This Tuna Casserole is the final 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. Severely that is the final word Tuna casserole recipe to make! 

We now have a THING for Tuna right here. So many Tuna Recipes to discover and severely, 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 approach across the canned soup and a approach so as to add a delicate 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 very best model it may be!

So What’s a Tuna Casserole?

The tuna casserole is among the hottest recipes within the US, and it rose to fame within the 1950’s. A that point every part creamy, wealthy and velvety was coming to life. Casseroles have been the factor. 

This recipe was a type of cheap options to dinner and comfortable 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 gadgets 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 gadgets. The commonest swap was the canned peas into contemporary or frozen peas. This was some time in the past when a number of individuals started to draw back from canned veggies. 

Finally the chips made the swap too with panko or any breadcrumbs. And eventually, the canned soup. This was our first precedence when testing for this recipe. We made a luscious traditional bechamel sauce with contemporary mushrooms and it was the very best factor ever! 

Let’s get began with the very best tuna casserole recipe, the elements, video and the way to under!

Why You’ll LOVE This Tuna Casserole Recipe

• No canned Soup, ever. Whereas this might be the traditional quaint approach, there’s a approach round it. A approach that’s way more tastier and more healthy for you! Consider me you gained’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 stage! 
• 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!
• Superb 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 type 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. 

Elements You’ll Want

• Tuna. We’re protecting with the traditional style and comfort of a tuna casserole and so we’re utilizing canned tuna. You’ll want to 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 utilize our Tuna Steak Recipe, we really feel the feel and taste is finest with canned. 
• Noodles. Once more maintaining with the classics right here, we used the great previous no yolks noodles. Be sure to prepare dinner them tremendous al dente as they are going to prepare dinner additional within the oven.
• Béchamel elements. Butter, flour, milk or half n half. You may add in some inventory to interchange 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 prepare dinner it.
• Veggies. Frozen inexperienced peas are an amazing substitute for the canned and even for contemporary typically. We additionally use contemporary mushrooms for this recipe as an alternative of the canned stuff. So flavorful and superb texture!
• Flavorings. Our fundamentals embrace onions, garlic and contemporary herbs like thyme.
• Lemon. We use lemon zest and lemon slices right here for a distinct stage of lemon taste.
• Panko Combination. You need to use common breadcrumbs, however we use panko blended with seasoning (above), contemporary herbs, chilli flakes and lemon zest.
• Cheese. The traditional cheddar cheese is what we use. Nonetheless you should utilize gruyere or some other gentle melting cheese.

Methods to Make Tuna Casserole 

Put together the Sauce

1. 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 facet till golden, then take away from the pan.
   
2. Start the sauce in the identical pot the place the butter is infused with the lemon taste. Add within the onions and seasoning. You need to use Italian seasoning mix or easy mix salt, pepper, oregano, onion and garlic powder and a few paprika.
   
3. As soon as the onions have cooked till gentle and translucent, you’re going so as to add in some sliced mushrooms and garlic. Whereas you should utilize white button mushrooms, we desire cremini. Prepare dinner the mushrooms with the onions till they’ve softened however not completely wilted down. 
   
4. 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. 
   
5. At this level it’s KEY to sauté the flour with the mushrooms and onions for no less than 1 minute or till barely golden. This step removes the uncooked flour style out of your sauce. 
   
6. You’re now prepared so as to add within the liquid. We’re utilizing milk and half n half, this creates an excellent luscious and creamy tuna casserole recipe. You need to use solely half n half for a richer outcome, or use half inventory and half milk for a lighter recipe. We guarantee you both approach will probably be scrumptious. Now be sure you season the liquid with the identical seasoning above.
7. Enhance the warmth barely to medium excessive and convey 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.
   
8. 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 finest to prepare dinner them tremendous aldente. That’s as a result of the noodles will additional prepare dinner within the oven. We’ve used right here the traditional no yolks noodles, however you’ll be able to most undoubtedly use pasta or a gluten free choice if wanted. 

Assemble the Casserole

1. The noodles are tossed into the pot and coated properly 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 need to use the identical pot if that’s your choice. 

Topping

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

Baking the Casserole 

1. Bake for about 25 minutes till it’s golden and bubbly. You need the crispy golden tops and bubbly insides. 
2. As soon as out of the oven , we added some chopped chives (optionally available) and a splash of chilli flakes. 
3. Be tremendous cautious about serving it instantly as will probably be actually sizzling and bubbly. So give it about 10 minutes earlier than serving. 

And there you’ve absolutely the Tuna casserole filled with freshness and taste, and but simply as cozy.

Suggestions For the Finest Tuna Casserole Recipe 

1. Use high quality canned tuna for the very best tasting casserole recipe. Ensure 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 eventually, ensure to empty it properly earlier than utilizing.
2. Frozen peas are an amazing alternative for this recipe, higher than contemporary peas. Keep away from canned by all means.
3. Cremini mushrooms have a richer style in comparison with white button mushrooms, nevertheless you’ll be able to nonetheless use them. 
4. The selection of cheese is totally optionally available so long as it’s a gentle melting cheese.
5. For a richer recipe, use all half n half. And for a lighter style, use half inventory and half milk. Both choice tastes nice!
6. The lemon slices add a wealthy candy lemon style to the sauce, whereas the zest on prime provides a brilliant contemporary tangy taste.
7. We desire panko over common breadcrumbs, nevertheless you’ll be able to nonetheless use it.
8. When including the flour, be sure you toast it for 1-2 minutes to take away the uncooked flour style out of your sauce.
9. Permit the sauce to bubble and thicken earlier than including the remaining elements, and observe the thickness.
10. To skinny out your sauce, add extra liquid. To thick out the sauce, preserve simmering it for longer than 8 minutes.
11. You ca use retailer purchased Italian seasoning or just combine oregano, garlic and onion powders, salt and pepper and paprika.
12. Don’t overcook the noodles, it’s essential beneath prepare dinner them as they are going to proceed cooking within the oven. 
13. You may bake the casserole in the identical pot in the event you’d like so long as it’s oven proof. 
14. Keep watch over the panko topping, it must be golden and crisp. 
15. Keep away from serving the dish instantly as will probably be tremendous sizzling, somewhat 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 happy to be as artistic as you’d like.
• Make it spicy by including jalapeños or extra chilli flakes.
• Use cajun spice for a stupendous twist. Additionally add roughly of your favourite spice mix like extra onion powder than garlic.
• Swap cheeses round, and check out totally different varieties. 
• Add in additional seafood. You may add in some canned or cooked Sardines. Whereas they’ve a nasty repute, 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. 

Methods to Make Forward Tuna Casserole?

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

Methods to Freeze and Reheat?

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

Why is my casserole dry?

The 2 most important 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 must be thick, but skinny sufficient to evenly coat each noodle and have some liquid left for baking.

Methods to inform when the casserole is finished?

The perimeters will likely be bubbly, and the tops will likely be golden and crisp. You need to use the fork knife take a look at and insert a knife within the casserole, and whenever you take away it, the knife ought to have a thick coating on it not a skinny one.

What to Serve with Tuna Casserole

Quite a lot 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 very best Sandwich too!

Viral Tuna Recipes

Tuna Tataki
 Crudo
 Wrap
Ahi Tuna Salad
Ceviche
Carpaccio
Tuna Tartare