Tuna and Spinach Pasta Bake

1.Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

2.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook for 8 minutes, until just al dente. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the green beans to the boiling water. Drain pasta and beans together and set aside.

3.While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent.

4.Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.

5.Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add the dried or fresh basil, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, and sugar if using. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to develop flavors.

6.Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

7.In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and green beans, flaked tuna, and the basil tomato and spinach sauce. Mix gently to combine all ingredients evenly.

8.Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top.

9.Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.

10.Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the bake to set slightly for easier portioning.