Tuna pasta bake is an easy dish to make in large quantities, and it can often be created in a single pot.
You can add a whole host of twists to it, by adding or removing certain ingredients, making it one of the most versatile dishes to feed busy families.
But, what about the leftovers?
Leftover pasta bakes can be kept in the refrigerator for up three to five days, but what if you want to keep the leftovers for longer than that?
Can You Freeze Tuna Pasta Bake?
Yes, you can freeze tuna pasta bake.
However, you must allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature first. This applies for both storing the pasta bake in the fridge and in the freezer.
Any heat coming from the food will cause condensation. This can freeze and then cause freezer burn. Even in the fridge, condensation can drip onto the food and cause it to become soggy and watered-down.
How to Freeze Tuna Pasta Bake
The tuna pasta bake can be separated and frozen in individual servings, or it can be frozen in the container it was cooked in.
If you’re opting for the latter, you should cover it completely. You can use a lid, if the container came with one. You must ensure that the lid does not let any air in, however.
If you don’t have a lid, you can cover the cooking container in first a layer of aluminium foil, and then one or more layers of clingfilm.
You will need to create an impenetrable barrier between the food and the inside of the freezer; otherwise, it will get freezer burn, which will degrade the food.
If you are cutting the tuna pasta bake up into individual serving sizes, you can use foil and cling film again, or freezer bags.
You can also use Tupperware tubs or similar containers. Again, you just need to make sure whatever you’re using is airtight.
How Long Does Tuna Pasta Bake Last in the Freezer?
Once frozen, your tuna pasta bake will be good to thaw and eat for at least two or three months. Some kitchen experts suggest the dish can last up to four months when properly stored and frozen.
Before putting the dish in the freezer, it is recommended that you write the date on it.
You can then keep track of how much time has passed since you put it in there and whether or not it’s safe to eat.
How to Defrost Tuna Pasta Bake
The best way to defrost tuna pasta bake, and other types of pasta bakes, is to remove it from the oven the night before you want to eat it.
Pop it in the fridge overnight, and it will have thawed out by the next day. At that point, you can then reheat it.
How to Heat Up Tuna Pasta Bake
You can use the microwave or the oven to reheat your frozen-and-then-thawed tuna pasta bake. Either way, the dish must be completely thawed out. It shouldn’t be reheated from frozen.
In the microwave, the pasta will probably need a minute or two to completely cook through, depending on the size of the dish and how it was frozen.
You must make sure the container you’re cooking it in, is microwave-safe beforehand. Check the food after a 60/90 seconds to see how hot it is.
If you’re reheating your tuna pasta bake in the oven, make sure you transfer it to an oven-proof dish, if it isn’t already in one. The oven will need to be preheated to gas mark 3, or 175 degrees Celsius.
When ready, put the tuna pasta bake in the oven and set a timer for around 15 to 20 minutes. You don’t want to burn or overcook it. If you need to add more toppings, such as cheese, add it around five or so minutes before the end.
Kim is a writer with more than a decade of experience, and a food enthusiast. When she’s not spending her time writing about her favourite dishes, you can find her in the cake aisle of her local supermarket, or making a mess in the kitchen.
