Tuscan Tuna Mac Casserole

A Tuscan herb blend infuses each and every bite of this cheesy tuna casserole recipe with Italian flair. This modern twist on tuna noodle casserole is topped with tomato and basil for more color and garden-fresh flavor.

Tuscan Tuna Mac Casserole
Photo: Andy Lyons
Prep Time:
40 mins
Bake Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
6

Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • 6 tablespoon butter

  • 1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms

  • ½ cup finely chopped red and/or green sweet peppers

  • ¼ cup finely chopped onion

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 ½ cup milk

  • 4 ounce fontina cheese, shredded (1 cup)

  • 2 tablespoon Tuscan Garlic Herb Blend

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 3 cup cooked egg noodles

  • 2 5 ounce cans oil-packed tuna, drained

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

  • 1 tomato, sliced

  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs

Tuscan Garlic Herb Blend

  • 2 tablespoon dried rosemary, crushed

  • 2 tablespoon dried thyme, crushed

  • 4 teaspoon fennel seeds

  • 4 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 2 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed

  • 1 teaspoon dried sage, crushed

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 2-quart au gratin or baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.

  2. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, peppers, and onion. Cook and stir for 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.

  3. Remove from heat and stir in cheese and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the herb mix, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Fold in the noodles, tuna and 3 tablespoons of the basil. Spread in prepared dish and arrange tomato slices over mixture in a single layer.

  4. In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, melted, remaining 1/2 tablespoon herb mix, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle over tomatoes. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and crumbs are golden brown. Garnish with remaining basil.

Tuscan Garlic Herb Blend

  1. Shake everything together in a small jar, cover and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

485 Calories
26g Fat
36g Carbs
27g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 485
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 700mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 27g
Vitamin C 20.7mg 104%
Calcium 265mg 20%
Iron 2.8mg 16%
Potassium 356mg 8%
Fatty acids, total trans 1g
Folate, total 98.8mcg
Vitamin B-12 2.2mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.4mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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