With the Lent season in full swing, I thought I would mix up a family favorite for you that Josh and I love…Tuna Noodle Casserole.
I added some goat cheese and a few spices and created something far more satisfying than your average tuna noodle that you can be proud to serve your family and friends any time of the year.
You’ll need:
1 can cream of mushroom condensed soup; 1-2 cans (drained) tuna; 2–5 oz. logs of plain goat cheese; 1/2 cup half and half, divided; 1 package whole wheat bow tie pasta or any pasta you like; 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley OR 1 tablespoon dried parsley; 1-2 tablespoons soul seasoning or 1 tablespoon of seasoned salt; salt and black pepper.
Cooking:
First thing’s first, you have to get the water going for the pasta. You will want to fill a large pot about 3/4 of the way with cold water and put it on medium-high heat with a lid to bring it to a boil. Once its boiling, add about 1 heaping teaspoon of salt to the water. Feel free to add more salt to taste.
While the water heats up, get the sauce going. Grab a medium size sauce pan and put 1/4 cup of the half and half, the entire can of cream of mushroom soup, soul seasoning and both goat cheese logs into the pan. Place the pan on the stove over medium-low heat and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t scorch. It should look something like this.
When the cheese starts to melt and the spices begin to integrate, it may look a little crazy with a pinkish color and lots of lumps, but trust me…it will get betting if you stick with it.
About this time, the water should be boiling. Add the salt and stir the water, then add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. This one took about 10-12 minutes because whole wheat takes longer.
While the pasta is boiling away, your goat cheese sauce should be all melty and starting to look off white. Now is the time to add the tuna, parsley and the other 1/4 cup of the half and half.
Mix it well and it should look like this. Creamy, tuna-y, slightly tangy goodness in a pot.
The noodles should be just about done, but if their not, just turn the fire as low as it will go and keep stirring the sauce. It just keeps getting better the longer it cooks. After the noodles are cooked, drain them and get ready for the magic.
Are you ready…?
Pour that mouth watering creamy creation over the noodles.
Mix, mix, mix and….OMG! There is your crowd pleasing dinner waiting to be served.
Let’s get a close up of that amazingness right there…
Thank you! Now all that’s left to do is pile it high and throw some fresh parsley on it to make it look fancy.
So there it is. The crowd pleasing, belly filling, soul serving Creamy Goat Cheese Tuna Noodle. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments.
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