Easy Cheesy Tuna Casserole
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
1 hr
-
Resting Time
10 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
-
Servings
8
-
Calories
509 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Easy Cheesy Tuna Casserole
Description
Easy Cheesy Tuna Casserole combines pasta with a creamy cheddar sauce enriched by sautéed mushrooms, celery, onions, bell peppers, and garlic. The sauce starts with a butter base and flour to thicken the cream, followed by Worcestershire sauce for added depth, melted cheddar, and flaked tuna or salmon incorporated into the mixture. The casserole is topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs, panko, cornflakes, or crackers coated in butter that crisps during baking, adding a contrasting crunch. Cooking the pasta al dente prevents it from becoming mushy after baking, and draining the tuna and pasta well keeps the sauce creamy rather than watery.
Its savory, cheesy character is balanced by the texture of vegetables and crispy topping, making it a comforting dish for any meal. You can prepare it in a single baking dish and enjoy as a warm entrée or side. Adjusting the crunchy topping or cheese amount can customize the casserole to suit your preferences.
When serving, let the casserole cool slightly so flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Variations in the topping include using potato chips or crispy onions without butter. Proper draining of the tuna and pasta is key to maintaining the sauce's richness and consistency without excess moisture.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pasta uncooked, of your choice
- ½ cup butter separated
- ¾ cup onion diced
- ½ cup bell pepper green, yellow, orange or red, cored, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced, fresh
- ½ cup celery chopped, ribs
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs crushed or in pieces between ¼ and 1 inch
- 2 cups bread crumbs
- 2 cups cornflakes
- 2 cups Ritz crackers
- 1- 3 tablespoons garlic minced
- 3 cans tuna drained and flaked, or red sockeye salmon
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups heavy cream or use 1 ½ cups of milk and 1 cup of sour cream, or whipping cream, 35%
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook your pasta of choice according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Drain cans of tuna (or salmon) and remove any noticeable large bones and flake with a fork. Set aside.
- In a large skillet melt ¼ cup of the butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms, celery and onions. Sauté until tender, stirring regularly; about 5 minutes. Add peppers and garlic. Stir for another minute.
- Sprinkle flour on top of vegetables and stir until flour is golden; between 3-4 minutes. Gradually add cream and stir. Add Worcestershire sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens.
- Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Add salmon or tuna and pasta. Stir until combined.
- Using a spatula, dump mixture into your prepared pan.
- Melt remaining butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and add crumbs, cereal or crackers. Remove saucepan from heat and using a fork to coat crumbs or crackers with butter. Sprinkle crumb mixture over top of the casserole.
- Bake until top is golden and casserole is bubby; about 30 minutes. Let stand approximately 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture after baking and prevent mushiness.
- Drain tuna and pasta thoroughly to keep the sauce thick and creamy.
- Don't omit Worcestershire sauce as it adds important depth to the cheese sauce.
- Allow casserole to cool briefly before serving to let flavors blend and sauce thicken.
- If substituting toppings like potato chips or crispy onions for crumbs, skip adding melted butter on top.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 509 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 509kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 120mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 658mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 738mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 865IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 686mg | 69% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
