Tuna Casserole

A great tuna casserole recipe is one you will flip to yr after yr, as a result of it is satisfying consolation meals that simply feeds a crowd. Even higher, you possibly can whip it up at a second’s discover because it’s made virtually fully from pantry elements—and it’s very adaptable relying on what you’ve available. Its adaptability makes it an ideal manner to make use of up greens and meat left over from earlier meals, or small quantities of elements (like a single carrot, or the final of the cheese) that will not add as much as a meal on their very own. Use this recipe for tuna casserole as a place to begin, after which swap or add elements as you please.

Concepts for Ingredient Variations

• As an alternative of macaroni: egg noodles, bowties, orecchiette, macaroni, ziti
• As an alternative of diced onion: garlic, shallot, scallions, contemporary or dried herbs
• As an alternative of tuna: canned salmon; leftover rooster, ham, floor beef, or meatless crumbles
• As an alternative of frozen peas: contemporary or frozen inexperienced beans, corn, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes
• As an alternative of panko: contemporary breadcrumbs, crushed potato chips, cornflakes
• As an alternative of Parmesan: any cheese you’ve available, like cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella, or Swiss

Make-Forward and Storage

You may put together this casserole as much as a day upfront of if you need to serve it. Put together every little thing and assemble all of the parts within the pan, besides the breadcrumb topping. Cowl the pan tightly and refrigerate till about half-hour earlier than you are able to serve. Then merely preheat the oven, sprinkle on the topping, and bake as directed.

If there are any leftovers, pack them right into a storage container with a tightly sealing lid and use inside two days.

Substances

• Coarse salt and floor pepper

• ¾ pound tubetti or elbow macaroni

• 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

• ½ ounce Parmesan, grated (2 tablespoons)

• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 yellow onion, diced small

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 ½ cups low-sodium rooster broth

• 1 ½ cups complete milk

• 2 cans (6 ounces every) stable mild tuna packed in water, drained and flaked

• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and cook dinner pasta:

   Preheat oven to 425°F. In a big pot of boiling salted water, cook dinner pasta 2 minutes lower than package deal directions (it is going to be undercooked). Drain.

   




2. Put together topping:

   In a small bowl, toss collectively panko, Parmesan, and a pair of teaspoons oil.

   




3. Put together sauce:

   In pot, warmth 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook dinner till softened, 8 minutes.

   




4. Add flour:

   Add flour and whisk to coat onion with flour.

   




5. Add broth and milk:

   Slowly whisk in broth, then milk.

   

   

   

   




6. Mix remaining elements:

   Prepare dinner, stirring continually, till sauce involves a boil. Cut back warmth and simmer, stirring often, till sauce is thickened, about 8 minutes.

   

   




7. Add pasta, tuna, and peas:

   Stir in pasta, tuna, and peas and season to style with salt and pepper.

   

   




8. Assemble casserole:

   Switch tuna combination to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and prime with panko combination.

   

   




9. Bake:

   Bake till sauce is effervescent and crust is golden, 17 to twenty minutes. Let cool 10 minutes earlier than serving.

   

Steadily Requested Questions:

What sort of tuna is greatest for tuna casserole?

There may be extra to canned tuna than meets the attention. Along with simply water or oil-packed, think about the various totally different varieties, textures, and preparations of tuna; moral and environmentally accountable fishing and packing practices; and the way you plan to serve the tuna. Among the highest high quality (and costliest) tuna packed in high-quality olive oil is greatest saved for easy preparations like salads the place there aren’t lots of different elements overlaying up the flavour of the tuna. Extra reasonably priced water-packed and oil-packed choices are simply fantastic for tuna casserole. Study heaps extra in our Canned Tuna Information.

Why is my tuna casserole dry?

Along with pasta, tuna, and greens, be sure you have sufficient sauce to bind all of it collectively and provides it moisture.

How do you reheat tuna casserole with out drying it out?

Whether or not you’re utilizing the microwave or the oven, maintain your leftovers coated throughout reheating. As soon as it’s sizzling, you re-crisp the topping if you want by pop it beneath the broiler for a minute or two.

Extra Tuna Casserole Recipes to Strive:

• Tuna-Noodle Casserole with Cauliflower
• Creamy Shells with Tuna and Spinach
• Tuna, Artichoke, and Noodle Casserole
• Mediterranean Tuna-Noodle Casserole