Some days have us craving comfort food – those dishes with family history and easy goodness that feel like a warm hug. But with those retro dishes can come retro ingredients that may be charming in vintage kitchens but feel weighty on modern dining tables. In this recipe, tuna noodle casserole is made with an easy dairy-free sauce that feels just right. With its nutritious mix of gluten-free chickpea pasta, tuna, broccoli, carrots and peas, this feel-good meal brings new comfort to good old memories.

Modern Tuna Noodle Casserole
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 783 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 box Explore Cuisine Chickpea Fusilli
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 head broccoli chopped
- 4 carrots chopped
- 1-½ Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. thyme
- 3 (5-oz.) cans tuna
Cream Sauce
- 1/2 cup vegan cashew cream cheese
- 2/3 cup vegan cheese
- 3/4 cup Sproud Plant-Based Milk
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup vegetable stock
- 2 Tbsp. Nutiva Coconut Oil with Butter Flavor
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. salt + more to taste
- Pinch black pepper
- Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
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In large pot, cook pasta according to package directions, adding in peas when 1 minute of cooking time remains. Drain and set aside.
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In large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add onions, garlic, salt, carrots, broccoli and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, 7-8 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
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Turn off skillet. Stir in pasta/peas mixture and tuna until well combined. Set aside.
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In saucepan over low heat, stir together sauce ingredients until well combined and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
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Pour sauce over pasta mixture and gently stir to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
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Bake for 15 minutes or until sauce is bubbling at the edges.
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To serve, sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Modern Tuna Noodle Casserole
Amount Per Serving
Calories 783
Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 1123mg47%
Potassium 982mg28%
Carbohydrates 118g39%
Fiber 12g48%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 23g46%
Vitamin A 11506IU230%
Vitamin C 161mg195%
Calcium 137mg14%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.