Italian Tuna Casserole Recipes

ZESTY ITALIAN TUNA CASSEROLE RECIPE - (4.7/5)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta to package directions and drain. Heat olive oil in small skillet. Sauté onions and garlic for about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté an additional 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Mix in tuna, tomatoes, red peppers, pasta and 1/4 cup of cheese. Spoon into small baking dish and bake for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with additional cheese and return to oven for another 5 minutes to melt cheese.

TUNA ITALIANO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions (I find that 12 minutes is perfect, especially when using them in a casserole where there will be additional cooking).
• While the noodles are cooking, heat butter in medium frying pan and cook onions until tender but not brown.
• (Butter gives the recipe more taste but a non-stick spray can be used in place of butter. I don't recommend margarine- it doesn't melt properly.).
• Add soup, milk and cheese; heat and stir.
• Add tuna, mushrooms, olives, parsley and lemon juice.
• Stir well and heat through.
• Stir 1/2 of the cooked noodles into the tuna mixture. Mix well. Add more or all of the noodles as desired (the more noodles, the thicker the casserole consistency).
• Pour mixture into 2 qt casserole dish.
• (If doubling the recipe, use a 9"x13" pan.).
• Sprinkle top with remaining Parmesan cheese and the paprika.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• (Watch that noodles don't burn-- may need to cook only 20 minutes depending on your oven).
• Before removing from oven, sprinkle top with onion rings and bake an additional 5 minutes.
• Watch that the onion rings don't burn.

ITALIAN TUNA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Place spinach on a plate and microwave it for 6 minutes on HIGH to defrost it; place it in a clean kitchen towel and wring it dry; set aside.
• While the spinach is defrosting, get a big pot of water on the stove; bring to a boil; then salt the water liberally and cook the shells to al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, heat a deep large skillet over medium heat.
• Add in the olive oil, then melt the butter into the oil.
• When the butter melts, add in the onions and garlic; cook 4-5 minutes until tender.
• Sprinkle the flour around the pan and cook for a minute, then whisk in the wine-it will cook off and the mixture will thicken almost immediately.
• Whisk in the stock, then whisk in the milk and bring it to a bubble.
• Reduce heat slightly; season the sauce with nutmeg, hot sauce, and mustard; season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer 2-3 minutes to thicken; then add in the spinach, separating it as you add it to the sauce.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Back to the sauce, add in the tuna, flaking it as you go; then stir to combine.
• Heat the spinach and tuna for a minute or so.
• Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce.
• Transfer mixture to a casserole dish; cover it with the cheese.
• Place the casserole under the broiler for 2 minutes to brown the edges and the cheese.
• Top with parsley and serve.

ITALIAN TUNA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Place the spinach on a plate and microwave it for 6 minutes on high to defrost it. Place it in a clean kitchen towel and wring it dry, then reserve.
• While the spinach is defrosting, get a large pot of water on the stove for the pasta. Bring to a boil, then salt the water liberally and cook the shells to al dente.
• While the pasta works, heat a deep, large skillet over medium heat. Add the EVOO, then melt the butter into the oil. When the butter melts, add the onions and garlic and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle the flour around the pan and cook for a minute, then whisk in the wine-it will cook off and the mixture will thicken almost immediately. Whisk in the stock, then whisk in the milk and bring it to a bubble. Reduce the heat a bit. Season the sauce with the nutmeg, hot sauce, and mustard, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken, then add the spinach, separating it as you add it to the sauce.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Back to the sauce: add the tuna, flaking it as you go, then stir to combine. Heat the spinach and tuna through for a minute or so. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Transfer the tuna to a casserole dish and cover it with the Parm or Romano. Place the casserole under the broiler for 2 minutes to brown the edges and the cheese. Top with the parsley and serve.