Tuna Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lbpasta
), shape of your choice (I use cavatappi
- 6 tbspunsalted butter
- 1 conion
from about 1 medium onion
- 1 tbspgarlic
from about 3 cloves
- ¼ call-purpose flour
- 3 cwhole milk
- 2 csharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cgruyere cheese
- 1 tsppaprika
- 1 tspparsley
- 1 ¾ tspsalt
divided
- 1 tsppepper
- 25-oz. cans tuna
drained and flaked), (I recommend solid white albacore
- 1 ½ cpanko
- Chopped parsley
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly butter or oil a 13x9 baking dish.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and boil until al dente. Drain pasta and keep in colander so you can use pot for the cheese sauce.
- 3
Melt butter in the pot you cooked the pasta in over medium heat. Once melted, pour 2 Tbsp into a medium bowl and set aside (this will be for the panko topping). Add onion to butter and cook for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- 4
Add flour to the remaining melted butter in the pot and whisk for a minute, without letting flour darken. Whisk in milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer before reducing heat to medium-low and letting simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken a bit.
- 5
Remove saucepan from the heat and whisk in both cheeses, paprika, dried parsley, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper.
- 6
Add pasta and tuna to pot with cheese sauce. Toss to combine.
- 7
Add panko and remaining 1/4 tsp salt to bowl with remaining butter and toss to coat.
- 8
Transfer macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with buttered panko.
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, uncovered, until panko browns and gets crispy.
- 10
Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Tuna Mac and Cheese
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About this Recipe
Indulge in the Ultimate Creamy Tuna Mac and Cheese
Forget everything you thought you knew about traditional comfort food! This Tuna Mac and Cheese recipe takes classic macaroni and cheese to a whole new level of deliciousness. If you're searching for inventive Canned Tuna Recipes or a fresh take on beloved Mac and Cheese Recipes, you've found your new favorite. This dish is designed to be the ultimate creamy, cheesy, and satisfying meal, perfect for any night of the week.
What makes this particular Tuna Mac and Cheese truly special? It all starts with our unbelievably rich and velvety cheese sauce. We combine the sharp, tangy notes of sharp cheddar cheese with the nutty, complex flavors of Gruyere, creating a depth that's simply irresistible. This isn't your average mac and cheese; it's a gourmet experience disguised as a hearty, home-style meal.
We then fold in tender flakes of high-quality canned tuna, transforming this comfort classic into a protein-packed entrée. This makes it a fantastic, more delicious alternative to tired tuna noodle casseroles. Choose your favorite pasta shape – we love cavatappi for its ability to capture all that glorious sauce – and prepare for a dish that's both nostalgic and exciting. With aromatic onion, garlic, and a hint of paprika and dried parsley, every bite is a symphony of flavors. A golden, crispy panko topping adds that perfect textural contrast, elevating the entire dish.
Tips for the Best Tuna Mac and Cheese:
- Choose Your Tuna Wisely: While any canned tuna works, solid white albacore in oil or water will give you the best texture and flavor.
- Don't Skimp on Cheese: The combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyere is key to the sauce's depth. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like fontina or smoked gouda for a twist.
- Perfect Pasta: Any short, sturdy pasta shape that holds sauce well (like cavatappi, elbow macaroni, shells, or rotini) will work wonderfully in this recipe.
Serve this hearty Tuna Mac and Cheese with a simple green salad or some steamed vegetables for a complete and utterly satisfying meal. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a brilliant way to enjoy Tuna Recipes in a whole new light.