Tuna Casserole

This Tuna Casserole is the last word cozy consolation meals. Flakey Tuna, mushrooms (no cans!), peas, cheese, a luscious sauce, egg noodles and a zesty lemon panko topping with caramelized lemons. Critically that is the last word Tuna casserole recipe to make!

We now have a THING for Tuna right here. So many Tuna Recipes to discover and critically, all SO GOOD! So this tuna casserole recipe is lengthy overdue right here. Let’s begin by saying that I didn’t respect tuna casserole for years, and I knew precisely why. So I’ve examined so many recipes to determine a method across the canned soup and a method so as to add a refined taste of lemon.

Whenever you do that recipe, you’ll know precisely what I imply. Take it from a tuna lover who tried so some ways to make this the perfect model it may be!

So What’s a Tuna Casserole?

The tuna casserole is without doubt one of the hottest recipes within the US, and it rose to fame within the 1950’s. A that point every thing creamy, wealthy and velvety was coming to life. Casseroles had been the factor.

This recipe was a kind of cheap options to dinner and comfy meals. All you wanted was a can of mushroom soup, some noodles, canned tuna, canned peas, cheese and crushed potato chips for topping. Such an inexpensive meal that requires pantry objects solely, nothing perishable. Most households would have all these elements of their pantry at any given time.

In order time advanced, some have stored the recipe as it’s, and others have swapped some objects. The commonest swap was the canned peas into recent or frozen peas. This was some time in the past when numerous individuals started to draw back from canned veggies.

Ultimately the chips made the swap too with panko or any breadcrumbs. And at last, the canned soup. This was our first precedence when testing for this recipe. We made a luscious basic bechamel sauce with recent mushrooms and it was the perfect factor ever!

Let’s get began with the perfect tuna casserole recipe, the elements, video and find out how to beneath!

Why You’ll LOVE This Tuna Casserole Recipe

No canned Soup, ever. Whereas this could possibly be the basic quaint method, there’s a method round it. A method that’s way more tastier and more healthy for you! Consider me you received’t miss that canned stuff!
We caramelize some lemon slices within the butter earlier than making the sauce after which add loads of lemon zest to the panko topping. The richness of the caramelized lemon and brightness of the lemon zest topping take this casserole to a different degree!
This recipe is fabulously made prematurely, it’s additionally freezer pleasant and a potluck favourite.
Flavors are elevated. We flavored the creamy sauce for the tuna casserole with herbs and caramelized lemon, and the identical with the topping. So many lovely flavors right here whereas highlighting the tuna!
Wonderful textures! The luscious creamy sauce, completely cooked noodles. flakey tuna, peas, mushrooms and the crunch topping all come collectively like a dream!
A tuna casserole is a kind of dinners or cozy meals that makes use of essentially the most easiest of elements. Nothing fancy and nothing that requires a visit to a speciality retailer.

Components You’ll Want

Tuna. We’re protecting with the basic style and comfort of a tuna casserole and so we’re utilizing canned tuna. Make sure you purchase high quality canned tuna, ideally packed in lemon or water not oil. Additionally ensure to empty that fish rather well earlier than utilizing right here. Whereas you should use our Tuna Steak Recipe, we really feel the feel and taste is greatest with canned.
Noodles. Once more maintaining with the classics right here, we used the great outdated no yolks noodles. Be sure that to cook dinner them tremendous al dente as they may cook dinner additional within the oven.
Béchamel elements. Butter, flour, milk or half n half. You possibly can add in some inventory to exchange part of the milk or half n half for a lighter casserole recipe.
Seasoning. We use a bled of oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. We mix all of them collectively and that is the primary seasoning we use for the sauce, the topping and as we cook dinner it.
Veggies. Frozen inexperienced peas are an incredible substitute for the canned and even for recent generally. We additionally use recent mushrooms for this recipe as an alternative of the canned stuff. So flavorful and wonderful texture!
Flavorings. Our fundamentals embody onions, garlic and recent herbs like thyme.
Lemon. We use lemon zest and lemon slices right here for a unique degree of lemon taste.
Panko Combination. You should use common breadcrumbs, however we use panko combined with seasoning (above), recent herbs, chilli flakes and lemon zest.
Cheese. The basic cheddar cheese is what we use. Nevertheless you should use gruyere or some other smooth melting cheese.

The right way to Make Tuna Casserole

Put together the Sauce

We begin by infusing a wealthy deep lemon style which pairs so superbly with our recipe. To do this, simply add in lemon slices to some melted butter within the pot over medium warmth. Caramelize the lemon for 1 minute per aspect till golden, then take away from the pan.
Start the sauce in the identical pot the place the butter is infused with the lemon taste. Add within the onions and seasoning. You should use Italian seasoning mix or easy mix salt, pepper, oregano, onion and garlic powder and a few paprika.
As soon as the onions have cooked till smooth and translucent, you’re going so as to add in some sliced mushrooms and garlic. Whereas you should use white button mushrooms, we choose cremini. Prepare dinner the mushrooms with the onions till they’ve softened however not completely wilted down.
Now you’re going so as to add within the flour together with a tablespoon extra of butter. That is the bottom for the béchamel sauce and that is the way it will thicken up.
At this level it’s KEY to sauté the flour with the mushrooms and onions for at the least 1 minute or till barely golden. This step removes the uncooked flour style out of your sauce.
You’re now prepared so as to add within the liquid. We’re utilizing milk and half n half, this creates a brilliant luscious and creamy tuna casserole recipe. You should use solely half n half for a richer consequence, or use half inventory and half milk for a lighter recipe. We guarantee you both method it will likely be scrumptious. Now be sure you season the liquid with the identical seasoning above.
Improve the warmth barely to medium excessive and produce the combination to a boil whereas mixing. You’ll discover how the liquid will thicken and at that time, drop the warmth to medium low. Let the sauce bubble for 2-3 minutes to infuse with the flavors.
At that time you’re going so as to add the drained tuna, peas and cheese. Give it a mixture till all blended.

