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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and gather all ingredients for a delectable pasta casserole.
- 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.
- Aromatic Base: Sauté leeks and mushrooms in butter until leeks become translucent and mushrooms develop golden edges, releasing their rich, earthy fragrance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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