Skip to main content

Lighter Than Mom's Tuna-Noodle Casserole

3.0

(55)

Reduced-fat cream cheese, low-fat milk and water-packed canned tuna are the secrets to this updated take on a 1950s favorite.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1/4 cup dry white wine
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups low-fat (1%) milk
1 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
2 tablespoons Neufchâtel cheese (reduced-fat cream cheese)
1 6-ounce can solid white tuna packed in water, undrained
1 6-ounce can chunk light tuna packed in water, undrained
1 cup frozen petite peas, unthawed
8 ounces farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
1/2 cup crushed baked potato chips (about 1 ounce)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Whisk wine and cornstarch in small bowl to blend. Whisk flour in heavy medium saucepan to remove any lumps. Gradually add milk to flour, whisking until smooth. Add broth and thyme and whisk over medium heat until liquid thickens and boils, about 4 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture and whisk until liquid boils and is smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add Neufch‰tel cheese and whisk until melted. Stir in both cans of tuna with their liquid and frozen peas. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Return to pot.

    Step 3

    Add tuna mixture to pasta; stir to blend well. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with potato chips. Bake until top is golden and sauce bubbles around edges of dish, about 25 minutes.

Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.