Tuna Mornay is how you elevate canned tuna above a glum pantry staple or worse still, a desperate meal eaten straight from the can! Its a tuna casserole pasta bake with a creamy sauce, sweet pops of corn and crunchy topping, baked until golden and bubbly.
Simple to make, economical and oh-so-delish!
Tuna Mornay
I moved out of home straight after finishing high school at the tender age of 18, so it will come as no surprise to you that I had my fair share of meals comprising canned tuna in various, completely unappetising forms. Dumped into rice, on pasta, on toast (with meltedcheese!) and the worst offender of them all eaten straight out of a can.
Which, nowadays, is more acceptable with the dizzying array of flavours available chilli, lemon pepper, Portuguese.
Back then, it was not.
Im glad Ive evolved beyond that. Canned tunacan be used in all sorts of delicious ways and this Tuna Mornay pasta bake tops the list!
What is Tuna Mornay?
Tuna Mornay is the Aussie name for a tuna casserole pasta bake made with canned tuna and pasta in a creamy white sauce. Theres various forms of add ins often corn, sometimes peas and its topped with something crunchy. A parmesan breadcrumb topping is my favourite, but there are versions out there with crushed cornflakes, crispy fried onions and even potato crisps. (Yes, really, google it)
Prefer tomato based pasta bakes?
Try this Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake!
What you need for Tuna Casserole
Heres what you need:
Just a note on a few of the items:
- Vegeta stock powder / granulated bouillon / seasoning(same thing!!) is the secret ingredient here that makes the white sauce extra tasty. Its salt with flavour. I like using Vegeta, which is a Vegetable stock powder (herbs & spices aisle of everyday grocery stores!). Read more here about Vegeta here (including MSG misconceptions & what else to use it for!)
- Tuna tuna in oil is tastier (full stop!) but spring water or brine is fine too; and
- Corn (and other veggies) peas and corn can be added uncooked and even frozen straight into the dish. For things like diced carrots (frozen or fresh), Id recommend cooking them first as they wont cook in the bake time for this recipe. I just use corn because its the classic add in.
How to make it
The nice thing about Tuna Mornay is that its made with everyday pantry staples and its pretty quick to make:
- Melt butter, mix in flour, then whisk in milk the flour will make the sauce thick and creamy;
- Add in parmesan and other sauce flavourings (including our secret ingredient, Vegeta);
- Flake the tuna into large-dish chunks so it doesnt turn into mush when you mix it through, then mix it all up together;
- Tip into a baking dish, top with crunchy Panko-parmesan topping and bake until its golden on top and bubbling on the edges!
And heres an up close and personal of whats under that crunchy golden topping. Love that creamy sauce!
What to serve with Tuna Mornay
Unless you load it up with more extra vegetables (it can take about 2 cups extra AND you can sub some of the pasta for more vegetables), Id recommend some veggies or a crisp salad on the side just to complete the meal!Here are a few suggestions:
Veg and salad side suggestions
Otherwise, make up your own garden salad or steamed vegetables and drizzle with a quick Balsamic Dressing, French Dressing or Italian Dressing.
Enjoy! Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Tuna Mornay (Creamy Tuna Casserole Pasta Bake)
Recipe video above. Tuna Mornay is how you elevate canned tuna above a glum pantry staple into a delish family meal! Its atuna casserolepasta bakewith a creamy sauce, sweet pops of corn and crunchy topping, baked until golden and bubbly. Simple to make, economical and oh-so-delish!
- 350g / 12oz penne pasta ((or other short pasta))
- 40g / 3 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves (, finely minced)
- 4 tbsp (50g) flour (, plain/all purpose)
- 4 cups (1 litre) milk (, any fat %, dairy or non dairy (1 quart))
- 2 tsp Vegeta, or chicken or veg stock powder/granulated bouillon ((Note 1))
- 1/2 cup (50g) parmesan (, finely shredded)
- 1/2 tsp each mustard powder, onion and garlic powder ((Note 2))
- 425g / 15 oz canned tuna (, preferably in oil, drained (sub salmon))
- 400g / 14 oz canned corn (, drained (or other veg, Note 3))
Crunchy Topping:
- 25g / 1.5 tbsp butter (, melted)
- 1/2 cup (60g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4g (25g) parmesan (, finely grated)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Chives or parsley (, optional garnish)
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Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
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Crunchy Topping Mix together.
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Cook pasta per packet directions MINUS 1 minute. Drain then allow to cool slightly, then return into pot.
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White Sauce Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add flour and stir into melted butter. While whisking, gradually pour in about 1/3 of the milk. Once the flour-butter mixture is incorporated into the milk, pour in remaining milk and whisk.
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Add Vegeta, mustard, onion and garlic powder, whisk.
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When the milk starts to heat up, whisk constantly to make sure the white sauce doesnt catch on the base.
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After 4 5 minutes, the sauce should be thick enough that you can draw a path across the back of a spoon (see video). Remove from stove and stir in parmesan.
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Assemble & Bake Add tuna into pasta and flake into large chunks with fork (not too much, don't want it to turn to mush when stirred). Add corn, pour over sauce, then gently stir.
- Scrape into baking dish, top with Crunchy Topping.
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Bake 25 minutes until top is golden and edges are bubbling. Sprinkle with chives if desired then serve!
1. Vegeta is a brand of vegetable stock powder / seasoning / granulated bouillon. Its salt with flavour. Sold in the herb & spice aisle of everyday grocery stores. See in this post for other recipes using Vegeta and other ways to use it, as well as about scientifically proven MSGH misconceptions!!
Substitute with any brand chicken or vegetable stock powder (aka granulated bouillon) OR 2 cubes, crumbled.
2. Spices even if you have just one of these, it will be great! Or sub garlic with more onion, or vice versa. Switch mustard powder with a teaspoon of fresh.
3. Vegetables can sub with frozen peas. If using other vegetables like carrot, broccoli etc that need to be cooked, steam or boil them separately before adding otherwise they probably wont cook during the bake time.
Could also stir in spinach leaves or shredded kale.
4. Leftovers Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, reheat in microwave.
Make ahead / freezing:Make sauce then place lid on and it cool until lukewarm. Add 1/4 cup extra water or milk, mix with pasta, tuna and corn, pour into baking dish, sprinkle with topping. Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze then thaw and bake per recipe.
5. Nutrition per serving.
Life of Dozer
Dozer Does Melbourne An assembly line of dumpling makers got a fright when he jumped up and slammed his heavy footed paws against the glass window!!
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