Month: March 2018

Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole

 

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Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 

Comfort food at its' best! Nothing beats creamy, cheese noodles and albacore tuna to warm your heart and your belly, too!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 425 kcal
Author: Cher
Ingredients
  • 3 cans Albacore tuna (Costco brand is the one we choose.)
  • 2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup condensed
  • 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup condensed
  • 3 cups Milk
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped fine or 1/4 cup dried minced onion
  • 1 tsp Johnny's Garlic Bread Seasoning or use garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded (we like Costco Mexican Cheese shreds)
  • 8 cups Curly egg noodles uncooked
  • 3/4 cup butter (margarine can be substituted if desired)
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Paprika to taste
Instructions

  1. In a large pot, boil the noodles per package directions until al dente'. Drain. Do not rinse. Put in the frozen peas so they cook along with the noodles. 

  2. While the noodles are draining in the colander, put the butter in the pot. Melt over medium heat and add 1/4 cup white flour. Stir constantly until it makes a roue. Slowly add milk, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. 

  3. Add the soups, onions, spices and shredded cheese.  Stir until combined. If it's too thick, add more milk 1/4 cup at a time until desired consistency. It should be thickened like a gravy but no thicker. You want to be able to mix it well with the noodles. 

  4. Drain the tuna, break up into bite size pieces and add to the mixture. Pour the mixture over the noodles and then pour it all into a well greased pan. I use a quarter sheet cake size pan or a large casserole dish. Lightly sprinkle paprika over the top to make it look pretty. 

  5. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees F for approximately 40-45 minutes or until it's all bubbly and heated through. Let rest 10 minutes before serving unless you like molten cheese lava hitting your tongue! 

Recipe Notes

Author note: Get the GOOD tuna. Don't use that cheap stuff that looks like cat food. You want a nice bite of tuna on your fork. Not mushy leftover bit they swept off the production floor! You're worth it!

American Chop Suey AKA Goulash

 

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American Chop Suey (Goulash)
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Total Time
6 hrs 30 mins
 

The hot, filling, good for your budget meal that everyone (almost everyone) asks for no matter what the season is. 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 325 kcal
Author: Cher
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef lean
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 2 can tomatoes crushed or chopped
  • 1 can whole kernel corn (do not drain)
  • 1 cup peas frozen
  • 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz.
  • 1 can tomato soup condensed 10.75 oz.
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 tbsp sugar white or brown
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup macaroni noodles dry
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper (can be omitted)
Instructions

  1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute the ground beef and the onion for 5 to 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and crumbly. Drain thoroughly. Put the mix into a large soup pot (at least 10 quarts)

  2. Add to the large pot, the corn (with liquid), peas, spices, soup and tomatoes. Stir gently. 

  3. Add one soup can of water and one tomato can of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring often so the tomatoes don't stick to the bottom of the pan.

  4. Cook the macaroni noodles al dente, according to the package directions. Drain. Add to pot and stir. Serve.

Recipe Notes

This dish can also be cooked in a slow cooker. Prepare the meat, celery and onions the same way as above but put everything in a slow cooker instead. Cook for 4-6 hours on low. Add the macaroni about 30 minutes before serving. 

Author tip: The macaroni can be prepared the day before, drained, cooled completely, and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container and added 30 minutes before serving.   

Don't try to add the macaroni at the start of cooking. If you leave the noodles in the soup too long, they'll turn to mush. 

Approximate Equivalents in Cooking

APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENTS
3 Teaspoons 1 Tablespoon
16 Tablespoons 1 Cup
1/4 Cup 4 Tablespoons
1/3 Cup 5 1/3 Tablespoons
2 Cups 1 Pint
2 Cups

1 Quart
2 Pints 1 Quart
1 pound Brown Sugar 3 1/2 Cups
1 Pound Granulated Sugar 2 1/4 Cups
1 Pound Powdered Sugar 3 3/4 Cups
1 Pound Butter or Butter Substitute 2 Cups
1 Pound Shortening

2 Cups
1 Pound Cheese 4 1/2 Cups, Grated
1 Pound Flour 3 3/4 Cups
1 Pound Graham or Whole Wheat Flour 3 1/3 Cups
1 Pound Corn Meal 3 1/4 Cups
1 Pound Raisins, Seeded 3 Cups
1 Pound Dates, Pitted 2 2/3 Cups
1 Pound Dates, Unpitted 3 1/2 Cups
3-Pound, Dressed Chicken 1 1/2 Pounds or 4 1/2 Cups, Cooked and Diced
1 Square Chocolate 2 Tablespoons Cocoa
1 Cup Broken, Uncooked Macaroni 2 2/3 Cups, Cooked
1 Pound Uncooked Meat 2 3/4 Cups, Cooked and Ground
1 Cup Uncooked Rice 4 Cups, Cooked
1 Cup Broken, Uncooked Spaghetti 2 Cups, Cooked

No. 1 Can 1 1/2 Cups
No. 2 Can 2 1/2 Cups
No. 2 1/2 Can 3 1/2 Cups
No. 3 Can 4 Cups
No. 10 Can 13 Cups