Tuna Noodle Casserole
Contributed by Diane S.

                          Tuna Noodle Casserole

Recipe By     : Family Circle Magazine Nov 1997-Joy of Cooking Casserole
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Casseroles                       Main Course

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   4      tablespoons   unsalted butter
     3/4  cup           thinly sliced mushrooms
     1/4  cup           finely diced red or green pepper
     1/4  cup           finely chopped onion
     1/4  cup           all-purpose flour
   2 1/2  cups          milk
     3/4  cup           lightly packed shredded cheddar cheese
  12      ounces        canned white tuna
   2      cups          cooked egg noodles
     1/4  cup           minced fresh parsley
     1/2  cup           dry unseasoned bread crumbs, fine cracker
                        crumbs or crushed corn flakes
   2      tablespoons   unsalted butter melted

Position a rack in the center of the oven.  Prehead oven to 375 degrees.
Butter an 8x8-inch, 9x2-inch round or other shallow 1 1/2 to 2-quart baking
dish.

Heat in saucepan the butter over medium heat, until fragrant and bubbly.
Add the mushrooms, green pepper and onion.  Cook, stirring occasionally,
until the vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the flour.
Cook for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and whisk in milk.  Return pan to heat
and cook, whisking constantly, until sauce boils and thickens.  Remove from
heat, add and whisk until melted the cheddar cheese.

Drain thoroughly the tuna.  Turn the tuna into a mixing bowl and break into
flakes with a fork.  Do not mince.  Stir in the hot cheese sauce, then add
the egg noodles, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.  Pour the mixture
into the prepared baking dish. Mix together and sprinkle on top the bread
crumbs and butter.  Bake until bubbly and browned on top, 25 to 35 minutes.

Nutrient Value per Serving:  434 calories, 23 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 27
g protein, 30 g carbohydrate, 528 mg sodium, 103 mg cholesterol.

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NOTES : This is a dressed up tuna noodle casserole, made with a flavorful
cheese sauce studded with bits of vegetables.  It takes only a few more
minutes to make than the standard condensed-soup kind.