Cheese And Tuna: Perfect Partners In A Casserole

Tuna casserole is a classic American dish that is a favourite family meal. It is a simple recipe that is great for switching up your weeknight dinner routine and making good use of pantry staples. It is also easy on the budget and can be made in large batches and frozen for later.

The recipe is versatile and can be adapted to suit your tastes and what you have on hand. For example, you can use different types of pasta, condensed cream soup, or vegetables. It is typically made with tuna, egg noodles, and a creamy sauce, and is topped with cheese and a crunchy topping, such as breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips.

Tuna casserole is a comforting and nostalgic dish that is perfect for busy weeknights and can be customised to your liking.

Cheddar cheese

Tuna Casserole with Cheddar Cheese

Ingredients

You can use a variety of pasta shapes for this recipe, such as elbow macaroni, egg noodles, shells, or penne. For the cheese, you will need a good melting cheese like sharp cheddar, or a combination of cheddar and parmesan. You can also add breadcrumbs and butter to create a crunchy topping.

• 16 oz of pasta
• 2 x 5 oz cans of tuna, drained
• 2 x 10.5 oz cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup of frozen peas
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/4 cups of half and half or milk
• 3/4 cup of dry breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mushroom soup with the milk or half and half. Add the cooked pasta, drained tuna, peas, and cheese to the mushroom sauce. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Pour the mixture into a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish.

In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Remove the foil and place the dish under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

Tips and Variations

• You can prepare this casserole in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
• For a super crispy topping, use panko breadcrumbs.
• To make this recipe even creamier, add a 1/4 cup of chicken broth or milk to the sauce.
• For extra flavour, add some diced yellow onion or onion powder, or some sliced mushrooms.
• To spice things up, add some red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or Cajun seasoning.
• This recipe can also be made with canned chicken instead of tuna.

Noodles

When preparing the tuna casserole, you will typically combine the cooked noodles with the other ingredients, such as the tuna, vegetables, and sauce, in a large mixing bowl. Then, you will pour the mixture into a baking dish and top it with cheese and/or breadcrumbs before baking it in the oven.

The amount of noodles you use may vary depending on the recipe you follow. Some recipes call for 8 ounces of uncooked egg noodles, while others use 12 ounces of cooked elbow noodles. It's important to follow the measurements in your chosen recipe to ensure the best results.

When assembling the casserole, it's crucial to combine the ingredients thoroughly so that the noodles are well-coated with the sauce. This will ensure that your tuna noodle casserole is flavourful and has a consistent texture.

Breadcrumbs

To prepare the breadcrumbs, simply mix them with melted butter and sprinkle them over the tuna casserole before baking. Some recipes suggest adding shredded cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavour and texture. The amount of breadcrumbs used can vary, but typically, around 1/2 to 1 cup of breadcrumbs is enough for a standard-sized casserole.

When baking the casserole, keep a close eye on it, as the breadcrumbs can go from golden brown to burnt very quickly. Depending on your oven, the broiling time may need to be adjusted to avoid over-browning.

Additionally, breadcrumbs can be used as a binding agent if you plan to form the tuna mixture into patties or balls before baking. In this case, the breadcrumbs help hold the shape and prevent the mixture from falling apart.

In terms of flavour, plain breadcrumbs are typically used, but you can experiment with different types of breadcrumbs, such as Italian-seasoned or cheese-flavoured, to add extra flavour to your tuna casserole.

Peas

When using frozen peas, be sure to thaw them first. If you're short on time, you can quickly thaw them by placing them in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes. Canned peas are already soft, so they can be added directly to the casserole. If you're using fresh peas, you'll need to cook them before adding them to the casserole. You can boil or steam them until they're tender but still bright green, then drain and add them to the casserole mixture.

The amount of peas you add to your tuna casserole can vary depending on your preference. Most recipes call for around 1-2 cups of peas, but you can always adjust this amount to suit your taste. If you're using frozen or canned peas, it's a good idea to rinse and drain them before adding them to the casserole to remove any excess liquid or preservatives.

Some recipes suggest mixing the peas directly into the tuna casserole mixture, while others recommend layering the peas with the other ingredients for a more visually appealing dish. You can also reserve a few peas to sprinkle on top of the casserole before serving, adding a pop of colour and texture to each serving.

Tuna casseroles are versatile, so feel free to experiment with different types of peas, such as garden peas, sugar snap peas, or snow peas. Each variety will add its unique flavour, texture, and colour to the dish. Remember to taste your casserole before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can also try adding other vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or mushrooms, to create an even more nutritious and colourful dish.

Condensed cream of mushroom soup

A creamy, cheesy tuna casserole is a nostalgic, comforting, and budget-friendly dish that is simple to make and can be adapted to suit your tastes and what you have in your pantry.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make a tuna casserole using condensed cream of mushroom soup:

• Condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Tuna (canned or cooked and shredded)
• Pasta (egg noodles, shells, macaroni, spaghetti, or almost any other type of pasta)
• Vegetables (peas, frozen mixed vegetables, frozen corn, broccoli, carrots, onions, mushrooms, etc.)
• Milk (or milk alternatives)
• Breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers, cornflakes, potato chips, etc.)
• Cheese (cheddar, gruyere, or Monterey jack)
• Butter
• Spices (salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, etc.)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. You can add the vegetables during the last minute of cooking or sauté them separately. Drain and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, vegetables, tuna, and spices. Stir well to ensure everything is coated in the soup mixture.
• Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
• In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, melted butter, and spices. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole.
• Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbly.
• For a crispy topping, you can broil the casserole for an additional 2-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• You can use different types of condensed cream soup or make a homemade base with a thickened white sauce.
• To add more flavor, try using different spices, hot sauce, or cheese.
• If you want a crunchier topping, you can use French fried onions, crushed crackers, or crushed potato chips instead of breadcrumbs.
• You can also add in some sour cream and Parmesan cheese to make the casserole extra creamy and thick.
• To make a chicken noodle casserole, simply substitute the tuna with cooked chicken.
• This casserole can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions