Tuna Noodle Casserole

My kids were 10 and 13 when we took them to Disneyland for the first time.  I spent months planning, organizing and packing to create a magical Disney vacation.  We dined with princesses, we rode the newest rides and we met all of their favorite Disney characters. 

12 years later, the only thing that my daughter remembers about the "great Davis Disney adventure" is standing in line for the Dumbo ride with her dad when the skies opened up. 🌧 Despite being completely drenched, they still proceeded to climb aboard the elephant ride and take it if or a spin. 🐘Her memory of that trip is shopping for dry clothes (and shoes) when they got off that ride.  🤷🏻‍♀️

As parents, we planned all kinds of extraordinary events in an effort to create lifelong memories for our children.  The truth is that the things that they remember is usually the things that were never planned.  The things that happened by accident and the things that seemed ordinary.  

A lot of time was dedicated to meal planning when my kids were younger.  I tried my best to make meal time fun while also providing healthy food for their growing bodies.  If you've ever tried to meal plan for a family - you know how much work is involved.   Planning, shopping, preparing, cleaning - it's a full time job.  Not to mention the fact that when you've got more than one mouth to feed, you've got multiple opinions and preferences.  

I just asked my 22 year old what dinner she remembers most from her childhood.  Her answer was fish sticks!  🤣🤣🤷🏻‍♀️  Seriously?  Frozen fish sticks is what I made when Ben and I were going out to dinner and I just needed a quick meal to feed the kids.  It was my go-to meal for babysitter nights - which is probably why they thought is was such a treat.  🐟 

The other day, this same adult child was describing to me a new pasta dish that she tried for the very first time.  A pasta dish with tuna and a creamy, white sauce.  After listening to her describe this "tuna casserole", I informed her that she had consumed this dish many times as a child.  She insisted that I never made it for her before.  😅 

Kids.  They remember the Dumbo ride in the rain and the fish stick nights but not my homemade tuna casserole?  I'm pretty sure I did the same thing to my parents so I guess it's just the way our childhood brains work.  Even though my kids might not remember them, rest assured,  I've made my fair share of tuna casseroles over the years.  I looked back at the recipe that I posted back in 2016 and decided it might be time for an update.  I'm hoping that this leaves a bigger impression on my family than my previous tuna casserole. 😂

Tuna Noodle Casserole
8 ounces medium shells pasta
 1 tablespoon salted butter
 1 celery rib, diced
 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
 1 cup frozen peas
 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna, drained
 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Sauce
 3 tablespoons salted butter
 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
 1 cup whole milk
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
 2 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped
 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
 3/4 cup sour cream

Topping
 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. 

Saute celery and onions 3 minutes in 1 T. butter.

Add garlic and mushrooms and cook 3 minutes longer. 

Melt 3 T. butter in saucepan.  Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.

Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk.  Cook until thickened and bubbly. 

Add salt, pepper, parsley, parmesan and lemon juice.​

Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

Combine pasta, sautéed vegetables, tuna, cheese, peas and sauce in bowl.

Transfer to a greased 9x13" baking dish or 2 smaller dishes. 

Combine crackers and melted butter. 

Sprinkle over casserole. 

Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top. 

Cover and freeze OR bake 24-30 minutes at 350.
If frozen, thaw overnight and  bake 35-40 minutes. 

Writing blog posts can consume a lot of my time and sometimes I wonder if it's even worth it.  Then there are days when my kids question whether or not I've made specific recipes and I'm thankful that I have the blog as evidence.  It was never intended to be used as a deposition but sometimes, the proof is in the picture.  🤣📸

​Ciao!

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