Classic Cheesy Tuna Casserole with Green Beans
Tender rotini pasta and French-cut green beans are coated in a creamy blend of garlic, onion, and cream of mushroom soup, creating the perfect base for chunks of savory tuna. Topped with sharp cheddar cheese and crunchy golden breadcrumbs (easily made gluten-free), this dish is baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotini pasta
- 1 ½ tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ cups diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cans tuna drained
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (15 oz) can french cut green beans drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese freshly grated
- ⅓ cup milk or cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- salt & pepper to taste
For Breadcrumb Topping:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pasta
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta until al dente, following package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
Cook the Aromatics
- In a frying pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove the pan from heat.
Combine the Casserole Base
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, onion mixture, cream of mushroom soup, drained tuna, drained green beans, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped parsley, milk, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
Prepare the Baking Dish
- Lightly grease a 9x9-inch oven-safe baking dish with butter or oil.
- Pour the casserole mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly.
Make the Topping
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, and 1 tablespoon melted butter.
- Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
Assemble and Bake
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb and cheese topping evenly over the casserole mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Rest and Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to set before serving.
- Enjoy warm with your favorite side salad or crusty bread (gluten-free if needed).
Notes
- To make gluten-free:
- Rotini Pasta: To make a gluten-free tuna casserole, use gluten-free rotini pasta or another gluten-free pasta variety like penne or fusilli.
- Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crush gluten-free crackers as a crunchy topping. You can also make your own breadcrumbs by toasting gluten-free bread.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Choose a gluten-free version of canned cream of mushroom soup, or make your own with gluten-free flour.
- Cheddar Cheese: Most cheddar cheeses are naturally gluten-free, but always check the label to confirm there are no added gluten-containing ingredients.
- To make dairy-free:
- Cheddar Cheese: Use a dairy-free shredded cheese blend that melts well, such as a coconut-based or almond-based cheese alternative.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Replace with a dairy-free, gluten-free cream of mushroom soup or make your own using coconut milk or almond milk as the base.
- Butter (if using): Swap with a dairy-free butter or olive oil.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this casserole in advance! Assemble it up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, just pop it in the oven—add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it’s cold from the fridge.
- Perfect Pasta: Cook the pasta slightly underdone (al dente) since it will continue to cook while baking in the casserole, ensuring it doesn’t get mushy.
- Nutritional Information is an estimate only and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used.
Nutrition
Calories: 488kcalCarbohydrates: 49.3gProtein: 29.1gFat: 19.8gSaturated Fat: 9.8gCholesterol: 66.6mgFiber: 6.2gSugar: 7.5g
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