the white sauce:

• 1.5 tbsp butter/ olive oil
• 1.5 tbsp flour
• Non fat milk
• Salt & pepper
• 1 tsp Mustard (optional)

Topping:

• Light cheese 
• Oats/ wheat bran / crushed rice cakes

1. In a large frying pan, drizzle in some olive oil and cook the onion and celery until cooked through. Add in the tomatoes, tomato paste, peas, carrots and seasonings, season according to your preference.

2. Let the tomato mix cook for a couple of minutes adding in some water if it dries up, add in the cooked pasta and tuna and mix until well combined.

3. Pour the pasta mixture into an ovenproof dish and set aside whilst you make the topping.

4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add in the flour to create a roux. Stir around for a minute or so to cook the flour and bring it together into a sort of dough, slowly pour in some milk stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Keep adding milk until you obtai a thick but pourable sauce, season.

5. Pour the white sauce over the tuna pasta mix. Top with light cheese and oats or alternatives. 

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 170 degrees Celsius for about 15 minutes until nicely browned.

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