MOM'S EASY TUNA CASSEROLE WITH RICE

Mom's Easy Tuna Casserole with Rice image

I grew up with a macaroni-based tuna casserole. My mother-in-law introduced me to this one with rice and I've used it ever since. The Tabasco® sauce and green chile peppers gives it an extra pop of flavor.

Provided by notmyforte

Categories Tuna Casserole

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

1 ⅓ cups uncooked instant rice
1 pinch dried oregano, or more to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (5 ounce) can tuna, drained and flaked
1 medium onion, diced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chile peppers, undrained
¾ cup water, or as needed
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ⅔ cups milk
3 drops hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or more to taste
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 pinch ground paprika, or more to taste

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Spread rice in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper. Layer tuna over top, then diced onion.
Drain tomato juice into a 2-cup liquid measure. Add enough water to reach 1 1/3 cups liquid. Layer 3/4 of the diced tomatoes over the onion, then pour the tomato juice-water mixture over top. Save remaining tomatoes.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir flour into milk in a liquid measure. Pour milk mixture into the skillet and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add hot pepper sauce and season with salt and pepper. Add cheese and stir until melted.
Pour cheese sauce over the casserole. Garnish with extra tomatoes and paprika.
Bake in the preheated oven until browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440 calories, Carbohydrate 40.8 g, Cholesterol 70.1 mg, Fat 20.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 22.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.8 g, Sodium 711.7 mg, Sugar 6.1 g