Quick & Tasty Crispy Tuna Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Comfort food takes on a delightful twist with this mouthwatering crispy tuna and green bean casserole that promises to shake up your dinner routine.

Packed with layers of rich flavors and contrasting textures, this dish brings together the classic appeal of seafood and garden-fresh vegetables.

The golden, crunchy topping creates an irresistible crackle with every forkful, making each bite a delectable experience.

Tender tuna melds perfectly with crisp green beans, creating a harmonious blend that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting upgrade with this simple yet impressive recipe that delivers maximum satisfaction.

Dive into this comforting casserole and treat yourself to a meal that’s sure to become a new household favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 590 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients Inside Crispy Tuna and Green Bean Casserole

• Ziti Pasta: Hearty pasta that provides a satisfying base with excellent sauce-holding capabilities.
• Haricots Verts: Delicate French green beans that add crisp texture and vibrant color to the casserole.

• Butter: Rich ingredient providing deep flavor and smooth texture for sautéing and creating roux.
• Leeks: Mild onion-like vegetable that adds subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the dish.
• Gourmet Mushroom Blend: Earthy mushrooms delivering complex umami flavor and meaty texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickening agent for creating smooth, velvety sauce consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious base that creates ultra-rich and silky sauce.
• Organic Vegetable Broth: Adds depth and subtle vegetable undertones to enhance overall flavor.
• Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: Tangy, melty cheese that provides robust flavor and creamy texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Nutty, salty cheese that adds complex flavor and helps create crispy topping.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors throughout the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and enhances other ingredients' flavors.

• Solid White Tuna: Lean protein that brings maritime freshness and substantial texture.
• Fresh Chives: Delicate onion-like herb that provides bright, fresh finish.

Tools You’ll Use for This Casserole

• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing leeks, mushrooms, and making the cream sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending flour, cream, and cheese without lumps.
• 13×9-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for assembling and baking the entire casserole.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping chives, leeks, and other ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta and green beans quickly.
• Small Bowls: Great for preparing topping and setting aside mixtures.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts.

Step-by-Step for Tuna Green Bean Bake

Ocean Treasure Casserole

• Oven Preparation Warm and Ready

Set the oven to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect environment for your delicious meal.

• Pasta and Green Bean Dance

Boil pasta following package guidance. Quickly blanch green beans in salted water, then shock them in ice water to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.

• Veggie Flavor Foundation

In a skillet, sauté leeks and mushrooms until they develop a rich, golden-brown color, releasing their deep earthy essence.

• Creamy Cheese Transformation

Create a velvety sauce by whisking butter, flour, cream, and broth. Fold in sharp cheddar and parmesan, seasoning with salt and pepper for a luxurious base.

• Seafood and Vegetable Symphony

Combine the silky sauce with pasta, flaky tuna, fresh herbs, green beans, and sautéed vegetables in a harmonious blend.

• Crispy Golden Crown

Top the casserole with a crunchy mixture of potato chips, breadcrumbs, and parmesan, promising a satisfying textural contrast.

• Baked Perfection

Bake until the casserole bubbles with excitement and the topping turns a beautiful golden brown, about 35-40 minutes.

• Serving Celebration

Allow the casserole to rest briefly, then serve with a sprinkle of fresh chives, inviting everyone to dive into this ocean-inspired comfort dish.

Tuna Bake Flavor Boost Tips

• Flavor Boost Hack: Swap regular tuna with smoked or jarred Italian tuna for an intense, rich seafood taste that elevates the entire casserole's flavor profile.
• Cheese Twist: Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, fontina, or aged white cheddar to create unique, personalized flavor layers in the cream sauce.
• Veggie Swap Magic: Replace green beans with asparagus, broccoli, or roasted Brussels sprouts to add seasonal variety and nutritional diversity to the dish.
• Crunch Factor Upgrade: Try alternative crispy toppings like crushed Ritz crackers, seasoned cornflakes, or herbed breadcrumbs to add exciting texture and unexpected crunch to the casserole's surface.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time.

How to Serve Crispy Tuna Bake

• Gourmet Dinner Night: Elevate this tuna casserole into a sophisticated dinner experience by pairing it with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, which complements the creamy sauce and seafood perfectly.
• Family Comfort Meal: Transform this dish into a cozy family dinner by serving alongside a fresh garden salad with light vinaigrette, creating a balanced and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.
• Leftover Magic: Repurpose any remaining casserole into delicious lunch portions by portioning into individual containers, which can be quickly reheated and enjoyed the next day for a convenient and tasty meal prep option.
• Herb Garden Boost: Enhance the dish's flavor profile by sprinkling additional fresh chopped herbs like dill or chervil on top just before serving, adding a vibrant and aromatic finishing touch to the creamy casserole.

Meal Prep Notes for Tuna Casserole

• Smart Storage Strategies
• Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain flavor and prevent moisture absorption.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm individual servings in microwave for 1-2 minutes. For larger portions, restore crispiness by using oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Make-Ahead Wisdom: Assemble casserole up to 24 hours before baking. Cover and refrigerate unbaked. When ready, remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to ensure even temperature distribution.

Mouthwatering Tuna and Green Bean Casserole

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Midwestern comfort shines through this crispy tuna and green bean casserole recipe, combining nostalgic flavors with crunchy textures. Creamy sauce and golden breadcrumb topping invite home cooks to savor classic comfort meal memories.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (16 oz/454 g) package ziti pasta
• 1 (12 oz/340 g) can solid white tuna in spring water, drained
• 1 (8 oz/227 g) package haricots verts (thin green beans), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups (8 oz/227 g) shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese
• 6 tbsps butter, divided
• 6 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 tbsps butter, melted
• 2 medium leeks, thinly sliced
• 2 (4 oz/113 g) packages fresh gourmet mushroom blend
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup organic vegetable broth
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh chives
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon or parsley
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable cooking spray
• ¼ cup crushed potato chips
• ¼ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• Garnish: sliced fresh chives

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and gather all ingredients for a delectable pasta casserole.
2. Pasta and Vegetable Prep: Cook pasta and blanch green beans in salted boiling water. Shock beans in ice water, drain, and set aside while preparing other components.
3. Aromatic Base: Sauté leeks and mushrooms in butter until leeks become translucent and mushrooms develop golden edges, releasing their rich, earthy fragrance.
4. Creamy Sauce Development: Craft a luxurious sauce by creating a roux with butter and flour, then slowly whisking in heavy cream and vegetable broth. Simmer until the mixture thickens and becomes velvety smooth.
5. Cheese Integration: Incorporate Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and creating a seamless, creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
6. Ingredient Fusion: Combine cooked pasta, tuna, green beans, sautéed leeks and mushrooms, chives, and tarragon in the cheese sauce. Ensure all ingredients are evenly coated and distributed throughout the mixture.
7. Topping Preparation: Create a crispy topping by mixing crushed potato chips, panko breadcrumbs, additional Parmesan, and melted butter. This will provide a delightful crunch to the casserole.
8. Assembly and Baking: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, spread evenly, and generously top with the prepared crispy breadcrumb mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and the interior becomes bubbling hot.
9. Serving: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chives and serve immediately, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to settle.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Choose al dente pasta to prevent mushiness during baking and maintain texture.
• Vegetable Crispness: Blanch green beans briefly and shock in ice water to preserve bright color and crisp texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Shred cheeses freshly and add gradually to prevent clumping and ensure smooth sauce consistency.
• Topping Crunch Factor: Mix breadcrumbs and potato chips just before sprinkling to maintain maximum crispiness and prevent sogginess.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg