This 4-ingredient oven baked tuna farfalle is the kind of practical pantry dinner that saves the day when the fridge looks bare but everyone still wants something warm and filling. Baking the pasta right in the dish keeps the prep simple, and the combination of tender bow ties, flaky solid white albacore tuna, and a creamy sauce makes it feel comforting and familiar with very little effort.
Serve this cozy pasta with a crisp green salad, steamed green beans, or simple roasted broccoli to round out the meal. A slice of garlic bread or buttered toast is always welcome for scooping up the creamy sauce, and if you want a brighter finish, a little lemon on the side pairs especially well with the tuna.
Servings: 6
12 ounces dry uncooked farfalle pasta
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch oven-safe glass baking dish.
2. Add the dry farfalle, drained tuna, condensed cream of mushroom soup, and water to the baking dish. Stir well so the soup is evenly blended into the water and the pasta is mostly submerged.
3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
4. Remove the foil, stir the pasta thoroughly, and check that the farfalle is nearly tender. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the pasta is tender and the top looks lightly golden.
5. Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly.
Cheesy family version: If you want an extra cozy casserole feel, stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella during the last 10 minutes of baking. It melts into the sauce and makes this especially appealing for kids who like creamier pasta dishes.
Vegetable add-in: Stir in 1 cup thawed frozen peas or a well-drained can of mixed vegetables before baking for a simple way to stretch the meal and add color. If your family is easing into veggies, peas are usually the easiest place to start.
Seasoning tip: Because this recipe starts with just four ingredients, a little black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or dried parsley at the table can wake up the flavor nicely. A squeeze of lemon over each serving is also a lovely finishing touch with tuna.
Pasta texture tip: Oven temperatures and baking dishes can vary, so if the pasta seems dry before it turns tender, add a splash of hot water, cover again, and bake a bit longer. Keeping the dish tightly covered for the first part of baking helps the farfalle cook evenly.
