Ingredients:
- 12 oz (340g) wide egg noodles
- 1 cup (150g) frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup (150g) diced carrots, steamed until tender
- 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (32g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480ml) whole milk, warmed
- 2 cups (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp (5g) garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp (3g) smoked paprika
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 cans (5 oz each / 142g each) tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 tbsp (15g) lemon juice
- 2 tbsp (30g) fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup (60g) Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp (3g) dried oregano
Instructions:
- Boil the egg noodles in salted water, draining them 2 minutes before the package's al dente time to prevent overcooking in the oven.
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, gently fold together the undercooked noodles, thawed peas, steamed carrots, flaked tuna, and lemon juice.
- Melt 4 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour for 1-2 minutes until the mixture smells nutty and looks pale gold.
- Gradually pour in warmed milk, whisking constantly to eliminate lumps. Simmer until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and paprika until the sauce is smooth and molten.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the noodle mixture, add the fresh parsley, and fold gently to combine without breaking the pasta.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Panko breadcrumbs, and dried oregano. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the crust is a deep mahogany brown.