Description
A comforting and creamy cheesy tuna casserole made with tender pasta, canned tuna, sweet peas, and a rich cheese sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs for a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
12 ounces elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
2 (5-ounce) cans tuna in water, drained
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden, stirring constantly.
Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 5 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Add the drained tuna, thawed peas, and chopped onion to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine.
Fold the cooked macaroni into the sauce mixture until evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly coated.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes