Description
Home cooks adore this classic crispy tuna casserole that blends creamy textures with crunchy breadcrumb topping. Hearty noodles, tender fish, and golden-brown edges make this nostalgic dish perfect for family dinners you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12 oz) can solid white tuna in spring water, drained
- 2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 6 tbsps grated parmesan cheese
- 1 (16 oz) package ziti pasta
- 1 (8 oz) package haricots verts (thin green beans), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium leeks, thinly sliced
- 2 (4 oz) packages fresh gourmet mushroom blend
- 8 tbsps butter, divided
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup organic vegetable broth
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh chives
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon or parsley
- Vegetable cooking spray
- ¼ cup crushed potato chips
- ¼ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
- Garnish: sliced fresh chives
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the casserole.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Vegetable Preparation: Blanch green beans quickly in salted water, immediately transfer to ice bath to maintain vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Flavor Foundation: In a large skillet, sauté leeks and mushrooms until they develop a rich, golden-brown coloration, releasing deep, savory aromatics.
- Sauce Creation: Craft a velvety sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour to create a roux, then gradually blend in cream and broth, stirring constantly to ensure a silky smooth consistency.
- Cheese Integration: Melt Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses into the sauce, creating a luxurious, creamy base that will bind the casserole ingredients.
- Ingredient Fusion: Gently fold together pasta, tuna, chives, tarragon, sautéed vegetables, and the cheese sauce, ensuring even distribution of flavors and ingredients.
- Assembly and Topping: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, then create a crispy topping by combining crushed potato chips, panko breadcrumbs, and additional Parmesan cheese.
- Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole becomes bubbling hot and the topping transforms into a golden, crisp crust.
- Serving: Allow the casserole to rest briefly, enabling flavors to meld and settle before presenting this delectable dish.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a satisfying bite in the final dish.
- Vegetable Vitality: Quickly blanch green beans and shock in ice water to preserve their bright color and crisp texture, adding freshness to the casserole.
- Sauce Smoothness: Whisk flour and butter carefully to create a roux without lumps, ensuring a silky, creamy sauce that coats ingredients evenly.
- Crunch Control: Mix potato chips and panko for a superior crispy topping that adds irresistible texture and elevates the entire casserole experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg