Tuna Pasta Casserole With Parmesan Cheese Food

TUNA PASTA RECIPE, MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Bring 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tbsp of kosher salt. Cook the pasta in the boiling water to al dante according to package (most spaghetti will cook in 9 to 11 minutes or so). After the pasta has been cooking for 5 minutes, add the frozen peas to cook with the pasta for the remainder of the time. When the pasta is ready, take ¾ cup of the cooking water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and peas in a colander.
• In a large, deep cooking pan, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium-high till shimmering but not smoking. Add the red bell peppers and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, tossing regularly. Add the garlic and cook, tossing frequently, for 30 seconds or so until fragrant.
• Now, add the cooked pasta and peas to the pan and toss to combine. Add the tuna, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, black pepper, kalamata olives, jalapeno if using, and a big sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil and some of the pasta cooking water as needed. Give everything a toss. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
• Transfer the tuna pasta to serving bowls. Enjoy!

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes less than directed on the package, about 9 minutes. Drain penne, reserving 1 cup pasta water, rinse, and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large, shallow saute pan. Stir in flour and continue stirring until golden, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Add minced onion, bay leaves, and cayenne pepper. Continue cooking until bechamel sauce thickens, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Place the cooked pasta into a large bowl. Add bechamel sauce and mix well. Crumble the drained tuna over the pasta. Add peas and Colby-Jack cheese; mix. Thin the mixture with 2 to 4 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Season with pepper and remaining salt. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add bread cubes; mix well until bread is completely coated. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Top casserole with this bread mixture and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until top is browned and golden, about 10 minutes more.

TUNA CASSEROLE WITH BOW TIES, MUSHROOMS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350. Lightly coat the inside of a 2 ½ to 3 quart baking with vege spray.
• Bring a large of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until barely tender (it will cook further in the oven). Drain well. Return the pasta to the cooking pot.
• Meanwhile heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bell pepper and cook stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and the scallions, and cook, stirring often, until the mushroom juices evaporate and the mushrooms are tender, about 6 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the flour and stir well. Stir in the milk and broth, and bring to a boil, stirring often.
• Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the tuna, ½ cup parmesan and the cayenne. Stir this into the pasta mixture and season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the pasta into the baking dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs and remaining ¼ cup parmesan. Bake until the sauce is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes, then serve hot.