I’ve admitted in the past that I have a secret love for canned soup casseroles, but it has been years since I’ve made one at home because I just don’t cook that way anymore. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’ve missed them, and from time to time, I think about how I might put one together without adding a can or three of that sodium-laden, over-processed cream-of-whatever to the mix.
Dinners this week have been largely unplanned. All of the energy I would normally have put toward sketching out a meal plan for the week has been directed elsewhere: to making lists, making plans, making arrangements and sorting out the numbers in preparation for our move. And again, there is the matter of clearing the freezer and pantry, paring things down so we can start fresh at our new home.
By the time lunch rolled around yesterday, I was in the unfamiliar (for me) position of still not knowing what I was going to cook for dinner. We are, as you can imagine, trying to be particularly thrifty these days so going out wasn’t really an option, and though I could have had Mike stop and pick up something fresh to cook up, that really goes against the whole culling thing that we’re trying to do. So I thought back to the cupboards, fridge and freezer, and inspiration struck: I had half a brick of cream cheese left over from Wednesday night’s stuffed chicken breasts, a couple of cans of good tuna on the shelves, and the last of the peas I shelled, blanched and froze last summer. The cream cheese, when mixed into a basic béchamel sauce, might just work as the base for a tuna noodle casserole…
It did work, and beautifully, making a thick, creamy and flavorful sauce to bind the cooked pasta, fresh peas, drained and chunked tuna and some mushrooms which I had chopped and sautéed until golden with shallot, sherry and dried marjoram. As with all good canned soup casseroles, this one got a cheesy, crisp topping of grated parm and dried breadcrumbs, which baked to a golden crust. This was the comfort food of my youth elevated to a new (guilt-free) level, and I can’t wait to play with future variations.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m shocked that you like the canned soup casseroles, totally not your style these days! But it’s good to see this side of you too
The wife and I like to do a variation on this with canned salmon, roasted broccoli, edamame. Béchamel with dry mustard, smoked gouda & white cheddar, finish with sherry & butter. It’s a shame she’s camera shy — I keep prompting her to play along with the blog fun.
i am a tuna casserole fanatic. of all casseroles, it is the one i love/crave. i need to give this a whirl at some point. i have a recipe i made up years ago that i made with fresh tuna. i need to dig it up. and yes, at this point in our lives – no cans necessary/allowed. would ruin it, imho… cream cheese. fabbo!
I haven’t had this in ages. Too many ages to remember but i might give it a try!
Sometimes a good pantry raid turns out a pretty darn good dish, doesn’t it? Looks very comforting!!
Do you have a particular bechamel sauce you would recommend? This looks delicious!
I love your blog, I added a link in my blog, I hope that is ok!
Jennifer, even your pantry raids turn out elegant. Brava! And good luck on the upcoming move.
Bless you. I have been searcing for a healthy alternative to my beloved cream of… caserole. I (embarassingly) miss them, and I’m so glad to see a way to recreate the cheesey, creamy goodness. Thank you.
Hillary – you can take the girl out of the Midwest…
Craig – Oh, that sounds great!
Claudia – I’m telling you, that cream cheese worked magic.
Mary – Do it!
RecipeGirl – Thanks!
Sharon – I generally whisk a couple of tablespoons of flour into a couple of tablespoons of melted butter, let it cook for a few minutes , then whisk in my milk. I have to say I generally just eyeball it, but I think I used two cups of milk for this?
Rhonda – Thanks!
Terry B – Aw, you’re sweet. Thank you!
banana – Give this a shot – I was really pleased with the result and hopefully you will be, too!
This sounds wonderful – I also don’t like using canned soups in casseroles, so this is a nice alternative. Thanks for sharing! (BTW, first time visitor and I love your blog, especially the photos!)