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Tuna Penne Casserole

Curry powder provides a Middle Eastern twist for homey tuna casserole. Using cornstarch and milk instead of a canned cream soup really cuts the sodium in this comfort-food dish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4; 1 cup per serving

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups dried whole-grain penne or macaroni
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon canola or corn oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
1 tablespoon finely snipped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup canned no-salt-added French-style green beans, drained
3/4 cup drained no-salt-added canned diced tomatoes
1 5-ounce can very low sodium albacore tuna, packed in water, drained and flaked

Topping (optional)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1 tablespoon light tub margarine, melted

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Prepare the pasta using the package directions, omitting the salt. Drain well in a colander. Set aside.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, lightly spray a large broilerproof skillet with cooking spray. Add the oil, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the onion over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently. Set aside.

    Step 3

    Preheat the broiler if using the topping.

    Step 4

    Put the cornstarch in a cup. Add the water, whisking to dissolve. Set aside.

    Step 5

    Whisk the milk, parsley, curry powder, salt, onion powder, and pepper into the onion. Cook, still over medium-high heat, for 5 minutes, or until the milk mixture is hot.

    Step 6

    Gently whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Continue to gently whisk for 3 to 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat.

    Step 7

    Stir in the beans, tomatoes, tuna, and pasta.

    Step 8

    In a small bowl, stir together the panko and margarine. Sprinkle over the casserole.

    Step 9

    Broil about 4 inches from the heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the topping is browned.

  2. Cook’s Tip on Cornstarch

    Step 10

    Cornstarch needs gentle treatment. Too much heat or stirring will cause a cornstarch-thickened sauce to become thin.

  3. Nutrition Information

    Step 11

    (Per serving)

    Step 12

    Calories: 254

    Step 13

    Total fat: 3.0g

    Step 14

    Saturated: 0.5g

    Step 15

    Trans: 0.0g

    Step 16

    Polyunsaturated: 1.0g

    Step 17

    Monounsaturated: 1.0g

    Step 18

    Cholesterol: 17mg

    Step 19

    Sodium: 212mg

    Step 20

    Carbohydrates: 41g

    Step 21

    Fiber: 5g

    Step 22

    Sugars: 6g

    Step 23

    Protein: 18g

    Step 24

    Calcium: 162mg

    Step 25

    Potassium: 482mg

  4. Dietary Exchanges

    Step 26

    2 1/2 starch

    Step 27

    1 vegetable

    Step 28

    1 1/2 very lean meat

  5. Nutrition Information: (with optional ingredients)

    Step 29

    (Per serving)

    Step 30

    Calories: 279

    Step 31

    Total fat: 4.0g

    Step 32

    Saturated: 0.5g

    Step 33

    Trans: 0.0g

    Step 34

    Polyunsaturated: 1.0g

    Step 35

    Monounsaturated: 2.0g

    Step 36

    Cholesterol: 17mg

    Step 37

    Sodium: 241mg

    Step 38

    Carbohydrates: 44g

    Step 39

    Fiber: 5g

    Step 40

    Sugars: 6g

    Step 41

    Protein: 18g

    Step 42

    Calcium: 162mg

    Step 43

    Potassium: 484mg

  6. Dietary Exchanges

    Step 44

    2 1/2 starch

    Step 45

    1 vegetable

    Step 46

    1 1/2 very lean meat

American Heart Association Low-Salt Cookbook, 4th Edition
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