Cajun Bacon Tuna Pasta Bake

By PineyCook

Ingredients

• 12 oz. rotini cooked al dente (don’t overcook!)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 1/4 cups chicken broth, divided
• 1 1/2 cups milk (I use lowfat)
• 2-4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 pieces cooked turkey bacon (or regular), crumbled
• 1 10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
• 1/2 cup petite frozen peas, thawed
• 1 5.0 oz can Starkist Albacore Tuna, drained
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• 3/4 cups cheddar cheese + 3 tablespoons, divided
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Preparation

Step 1

1.Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

2.Melt butter in olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Add red onions and sauté 2 minutes. Add red and green bell peppers and saute 1 minute. Add garlic, red pepper flakes and saute 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook while stirring for 3 minutes, or until raw flour smell is gone.

3.Turn heat to low and slowly whisk in 2 cups chicken broth, then milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Turn heat to medium high and bring to a simmer. Stir in Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in bacon, tomatoes, peas and tuna until combined and heated through.

4.Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until melted. Stir in pasta until well coated, adding an additional 1/4+ chicken broth if sauce has become too thick. For an even creamier pasta, stir in ½ cup sour cream (optional). Pour half of pasta into a 9x13 baking dish. Top with 3/4 cup cheddar cheese (or more for extra cheesiness) then remaining pasta.

5.Stir 3 tablespoons cheddar cheese (or more for extra cheesiness) and 1/4 panko breadcrumbs together and sprinkle over top of pasta. Lightly spray the top with nonstick baking spray and bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted then broil until panko is golden