Tuna Casserole with Creamy Sauce (Printable Version)

Hearty baked pasta dish featuring tender egg noodles, tuna, and vegetables in a rich, creamy cheese sauce with crispy breadcrumb topping.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz egg noodles or fusilli

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup frozen peas
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Tuna

05 - 2 cans (each 6 oz) tuna in water, drained

→ Sauce

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 - 1 1/2 cups milk
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
13 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Topping

14 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
16 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
04 - Sprinkle flour into the skillet, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream, salt, black pepper, dried thyme if using, and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and fully incorporated.
07 - Add drained tuna, frozen peas, and cooked pasta to the sauce. Gently fold together until all components are evenly distributed.
08 - Pour the tuna-pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
09 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until butter coats all crumbs evenly.
10 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until sauce bubbles around edges and topping turns golden brown.
11 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set slightly for easier scooping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy Parmesan topping creates this incredible crunch that makes the creamy inside even better
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
  • This is the kind of meal that somehow tastes even better as leftovers the next day
02 -
  • Do not overcook the pasta in the boiling water since it will continue cooking in the oven
  • Make sure to drain the tuna really well so your sauce does not become watery
  • The sauce might look thin when you first combine everything, but it thickens beautifully while baking
03 -
  • Use room temperature sour cream to prevent it from curdling when you add it to the hot sauce
  • For the crispiest topping, broil for the last 2 minutes but watch it like a hawk because it can burn quickly
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