Prepare dinner the Noodles

It’s greatest to cook dinner them tremendous aldente. That’s as a result of the noodles will additional cook dinner within the oven. We’ve used right here the basic no yolks noodles, however you’ll be able to most positively use pasta or a gluten free possibility if wanted.

Assemble the Casserole

The noodles are tossed into the pot and coated nicely with the sauce, tuna, peas and mushrooms. Now we pour the entire pot right into a 9 by 13 inch dish, and unfold the noodle tuna combination evenly into the baking dish. You should use the identical pot if that’s your desire.

Topping

That is frankly a MUST for the recipe, so please don’t skimp. The topping is a mix of panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, recent thyme, chilli flakes and lemon zest. An absolute taste and texture addition to your dish!
Sprinkle the topping evenly all around the baking dish masking all of the tuna casserole. And to complete off, add the caramelized lemon slices ontop.

Baking the Casserole

Bake for about 25 minutes till it’s golden and bubbly. You need the crispy golden tops and bubbly insides.
As soon as out of the oven , we added some chopped chives (non-obligatory) and a splash of chilli flakes.
Be tremendous cautious about serving it immediately as it will likely be actually scorching and bubbly. So give it about 10 minutes earlier than serving.

And there you may have absolutely the Tuna casserole full of freshness and taste, and but simply as cozy.

Suggestions For the Greatest Tuna Casserole Recipe

Use high quality canned tuna for the perfect tasting casserole recipe. Be sure you use the fish packed in water or lemon, not oil. The oil will make it exhausting for the tuna to mix within the sauce. And at last, ensure to empty it nicely earlier than utilizing.
Frozen peas are an incredible alternative for this recipe, higher than recent peas. Keep away from canned by all means.
Cremini mushrooms have a richer style in comparison with white button mushrooms, nonetheless you’ll be able to nonetheless use them.
The selection of cheese is totally non-obligatory so long as it’s a smooth melting cheese.
For a richer recipe, use all half n half. And for a lighter style, use half inventory and half milk. Both possibility tastes nice!
The lemon slices add a wealthy candy lemon style to the sauce, whereas the zest on prime provides a vivid recent tangy taste.
We choose panko over common breadcrumbs, nonetheless you’ll be able to nonetheless use it.
When including the flour, be sure you toast it for 1-2 minutes to take away the uncooked flour style out of your sauce.
Permit the sauce to bubble and thicken earlier than including the remaining elements, and observe the thickness.
To skinny out your sauce, add extra liquid. To thick out the sauce, hold simmering it for longer than 8 minutes.
You ca use retailer purchased Italian seasoning or just combine oregano, garlic and onion powders, salt and pepper and paprika.
Don’t overcook the noodles, it’s worthwhile to beneath cook dinner them as they may proceed cooking within the oven.
You possibly can bake the casserole in the identical pot if you happen to’d like so long as it’s oven proof.
Regulate the panko topping, it ought to be golden and crisp.
Keep away from serving the dish immediately as it will likely be tremendous scorching, reasonably await 8 minutes earlier than having fun with it.

Tuna Casserole Variations

Ass extra veggies like corn, bell peppers, broccoli, solar dried tomatoes, spinach or whichever you like. Don’t overshadow the tuna, however be at liberty to be as inventive as you’d like.
Make it spicy by including jalapeños or extra chilli flakes.
Use cajun spice for a fantastic twist. Additionally add roughly of your favourite spice mix like extra onion powder than garlic.
Swap cheeses round, and check out completely different varieties.
Add in additional seafood. You possibly can add in some canned or cooked Sardines. Whereas they’ve a foul status, I urge you to strive my grandmother’s recipe!
Change the topping and use your favourite flavored chips or crackers, be sure you crush them.

The right way to Make Forward Tuna Casserole?

Put together all of the recipe and assemble it in your baking dish able to bake. Have in mind to underbake the noodles much more, and having the sauce barely thinner than ordinary.
Now cowl the dish and refrigerate for as much as 3 days.
When able to bake, be sure you take away the dish from the fridge for 1 hour earlier than baking. Bake as ordinary including an additional 15-18 minutes extra baking time.

The right way to Freeze and Reheat?

Put together the casserole and pour into the baking dish as above. Be sure that the sauce has cooled earlier than wrapping and freezing.
You possibly can freeze for upto 3 months.
To Reheat, take the dish out of the freezer the day earlier than. Be sure that to thaw it utterly. Bake as above including an additional 20 minutes.

Why is my casserole dry?

The 2 primary causes for dryness are that the dish is over baked, or the sauce was very thick to start with. When tossing the noodles with all of the elements, the sauce ought to be thick, but skinny sufficient to evenly coat each noodle and have some liquid left for baking.

The right way to inform when the casserole is finished?

The sides shall be bubbly, and the tops shall be golden and crisp. You should use the fork knife check and insert a knife within the casserole, and once you take away it, the knife ought to have a thick coating on it not a skinny one.

What to Serve with Tuna Casserole

A wide range of Salad Recipes right here so that you can select from. We love a pleasant salad and a few Garlic Bread.

Extra Canned Tuna Recipes

Straight from the Mediterranean is that this Tuna Salad Recipe with Olive Oil Dressing and it makes the perfect Sandwich too!

Viral Tuna Recipes

Tuna Tataki
Crudo
Wrap
Ahi Tuna Salad
Ceviche
Carpaccio
Tuna Tartare