Tuna Italiano Casserole

Submitted by RedhairMac

"My family was not fond of tuna casseroles until I found this recipe. Not sure where it came from, but I've been making it for years. I think it's the cheese!"

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 -2 tablespoon butter (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup chopped onion (frozen ones are fine)
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (6 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1⁄3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 (6 1/2 ounce) can albacore tuna, drained
• 1 (3 ounce) can sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup chopped ripe black olives
• 2 tablespoons parsley (to taste)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon paprika (to taste)
• 12 -16 ounces extra wide egg noodles, cooked & drained (or any kind of pasta)
• French fried onion rings (another option is to use crushed potato chips)

directions

1. Cook noodles according to package directions (I find that 12 minutes is perfect, especially when using them in a casserole where there will be additional cooking).
2. While the noodles are cooking, heat butter in medium frying pan and cook onions until tender but not brown.
3. (Butter gives the recipe more taste but a non-stick spray can be used in place of butter. I don't recommend margarine- it doesn't melt properly.).
4. Add soup, milk and cheese; heat and stir.
5. Add tuna, mushrooms, olives, parsley and lemon juice.
6. Stir well and heat through.
7. Stir 1/2 of the cooked noodles into the tuna mixture. Mix well. Add more or all of the noodles as desired (the more noodles, the thicker the casserole consistency).
8. Pour mixture into 2 qt casserole dish.
9. (If doubling the recipe, use a 9"x13" pan.).
10. Sprinkle top with remaining Parmesan cheese and the paprika.
11. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
12. (Watch that noodles don't burn-- may need to cook only 20 minutes depending on your oven).
13. Before removing from oven, sprinkle top with onion rings and bake an additional 5 minutes.
14. Watch that the onion rings don't burn.

Reviews

[mama smurf]

Made as written along with topping the casserole with the French fried onion rings. Next time I might add a little garlic (love garlic) but otherwise this was a hit! Made for Spring PAC 2014.

 

[Chef 313014]

This was an excellent recipe! The only thing I did different was to omit the French fried onion rings. It was easy to do and time spent in the kitchen was minimal. Thanks for posting!

 

[sooparmommy]

To all the people who say they don't like tuna casseroles, they have to try this !! Awesome. Yummy . (This coming from a non-tuna eater). I'm just getting ready to make again. The evap. milk and dried onions were a definite hit.

 

[Mike McCartney]

Excellent recipe. I loved the taste and texture of this casserole. The only thing I did differently was to use 2 cans of tuna, and leave out the french fried onions. These were both just a personal thing. I have to admit that my prep time was like 35 minutes instead of 15. I am on the slow side when it comes to cooking. Thanks for the great recipe.