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Tuna Tetrazzini

Mrs. Stouffer has been stalking me all day. I came home after another 11-hour workday and she was waiting for me in the kitchen, begging me to take her back. She even brought her friends, the Hamburger Helper Helping Hand and Charlie the Tuna.

aluminum pans of cooked pasta

But I stood my ground and told her I already had a homemade, healthy tuna tetrazzini ready to throw in the oven, and I kindly showed her the door.

I grew up on Tuna Helper Tuna Tetrazzini. My mom was great at pulling us all around the family table for dinner, but with our busy schedules of cheerleading, wrestling and softball, she turned to the Helping Hand every now and then.

bowls of ingredients

I wanted to relive that classic family memory, so I made a homemade version using the Zestuous Weeknight Mornay (Cheese) Sauce. It was just as I remembered growing up…only much fresher.

spoon scooping cheddar mornay sauce

You can make this dish with fresh tuna that you grill or bake and shred…but I did have a weak moment and cheated on Mrs. Stouffer with Charlie the Tuna. He’s just so darn cute. Truly, I took the easier route since I was making 5 different dishes this weekend. Next time, I will use fresh tuna…sorry Charlie.

4.74 from 15 votes

Tuna Tetrazzini

I grew up on Tuna Helper Tuna Tetrazzini. This recipe is my homemade version, using fresh ingredients. Eat it now. Or make and bake later.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 7

Ingredients 

  • 13.5 ozs thin spaghetti, uncooked
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup celery, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups tuna, cooked
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning
  • Panko breadcrumbs

Instructions 

  • Cook the pasta, until it's al dente.
  • Heat the butter in a skillet and sauté the onions and celery, until tender.
  • Prepare the mornay sauce, using the butter, flour, milk, 2 cups cheddar cheese and season with salt and Tony’s.
  • Combine the pasta, sautéed veggies, peas, tuna and mornay sauce.
  • Spoon into baking dish and sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs. You can also add more cheese and/or butter on top for more deliciousness.
  • Bake at 350F degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 494kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 24gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 704mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 837IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 343mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to rate it, leave a comment and save it so you can make it again. Show off your awesome results on social by tagging @zestuous

Added to Basilmomma’s Budget and Freezer Meal Link Up.


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Christie Vanover

About Zestuous

Hi. I’m Christie, the head cook and award-winning competitive pitmaster for Team Girls Can Grill. I have won multiple grand championships and have dozens of top ten category finishes. People know me as the girl who is forever hovering over a grill, smoker or campfire with tongs in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.


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18 Comments

  1. I just got married, I’m 18 and want to let my husband know I can cook, he loves tuna and I want a good recipe for tuna casserole, can anyone help me, PLEASE