Description
Tuna Casserole is a comforting and easy dinner recipe combining creamy plant-based cheese, tender pasta, and smoky turkey bacon into a hearty, flavorful bake. Perfect for a cozy family meal, this dish offers rich, creamy textures balanced with fresh peas and aromatic onion and garlic, enhanced by a smooth sauce made with plant-based milk and natural flavorings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 (12 oz) can tuna in water, drained
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy (plant-based) cheese
- 1 1/4 cups plant-based milk
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add chopped smoked turkey bacon and sauté until crisp and smoky.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, slowly whisk plant-based milk, creamy (plant-based) cheese, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), and natural gelling agent. Stir continuously until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Combine Tuna and Peas: Gently fold the drained tuna and frozen peas into the sauce, keeping peas bright and slightly firm.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer cooked pasta to a baking dish. Pour tuna and sauce mixture evenly over pasta and stir gently to combine.
- Bake Until Golden: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake casserole for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and beginning to turn golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta to prevent a mushy casserole.
- Use quality smoked turkey bacon for better flavor and less grease.
- Stir tuna and peas gently to maintain texture and prevent the tuna from breaking up too much.
- Season sauce gradually and taste to balance saltiness with brightness from apple cider vinegar (natural).
- Let casserole rest before serving to help it set and make cutting easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: tuna casserole, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, creamy sauce, easy dinner, gluten free
