Tuna Carrot Casserole

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with wholesome ingredients, this Tuna Carrot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food with a healthy twist. Tender pasta blends beautifully with protein-rich tuna and naturally sweet shredded carrots, all enveloped in a velvety homemade cheese sauce. A golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping adds the perfect finishing touch, making every bite irresistibly satisfying. This family-friendly recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, prepared in just under an hour and baked to bubbling perfection. Whether you're looking to use pantry staples like canned tuna and pasta or sneak extra veggies into your meal, this casserole is both easy to make and delightfully flavorful. Serve it fresh out of the oven and watch it disappear!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups pasta (elbow, penne, or shell)
• 2 cans canned tuna (drained)
• 2 cups carrots (shredded)
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups milk
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to make a roux.

Step 5

Slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form, and continue to stir until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese. Reserve 1/2 cup of cheese for topping if you desire. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and parsley (if using).

Step 8

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, drained tuna, shredded carrots, and the cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.

Step 9

Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 10

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. If reserved cheese was set aside, sprinkle it over the breadcrumbs.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 12

Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2098.1 grams (2098.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3087

Total Fat 144.80g	186%
Saturated Fat 79.10g	395%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 414mg	138%
Sodium 6471mg	281%
Total Carbohydrate 322.50g	117%
Dietary Fiber 28.00g	100%
Total Sugars 70.30g
Protein 138.10g	276%

Vitamin D 369IU	1843%
Calcium 2666mg	205%
Iron 14mg	76%
Potassium 3360mg	71%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.4%

Protein: 17.6%

Carbs: 41.0%