Sometimes you want an old school dish, something that brings back good memories of the first time on your own or a cozy casual family dinner. This macaroni tuna casserole fits the bill in that category in all the tasty ways. I’d been craving it for a week before I finally had a chance to make it, so when I finally got to have a bit, it was extra delicious.
As a side note, I made this lactose free by using lactose free cheese and milk. I found the original recipe on My Recipes and pretty much followed it, with the addition of bacon and some seasoning. Hubby gave his stamp of approval and even had a couple servings of it for dinner and ate it again for lunch the next day.
The picture of the casserole was taken the next day and was still cold. It reheated wonderfully and Hubby commented how it tasted just a bit better, since it had time to soak everything up.
For the breadcrumbs on top, I used my homemade sourdough seasoned breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 5 strips cooked bacon
- 1 cup frozen petite green peas
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Cooking spray an 8x8 pan or deep dish pie plate.
- Cook pasta according to package direction, drain and place in a large bowl.
- Cut up 2 1/2 strips of the bacon and add to the bowl.
- Add the peas and tuna to the bowl.
- Heat oil and butter in a large sauce pot and melt the butter.
- Add onion and sauté 3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle flour over onion mixture, stirring until blended; cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes.
- Gradually stir in milk, whisking.
- Bring to a simmer; stir in cheddar cheese, and seasoning.
- Cook 1 minute or just until cheese melts.
- Pour over the ingredients in the bowl, stirring to mix.
- Pour mixture into 11x7 inch pan (I used my mega 3 inch deep pie plate).
- Cut up the remaining 2 1/2 strips of bacon and mix with the cup of breadcrumbs.
- Spread evenly over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered, at 375°, for 1 hour. **