Tuna Casserole

Years and years ago we used to get together on a regular basis with friends and have Trivial Pursuit championships - to give you some idea of how long ago I'm talking about, we used to have the 1988 version of the board game!  During these, sometimes very competitive, games we would either order in pizza or on occasion we would make a delicious tuna casserole that everyone loved and would be more than happy with second helpings.  Now, all these years later, I have absolutely no idea of the exact ingredients or quantities that went into it and I can't find the recipe anywhere :o(

So here I am, starting from scratch to find a tuna casserole that lives up to our wonderful memories - or at least one that comes close - and this one is wonderfully creamy with a little spice kick (which we love), so I think we might have a new winner :o)

Tuna Casserole
6-8 servings

2 cups dried pasta (penne or elbow)
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 tsp dried garlic (or 1 clove, chopped)
2 cans (284ml) condensed mushroom soup
2 cans (170g) tuna chunks in water (1 drained, 1 undrained)
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups cheese, grated (divided) - I used a nacho mix
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 can French's fried onions

• preheat the oven to 400 F.
• cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling, salted water until just under al dente; drain and toss in a splash of olive oil to stop the pasta from sticking together.
• heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan or frying pan over medium-high heat, and saute the onion and garlic until softened;  set aside.
• in a large mixing bowl put the onion/garlic mixture and all the other ingredients, except 1 cup of grated  cheese and the can of French's fried onion.  Mix everything well to combine.
• add the cooked pasta and mix thoroughly.
• divide the mixture between two casserole dishes that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
• open the can of French's fried onion and pour into a small ziploc bag - crush until they're the consistency of breadcrumbs..
• sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese and the crushed fried onions evenly over the casseroles.
• bake for 20-30 minutes until the cheese has melted and the edges are bubbling.

 Tuna Casserole ingredients.

as the pasta is boiling, saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil.

place all other ingredients (except 1 cup of grated cheese and fried onions) into a large bowl....

 ....and mix well.

add the 'soup' mixture to the pasta and combine.

put into two casserole dishes and sprinkle evenly with the remaining cheese and crushed fried onions.

bake until golden brown and bubbling.

deliciousness in a bowl :o)