Best Healthier Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipes

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WE LIGHTENED UP THE CLASSIC TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE



We Lightened up the Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole image

A comfort-filled classic, the traditional dish features a cast of hefty characters-cream, cheese, and noodles-and delivers nearly 700 calories and a day's worth of sat fat with just one helping. In an attempt to introduce fresher ingredients while staying true to the classic, we start by bolstering the filling with meaty mushrooms, lots of aromatics, and herbs. Tomato paste adds a tangy counterpoint to the creamy, noodle-coating sauce, while Dijon mustard and lemon zest add zing. Canned tuna is a pantry staple that takes center stage in our remake (with just as many beneficial omega-3s as fresh). In lieu of a breadcrumb or potato chip topper, we use fresh dill and sharp cheddar to round out this dinner with bright flavor and cheesy goodness for less sodium.

Provided by Jamie Vespa, MS, RD

Time 55m

Yield Serves 6 (serving size: 2 cups)

Number Of Ingredients 19

12 ounces uncooked whole-wheat egg noodles
1 tablespoon canola oil
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups unsalted chicken stock
2 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons lemon zest plus 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 (4-oz.) cans unsalted albacore tuna in water, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
Cooking spray
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook noodles according to package instructions until very al dente, omitting salt and fat. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium. Add mushrooms; cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook until tender, about 4 more minutes. Add thyme; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Add butter; stir to melt. Whisk in flour; cook until roux is golden, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, add stock; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; whisk in milk, tomato paste, mustard, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Return to a simmer; simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Pour mixture into bowl with noodles. Stir in tuna and dill.
  • Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer tuna mixture to baking dish; top with cheese. Bake at 375°F until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Let stand at room temperature 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with dill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 439, Carbohydrate 55 g, Fat 13 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 30 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 640 mg, Sugar 9 g, UnsaturatedFat 5 g

HEALTHIER TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE



Healthier Tuna Noodle Casserole image

Opting for low-fat Alfredo sauce and sour cream lightens up this weeknight-friendly tuna casserole that packs plenty of veggies alongside whole wheat pasta, keeping it hearty enough to take to your next potluck. Garnish with fresh dill.

Provided by Juliana Hale

Categories     Seafood     Fish     Tuna

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

cooking spray
2 cups whole-grain bow-tie pasta
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
½ cup chopped onion
⅓ cup chopped celery
⅓ cup chopped red bell pepper
⅓ cup chopped carrot
1 ½ cups light Alfredo sauce (such as Classico® Light Creamy Alfredo)
½ cup light sour cream
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons snipped fresh dill
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (5 ounce) can solid white tuna (water pack), drained and broken into chunks
⅓ cup whole wheat panko bread crumbs
4 wedges lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Coat a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, celery, bell pepper, and carrot; cook until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.
  • Whisk together Alfredo sauce, sour cream, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, dill, and black pepper in a large bowl. Stir in cooked pasta, vegetables, and tuna until combined. Transfer to the prepared dish. In a small bowl, stir together panko and remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan; sprinkle over casserole. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.
  • Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, until browned and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 543.7 calories, Carbohydrate 62.4 g, Cholesterol 72 mg, Fat 21.6 g, Fiber 8.9 g, Protein 28.3 g, SaturatedFat 12.8 g, Sodium 1066.2 mg, Sugar 9.4 g

TUNA CASSEROLE



Tuna Casserole image

This is a surprisingly lowfat version of the classic tuna casserole you grew up with. You make your own creamy mixture, which replaces the high-fat condensed soup in the original version. Fresh bread crumbs toast right on top of the casserole!

Provided by Ellie Krieger

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings, serving size, 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 14

5 slices whole-wheat bread, crusts included
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large stalk celery, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 (10-ounce) box white mushroom, stemmed and chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups 1 percent milk
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 pound whole-wheat fettuccine noodles, broken into thirds and cooked according to package directions
1 (10-ounce) box frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 (10-ounce) box frozen peas, thawed
4 (6-ounce) cans chunk light tuna in water, drained

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Place bread in food processor and pulse for 30 seconds into bread crumbs (makes about 2 1/2 to 3 cups crumbs).
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until onions are soft and translucent, 8 minutes. Add celery and cook, stirring, until just tender, 6 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until mushrooms release their water, 5 to 7 minutes. Add flour all at once and stir immediately and vigorously with a wooden spoon until flour is completely incorporated into vegetable mixture until there are no flour lumps. Add milk and broth, stir to combine and bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to a vigorous simmer and cook, stirring, until liquid has thicke ned and reduced by about 1/2 cup, 7 to 8 minutes. Add salt and pepper and stir to combine. Combine cooked pasta, vegetable-liquid mixture, broccoli, peas and tuna and toss to incorporate. Pour into a 9 by 13-inch casserole. Top with bread crumbs. Bake for 25 minutes, or until crumbs are golden brown and toasted.

HEALTHY TUNA CASSEROLE (LOW-FAT)



Healthy Tuna Casserole (Low-Fat) image

Cooked chicken breast may be used in place of the tuna, if desired add in 1 cup low-fat grated cheddar cheese to the soup mixture, this is only optional --- for Weight Watcher's program 1 serving = 7 points :)

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Tuna

Time 50m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups dry whole wheat fusilli (can use penne pasta or similar)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 (6 ounce) cans solid white tuna, water packed, well drained (can use 3 cans)
2 (10 ounce) cans fat free cream of celery soup or 2 (10 ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup skim milk or 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
1 (10 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, well drained
1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash seasoning mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper (or to taste)
1 cup grated reduced-fat cheddar cheese (or to taste)

Steps:

  • Set oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease an 11 x 7 or 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray (or use a casserole dish large enough to hold the mixture).
  • Boil the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente; drain then transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add in onion and tuna; toss to combine.
  • In a saucepan heat soup with milk until smooth.
  • Stir in mushrooms mayonnaise, Mrs Dash seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper until combined; pour into the bowl and toss to combine.
  • Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from oven then sprinkle with cheddar cheese, return to oven for 2-4 minutes to melt the cheese.

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