Cheesy Tuna Pasta Casserole
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna, drained well and flaked
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup frozen peas, broccoli, or mixed vegetables, thawed and drained
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Cook the rotini according to the package directions until just tender. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, black pepper, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add the drained tuna, thawed vegetables, and cooked rotini.
- Fold the ingredients together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy cheese sauce.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the melted butter.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Kid Chef Jobs
- Measure the milk, cheese, vegetables, and breadcrumbs.
- Flake the drained tuna with a fork.
- Stir together the sauce and seasonings.
- Fold the tuna, pasta, and vegetables into the sauce.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole.
- Mix and add the breadcrumb topping after the butter has cooled slightly.
Adult Helper
An adult should cook and drain the pasta, open and drain the tuna cans, melt the butter, handle the hot baking dish, and place the casserole in and out of the oven.
Make It Extra Creamy
Stir 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt into the sauce before adding the tuna and pasta. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the mixture seems too thick.
Easy Variations
- Replace rotini with penne, shells, elbows, or whole-wheat pasta.
- Use sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Swiss, or a blend of cheeses.
- Add broccoli, peas, corn, spinach, mushrooms, or diced bell peppers.
- Replace the breadcrumbs with crushed buttery crackers, cornflakes, or potato chips.
- Add paprika, parsley, dill, onion powder, or a small amount of mustard powder.
- Use canned salmon or chopped cooked chicken instead of tuna.
Recipe, image, and content from
Kids-Cooking-Activities.com