Cheesy Tuna Casserole - A Tuna Casserole Without Canned Soup
Cheesy Tuna Casserole is the perfect combination of elbow macaroni, mixed vegetables and Velveeta cheese. The only thing missing is cream soup. This version is a tuna casserole without canned soup, made from scratch.
Servings: 8 people
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (small diced)
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 10 ounces canned tuna, partially drained
- 2 cups milk
- 6-8 slices Velveeta, sliced thin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 x 8 inch or 2 1/2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook macaroni and frozen vegetables in boiling water until partially cooked, approximately 7 minutes. Drain well.
- In a large skillet, brown onions in butter until softened.
- Whisk in flour, dry mustard, salt and pepper.
- Slowly add in milk, bringing it to a slow simmer until thickened.
- Stir in tuna and cooked macaroni and vegetables.
- Pour into prepared dish.
- Top with thin slices of Velveeta or cheese melt.
- Cook for approximately 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. The Velveeta can be smeared across the entire casserole once it starts melting, approximately 12 minutes into the baking time.
Notes
- Do not drain all the liquid from the tuna; be sure to leave a little of the juices with the tuna to help keep a moist and flavorful cheesy tuna casserole.
- Measure the 1 cup elbow macaroni while it's uncooked.
- There's no need to thaw the frozen vegetables.
- Use peas, carrots or your favorite mixed vegetable blend. I often use a peas, carrots, green beans and corn blend.
- I cook the elbow macaroni and the frozen veggies in the same boiling water. Cook them partially, approximately 7 minutes. This allows it to finish cooking in the oven.
- Don't worry if your thin slices of Velveeta look a little sloppy when you put it in the oven. Once the Velveeta starts to melt, you can spread it out evenly and return it to the oven.
- If you're looking for an old school tuna casserole recipe topped with potato chips, try Mom's Tuna Casserole.