Classic Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole is one of those classic recipes that has many variations. It's a warm, bubbly dish that can be tailored to anyone's taste preferences. It's easy to make with a few staples so when you don't have a dinner plan, this dish will more than satisfy, and it's a great way to get seafood into your diet. Depending on the ingredients you choose, tuna casserole can be made for under $12.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 15 - 20 minutes

Servings: 6 - 8

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of elbow macaroni (or substitute egg noodles, or shell pasta)

• 10 ounces of chunk tuna in water, drained (2 packets or 2 cans)

• 1/2 cup of milk

• 1/2 cup frozen peas (or canned peas, drained)

• 1 can of cream of mushroom condensed soup (can substitute creamy chicken or cream of celery)

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - save 1/2 for topping

• 1 cup panko bread crumbs for topping

One of the really nice things about this recipe is that you can customize it to your family's tastes by changing the type of soup,  vegetable, or pasta used.  You can also add ingredients like diced onions, fresh mushrooms, or diced red peppers (this dish is a great way to "sneak" vegetables into the diets of people who don't like vegetables).  You could even change the protein from tuna fish to canned chicken, or salmon.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Prepare the macaroni by boiling in water until not quite done. The macaroni will continue to cook in the oven.  In a mixing bowl, stir together the soup and milk.  Add the tuna fish and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the soup.

Put the prepared macaroni in a 13" x 9" baking dish. Stir in the tuna mixture. Stir in the frozen peas.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese on the top of the casserole.  Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of the shredded cheese.

Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted.  Let cool for about 5 minutes, then serve.

If you have leftovers, you can easily freeze them for later.  Just defrost the frozen casserole, then cook the thawed casserole at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°.