Tuna Noodle Casserole with Bechamel Sauce

Bechamel is such a wonderful ingredient for so many dishes. With tuna casserole, bechamel eliminates the need for a canned cream soup... its thick, creamy texture clings to the pasta and adds tremendous flavor overall. The amount used in this recipe keeps the entire casserole light but still filling.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 430 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 ½ cups cold milk
• 2 leaf (blank)s bay leaves
• ½ (16 ounce) package penne pasta
• 1 ½ cups frozen peas
• 1 ½ cups grated Colby-Jack cheese
• 5 tablespoons salted butter, divided
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tuna in water, drained
• 4 slices bread, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until top is browned and golden, about 10 minutes more.