Thursday, August 11, 2011

Comfort Food Classics - Tuna Noodle Casserole

Definition:  Comfort Food - Noun:    "Food that is simply prepared and associated with a sense of home or contentment".
Psychological Studies:  Comfort foods may be consumed to positively pique emotions, to relieve negative psychological affects or to increase positive feelings.

Is it really the food?  Maybe it's the person that cooked it for you with love....or maybe it could be the smells from the kitchen when you walk in the door, whatever it is, it warms your soul.  A good Comfort Food is plain and simple.  It soothes and makes you feel  All Warm and Fuzzy Inside.

I'm going to be doing a series of Comfort Food Classics - after all I am Comfy Cuisine! I hope you'll join me and link up your favorite comfort food!  If you don't have a post and choose to leave a comment, please include your favorite comfort food - no matter what it is!  Someone told me they like tomato and peanut butter sandwiches!  I'd like to feature some of  your recipes!  

This recipe for Tuna Noodle Casserole is a lighter version - no Cream of Mushroom soup and no Potato Chips - UGH! I will never go back to that old version.  This is a keeper for a quick weeknight dinner.


Ingredients:
  • 8 ounces uncooked wide egg noodles
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrot
  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2-3/4 cups 1% milk
  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) cream cheese (1/3 less fat cream can be used)
  • 2 Tbsp. country Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
  • 2 (5-ounce) cans albacore tuna in water, drained and flaked
  • Cooking spray
Cook noodles according to package directions.  Drain.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add oil to pan.  Add onion and carrot; cook 6 minutes or until carrot is almost tender, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Gradually stir in milk and whisk until slightly thickened, about  minutes.  Stir in cream cheese, mustard, salt and pepper and cook 2 minutes more.

Remove pan from heat and stir in noodles, peas and carrots 1/4 cup Parmigano cheese, and tuna.  Spoon mixture into a broiler-safe 2 quart baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.  Broil 2-3 minutes until golden and bubbly.

~Adapted from Cooking Light
  • Please include a link back to Comfy Cuisine.  Grab my button or put in text somewhere on your page
  • Kindly link directly to YOUR RECIPE and not to your web page
  • Thanks for joining!

Sharing with The Sweet Details - Savory Sunday
Everyday Mom's Meals - Church Supper
Gooseberry Patch - Your Best Comfort Foods
Iron Chef Mom - Cream Cheese Battle

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting Patti!
    I love Linky Parties!

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  2. Thanks for hosting, and stopping by Church Supper. Tuna Noodle is one of my hubby's favorites.
    Se you again next week.

    Everyday Mom's Meals

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Patti. I finally made it over here..lol. thank you for inviting me to share :)

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  4. I have not have tuna noodle casserole in forever. The recipe looks like it will be easy to alter to a dairy and gluten free version. I will give it a try.

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  5. Excellent! No cream of soup cans for our family either. :-) I Pinned it and will be using your recipe soon. Tuna noodle casserole is one of our son's favorite meals.

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  6. Just discovered your tuna noodle casserole recipe...this looks so tasty! I love the idea of adding cream cheese and mustard. I must try it :)

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  7. I love leaving comments on those who link up at my blog! Thanks for all your links in my Lent Fish & Seafood Friday! I gave your post a pin and the linky is still going! If you have more, feel free to add! Susie

    http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2012/02/lent-fish-friday-link-up-seafood.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love tuna noodle casserole and this just looks delish! I'm hosting an Iron Chef Mom link party and this week our secret ingredient is cream cheese. I'd love it if you came and linked up this recipe! http://growingupgabel.com/iron-chef-mom-cream-cheese-battle/

    ReplyDelete

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