Sizzling Bobby Flay Tuna Casserole Recipe

Breathtaking Tuna Casserole Recipe – Bobby Flay’s Twist

Bobby Flay’s tuna casserole bursts with nostalgic comfort that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into culinary magic.

Creamy, rich layers of succulent seafood and tender noodles dance together in this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Hearty ingredients merge seamlessly, creating a dish that whispers of home and warmth.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures and flavors that delight both kids and grown-ups.

Protein-packed and ridiculously easy to assemble, this casserole becomes an instant family favorite.

Melted cheese, flaky tuna, and crisp vegetables elevate a simple meal into something extraordinary.

Let this soulful recipe rescue your dinner and spark smiles around the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 4

What You’ll Need for Bobby Flay’s Tuna Casserole

For Topping:
  • Breadcrumbs: Select crisp, golden breadcrumbs for a delightful crunchy texture.
  • Melted Butter: Choose unsalted butter for precise flavor control.
  • Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme add vibrant aromatic notes.
For Protein and Base:
  • Tuna: Pick high-quality, flaky canned tuna packed in water for lighter taste.
  • Egg Noodles: Select wide, tender noodles that absorb sauce beautifully.
For Creamy and Vegetable Components:
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup, Milk: Use full-fat dairy for rich, velvety consistency.
  • Onions, Celery: Choose firm, crisp vegetables with no soft spots for optimal flavor.
  • Frozen Peas: Opt for bright green, premium frozen peas for sweet freshness.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Select sharp, aged cheese for robust, tangy undertones.
  • Fresh Parsley: Pick bright green, crisp leaves for zesty garnish.

Cookware for Classic Tuna Casserole

  • Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious container for combining ingredients smoothly and easily.
  • Skillet: Perfect for sautéing vegetables with a nice, even heat.
  • Measuring Cups: Essential for getting ingredient proportions just right.
  • Colander: Helps drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
  • 2-Quart Baking Dish: Ideal size for creating a delicious casserole with crispy edges.
  • Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching your cookware.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps dice onions and celery with precision.
  • Oven: Needed to bake the casserole to golden, bubbly perfection.

Making Bobby Flay’s Comforting Casserole

Making Bobby Flay’s Comforting Casserole
  • Warm Up the Kitchen

Fire up your oven to a toasty 425°F and grab your favorite baking dish. This tuna casserole will transform your dinner into a comforting feast.

  • Prep Your Pasta Dance

Boil those egg noodles until they’re perfectly tender, then give them a quick cold water rinse to halt the cooking magic. Drain and set aside ready for deliciousness.

  • Sizzle and Soften Veggie Base

Melt some butter in a skillet and welcome diced onions and celery. Let them dance and soften until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their sweet flavors.

  • Create Casserole Magic

In a large bowl, unite your ingredients like a culinary symphony. Toss together cooked noodles, sautéed vegetables, frozen peas, cream of mushroom soup, milk, cheese, and flaked tuna. Stir with love until everything is beautifully combined.

  • Bake and Transform

Pour your mixture into the baking dish, crown it with a crispy breadcrumb topping, and slide into the hot oven. Bake for about 20 minutes until the top turns golden and edges bubble with excitement, signaling your meal is ready to devour.

Casserole Tweaks and Add-Ins

Mix up the protein by swapping tuna with shredded chicken or cooked salmon for a delightful twist on this classic casserole.

Sneak in extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to increase nutritional value and add more depth to the dish.

Experiment with different cheese varieties like Swiss, Gruyère, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles that’ll excite your taste buds.

Transform the topping by adding crushed crackers, sliced almonds, or panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy and textural experience.

Tuna Casserole Serving Advice

  • Pair with Fresh Salad: Create a crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the creamy casserole.
  • Serve with Crusty Bread: Warm, crusty French bread or garlic toast complements the tuna casserole perfectly, helping to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Add Bright Side Vegetables: Roasted asparagus or steamed green beans provide a colorful and nutritious accompaniment to the rich, comforting main dish.
  • Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley or chives on top just before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor to the casserole.

Storing Bobby Flay’s Tuna Bake

  • Preserve Freshness: Transfer any leftover casserole to an airtight container, ensuring a tight seal to maintain flavor and prevent moisture loss.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store the cooled casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping it at a consistent temperature below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
  • Reheating Method: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive drying and maintain moisture.
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Sizzling Bobby Flay Tuna Casserole Recipe

Sizzling Bobby Flay Tuna Casserole Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 33 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Bobby Flay’s tuna casserole blends classic comfort with gourmet flair. Crispy breadcrumb topping and rich, creamy sauce make this dish a nostalgic yet sophisticated meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (5-6 oz/142-170 g) tuna, drained
  • 3 cups (255 g/6 oz/170 g) egg noodles
  • 1½ cups (170 g) cheddar cheese
  • 10½ oz (298 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • ⅔ cup (95 g) frozen peas, defrosted
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk
  • 2 tbsps butter (1 tbsp melted)
  • 2 tbsps parsley
  • ½ cup (60 g) panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 425°F and position a 2-quart baking vessel ready for culinary assembly.
  2. Pasta Transformation: Submerge noodles in salted rolling water, cooking until perfectly tender. Rapidly drain and cool with cold water to halt cooking progression.
  3. Aromatic Foundation: Gently melt butter in a skillet, introducing diced onions and celery. Sauté until translucent and tender, releasing delicate vegetable essences for approximately 5-7 minutes.
  4. Ingredient Fusion: In a spacious mixing vessel, harmonize cooked noodles with sautéed vegetable medley, frozen peas, condensed cream soup, whole milk, shredded cheese, flaked tuna, and fresh parsley. Tenderly fold ingredients until uniformly distributed, creating a rich, cohesive mixture.
  5. Baking Assembly: Elegantly transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even, smooth surface. Crown the casserole with a crispy topping layer, distributing evenly to guarantee maximum textural contrast.
  6. Culinary Transformation: Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the casserole to bubble and transform for 18-20 minutes. Monitor until the surface achieves a golden-brown perfection and the interior reaches a steaming, inviting temperature.

Notes

  • Pasta Perfection: Choose high-quality egg noodles for the best texture and flavor in your casserole.
  • Tuna Tips: Drain canned tuna thoroughly to prevent excess water from making the dish soggy.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting and richer taste compared to pre-packaged options.
  • Crispy Topping Trick: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help the topping set and become extra crispy.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 930 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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