Cheesy Tuna and Peas Stove-Top Casserole

Ingredients

- 1 box mac and cheese (7 oz)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 can tuna in water (6 oz), drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup potato chips, crushed
- 1/4 cup fried onions

Instructions

1. Cook Mac and Cheese
- In a large pot, prepare the mac and cheese according to the package instructions. This usually involves boiling the macaroni in salted water for 7-8 minutes until tender, then draining.

2. Prepare Cheese Sauce
- Once the macaroni is drained, return it to the pot over low heat.
- Stir in the cheese sauce packet from the mac and cheese box.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until melted and creamy.
- Quickly mix in the egg yolk, stirring constantly to avoid curdling.

3. Incorporate Tuna and Peas
- Add the drained tuna and frozen peas to the pot.
- Stir gently to combine, allowing the heat from the pasta to thaw the peas and integrate the tuna evenly.

4. Create Topping
- In a small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers, potato chips, and fried onions.

5. Assemble Casserole
- Evenly sprinkle the cracker-chip-onion mixture over the mac and cheese in the pot.
- Cover the pot with a lid and keep it on low heat for about 5 minutes to allow the topping to absorb some steam.

6. Finish and Serve
- Remove the lid and let sit off heat for an additional 2 minutes for the topping to crisp slightly.
- Serve hot, relishing the crunchy top and creamy interior.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT10M
10 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT25M
25 minutes

Total Time

- PT35M
35 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Tuna casserole
- Mac and cheese dish
- Easy stove-top recipe
- Cheesy dinner idea
- Weeknight meal
- Comfort food
- Family dinner
- Cheddar cheese casserole
- Quick dinner recipe
- Tuna mac casserole

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- 2150 Calories

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