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Tuna Noodle Casserole From Scratch

This easy casserole recipe is filled with pantry staples like pasta noodles, lots of vegetables, a creamy savory sauce and Bumble Bee® Solid White Albacore Tuna
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

for casserole:

  • 1 lb dried macaroni or cavatappi pasta noodles 
  • 3 tbs olive oil
  • 2 celery stalks diced 
  • ½ yellow onion diced 
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced 
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 ½ cups spinach leaves 
  • 1 cup frozen peas 
  • 1 5 oz can of Bumble Bee White® Solid Albacore Tuna, drained

for topping:

  • 1 sleeve of crackers such as Ritz, crushed (about 3/4 cup)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • salt & cracked black pepper to season
  • 1 cup shredded cheese like cheddar or havarti

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 F and grease a 2 quart casserole dish with butter or non stick spray. 
  • Bring a large stock pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente according to package directions.
  • In a large skillet heat olive oil on medium heat. Add in celery, yellow onion and carrots and sprinkle with salt and cracked black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until onions are translucent. Remove celery, yellow onion and carrots from skillet and into a bowl, set aside.
  • In the same skillet heat butter on medium heat until melted. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Slowly whisk in chicken broth and whole milk. Cook for 3-4 minutes, whisking constantly until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Season sauce with garlic powder and a sprinkle of salt and cracked black pepper. 
  • In a large bowl toss together cooked noodles, carrot-celery-onion mixture, sauce, spinach leaves, frozen peas and drained can of Bumble Bee® tuna. Transfer to prepared casserole dish.
  • In a medium bowl crush the crackers. Stir crackers with melted butter, garlic powder and season with salt and cracked black pepper. Top the casserole evenly with cracker mixture and shredded cheese.
  • Bake the casserole for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.