Creamy And Delicious Tuna Mornay. A Classic Comfort Food Dish.

Tuna mornay is a classic and delicious dish perfect for a comforting meal any time of the day. This creamy and cheesy dish features tender chunks of tuna in a rich and flavorful sauce, with a crunchy breadcrumb topping that adds the perfect finishing touch.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, the easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step video will guide you through making this delectable dish.

Tuna Mornay Bake

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Calories: 698.8kcal
Servings: 6 People

Ingredients

  • 400 g Macaroni Pasta
  • 100 g Unsalted Butter Cubed
  • 1 Brown (Yellow) Onion Diced
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 70 g Plain Flour All-Purpose
  • 420 g Full Fat Milk Warmed
  • 180 ml Thickened Cream
  • 425 g Spring Water Tuna Drained
  • 1 Lemon Zest
  • 100 g Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 150 g Matured Cheddar Cheese Grated
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Flat Leaf Parsley Roughly Chopped

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season generously with salt and cook the pasta 3 minutes less than the packet instructions. Remove and drain.
  • In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter and let it melt. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, mixing regularly, until the onion starts to soften. Add the flour and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes, until thickened and starting to bubble — don't let it brown. Slowly add the warmed milk in batches, mixing between each addition until fully absorbed. Once combined, add the cream and cook for 1 minute. Check the seasoning and remove from the heat.
  • Add the drained pasta, flaked tuna, and lemon zest to the sauce and mix really well until combined. Transfer to the greased baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle over the panko breadcrumbs and cheese, distributing both evenly, and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden on top. Remove and rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve on plates or in bowls, garnished with cracked black pepper and flat leaf parsley, if using. Dig in.
Chef's Tips
Warm the milk before adding it to the roux, as written — cold milk hitting a hot roux is what causes lumps, and warming it first keeps the sauce smooth as it's incorporated.
Flake the tuna in gently rather than stirring hard once it's in the sauce — overworking it breaks the flakes down too much, and the tuna loses its texture in the bake.
Let the bake rest the full 10 minutes before serving — the sauce is quite loose straight out of the oven and needs that time to firm up enough to hold its shape when served.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months, in an airtight container — this one freezes and reheats well thanks to the baked pasta base.
To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes, or microwave in 2-minute bursts, stirring between each, until hot throughout. Thaw frozen portions in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving 350gCalories 698.8kcalCarbohydrates 77.4gProtein 34.6gFat 27.8gSaturated Fat 15.6gPolyunsaturated Fat 1.93gMonounsaturated Fat 6.84gTrans Fat 0.9gCholesterol 97.7mgSodium 521.7mgPotassium 491.4mgFiber 4gSugar 7.3gVitamin A 775.37IUVitamin C 7.55mgCalcium 344.6mgIron 4.4mg

The above nutrition guide is based on daily averages and is calculated for a single portion. 

Recipe Notes

Tuna Mornay Bake Storage Instructions

Store the tuna mornay in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

To freeze the tuna mornay, ensure it has cooled down completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.  It can be stored in the freezer for 3 months.

Tuna Mornay Bake Reheating Instructions

To reheat the tuna mornay, simply place it in a microwave-safe dish and microwave it on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes or until hot in the centre.

Alternatively, you can reheat it in the oven by placing it in a baking dish and baking it at 180.c/350.f for 10-15 minutes or until hot in the centre.

Watch How To Make The Recipe

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6 thoughts on “Tuna Mornay Bake”

  1. 5 stars
    #3 “Add the butter to a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter and allow it to melt.” should eliminate the second “add the butter.”

    #4 should start with “Add the drained tuna to the sauce and mix well.” You forgot to mention the tuna at all in the instructions.

    The recipe was very good,

  2. Just found you today. On the 18th of this month I will be 80 years old. That is the only add I will be giving that number. It seems to be correct as I’ve done and done again, the math. I am thrilled to find you and your astonishing recipes and the prep ahead meals that have helped you not only take pounds off but enjoy the process. My turn. Ready, set, go! Thanks.

  3. 5 stars
    This Tuna Mornay Bake recipe looks like the perfect comfort food, The combination of creamy sauce and tender tuna sounds absolutely delightful. I appreciate how you’ve laid out the steps so clearly, making it easy for anyone to follow. Can’t wait to try this dish—thanks for sharing.

5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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