Not Your Average Casserole
Joe requested tuna casserole for the week, and I happily obliged. I started with this recipe and decided to tweak it a bit. It’s a great recipe because it looks and tastes like it should be really unhealthy, but it’s not. The original called for 5 cups (!!) of whole milk. Whoa buddy, I don’t think so. Here’s my version of the recipe, slimmed up a bit:
Betsy’s Mediterranean Inspired Tuna Casserole
16 oz whole wheat pasta
1/4 C olive oil
1 C cherry tomatoes (or other small variety)
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 C all purpose flour
2 C skim milk
3/4 C sour cream
small can of artichokes (I used ones packed in oil, vinger & herbs)
5 scallions
18 oz canned tuna
1/2 C shredded Parmesan cheese
* Preheat oven to 400º
1. Cook pasta for 8 minutes. Drain, return to pot.
2. Coat the bottom of a dutch oven with olive oil and heat over medium. Add tomatoes, season with salt & pepper, simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic, stir for another minute or 2.
4. Add flour, stir for 30 seconds.
5. Slowly pour in the milk, whisk vigorously for 3 – 5 minutes until all lumps are gone and it starts to thicken.
6. Stir in sour cream, mixture should start simmering/bubbling.
7. Add in chopped artichokes, scallions, 18 oz tuna.
8. Spoon into a glass baking dish (I separated it into 2 small ones), sprinkle Parmesan over the top.
9. Bake for 20 minutes until golden & bubbly.
Enjoy!
When it was just pasta and creamy tomato sauce I wanted to eat it right then & there.
But I pressed on and continued with the rest of the recipe, creating this masterpiece:
The whole thing was kind of pink because the tomatoes basically disintegrated into heavenly mushiness.
The scallions & artichokes added even more intrigue. A very filling & tasty dish!
Tomorrow is my last day of work until after New Years…. Wow, I just got really excited when I realized that! How awesome. Unfortunately Joe is still plugging away with his studying – his last final is Thursday morning and then we hit the road & get hitched. But I’m sure I’ll see you again before that. 
That’s all for now!
That casserole looks fantastic. Just the pasta and creamy sauce does look mighty fine! MMM makes me crave mac and cheese. Have a great last day of work tomorrow! That is the best feeling when your done for a bit. Can’t wait to hear all about your amazing adventures your about to have.
Wow that looks amazing! You should come to my house and cook for me while I study!
Totally trumps my casserole with cream of whatever in it last week… looks amazing!
I’m not a big tuna fan…but that casserole looks amazing! I may have to try it with chicken, hehe.
Sounds and lo0ks delicious. I saw you tweet about was wondering if you would be posting the recipe!
Mmmm that looks delicious!! Thanks for healthing it up a bit
That looks amazing! It’s hard for me to get excited about tuna casserole but I just might have to make your recipe.
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wow, that casserole looks AMAZING! i can’t wait to try the recipe myself.
that looks delish. best of luck to you guys this weekend!