Golden tubetti with cauliflower and tuna

Name: Golden tubetti with cauliflower and tuna
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 4-6
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients: 500g tubetti or other short pasta; ½ cauliflower, in 1cm slices; 60g butter; 5 cloves garlic, finely sliced; 1 red onion, finely diced; salt flakes; freshly ground black pepper; 1½ tbsp curry powder; 60g plain flour; 800ml milk, warmed; 100ml cream; 90g grana padano parmesan, finely grated; 2 x 185g cans tuna in oil, drained; 2 handfuls breadcrumbs

Karen Martini

May 11, 2022

easyTime:30 mins - 1 hourServes:4-6

The tuna bake was a staple of the family dining table of the '70s and is popular again now. This quick version makes for a great midweek dinner. Just add a simple bitter-leaf salad or some blanched greens.

Ingredients

500g tubetti or other short pasta
½ cauliflower, in 1cm slices
60g butter
5 cloves garlic, finely sliced
1 red onion, finely diced
salt flakes
freshly ground black pepper
1½ tbsp curry powder
60g plain flour
800ml milk, warmed
100ml cream
90g grana padano parmesan, finely grated
2 x 185g cans tuna in oil, drained
2 handfuls breadcrumbs

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C fan-forced or 200C conventional.
2. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted, boiling water, tipping the cauliflower in for the last five minutes, then drain.
3. While the pasta cooks, add the butter to a medium saucepan and melt over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, season and cook for four or five minutes, or until softened but not coloured.
4. Add the curry powder and fry quickly. Add the flour and stir through to cook out a little. Pour in the warm milk, whisking as you do. Cook for about two minutes while whisking until the sauce has thickened and is lump-free.
5. Add the cream and half the cheese, whisk until combined and season. Tip into a large bowl with the tuna and the pasta and cauliflower. Stir through, breaking up the larger pieces of cauliflower a little.
6. Tip the pasta mix into a ceramic baking dish, top with the rest of the cheese and the breadcrumbs and bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden.