Easy Tuna Casserole for Two

Ingredients

• 3 oz egg noodles (about 1 cup dry or small pasta)
• 6 oz canned tuna (solid or chunk, Albacore recommended, drained)
• 1/4 cup celery (VERY finely chopped *see Note 1 below)
• 1/4 cup green onion (finely chopped, green part only)
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or miracle whip)
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• Pinch dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup pasta cooking water (*see Note 2 below)
• Salt and pepper (for topping)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup cup dried bread crumbs or panko (or dried bread crumbs)
• 1 Tablespoon butter (melted)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F (regular setting/not fan-assisted)

2. 2

   Start a large pot of water to boil and salt generously. When the water is boiling, add the noodles and cook to al dente per the package instructions. **Do not drain pasta before removing some of the cooking water to use in the casserole later!

3. 3

   Meanwhile, drain tuna and add to a large bowl. Add celery, green onion and frozen peas and use a fork to combine and break the tuna apart into large chunks, as needed.

4. 4

   Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, dry mustard, thyme, salt and freshly ground pepper. Stir to combine.

5. 5

   Remove pasta from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and add to the tuna mixture. Measure out the required amount of pasta cooking water and add to the bowl with the tuna mixture. Stir to combine well. **If making the casseroles in individual dishes, add a bit more of the pasta water (1-2 Tbsp), as the individual dishes cook off liquid more quickly and it is better to start with a bit more.

6. 6

   Transfer mixture to a baking dish or dishes. Top with a bit more salt and pepper, then sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top.

7. 7

   Add the bread crumbs to a small bowl. Add the melted butter and stir to combine and moisten the crumbs. Evenly spoon the bread crumbs over the casserole (or casseroles).

8. 8

   Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Do not over-bake, or it will dry out the casserole.