pat's Recipe

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Category: Seafood

coarse salt and ground pepper
10 ounces fresh green beans, stem ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch lengths
1/2 lb gemilli or other short pasta
Bechamel Sauce
2 cans (5 ounces each) solid white albacore
tuna packed in water, drained
5 slices white sandwich bread, crusts
removed, torn into large pieces
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted


In a large saucepan of well salted boiling water, cook green beans until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer green beans to a colander (reserving water). Rinse with cold water until cook; drain. Return water in pan to a boil; add pasta and cook 2 to 3 minutes short of al dente; drain and rinse pasta.
Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine pasta, green beans and bechamel sauce; season with salt and pepper. Gently fold in tuna.
In a food processor, pulse bread until coarse crumbs form. Transfer to a bowl and stir in butter. Transfer tuna mixture to a 2-qt baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Bake until sauce is bubbling and breadcrumbs are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

serves 6