Velvety Tuna Mornay Recipe: Comfort in Every Spoonful

Comfort food reaches new heights with this creamy tuna mornay that promises a delightful culinary adventure.

The classic Australian dish blends tender flakes of fish with a rich, velvety sauce that melts in your mouth.

Cheese and breadcrumbs create a golden, crispy topping that adds irresistible texture to every bite.

Pantry staples come together effortlessly, making this recipe a weeknight dinner superhero.

The combination of smooth sauce and flaky tuna transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Serve this hearty casserole straight from the oven, and watch as everyone around the table falls in love with its comforting warmth and incredible flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 4

Tuna Mornay Recipe Ingredient Essentials

• Pasta: Hearty foundation that catches all the creamy sauce and absorbs delicious flavors.
• Tuna: Protein-packed seafood that provides rich, savory taste and tender texture.
• Peas: Sweet green bursts of nutrition that add vibrant color and delicate freshness.
• Sweetcorn: Adds natural sweetness and delightful crunch to the casserole.

• Butter: Creates silky smooth base for the cheese sauce with rich, comforting flavor.
• Flour: Thickening agent that helps create luxurious, creamy consistency.
• Milk: Provides liquid base for sauce, ensuring velvety texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Delivers sharp, tangy flavor and melty goodness.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces subtle tang and depth to the cheese sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasonings that elevate overall taste profile.

• Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy, golden crust that adds delightful crunch.
• Olive Oil or Melted Butter: Helps breadcrumbs achieve beautiful golden-brown color.
• Extra Grated Cheese: Optional topping for ultimate cheesy indulgence.

Tools That Help Prepare a Tuna Mornay

• Medium Saucepan: Essential for creating smooth cheese sauce and melting ingredients together.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining pasta, tuna, vegetables, and sauce without mess.
• Whisk: Critical for blending milk into roux smoothly and preventing lumps in cheese sauce.
• Baking Dish: Needed to assemble and bake the casserole with a golden, crispy topping.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing breadcrumbs with oil or butter for the crunchy topping.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing sauce evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient quantities for perfect recipe results.

How to Cook a Tuna Mornay That Comforts

• Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375F and give your baking dish a quick grease swipe.

• Whip Together Creamy Sauce

Melt butter in a pan and dance in the flour, whisking constantly. Pour milk gradually while stirring, letting the mixture transform into a silky smooth sauce. Drop in cheese, mustard, and seasonings, blending until luxuriously creamy.

• Mix Hearty Filling

Tumble cooked pasta, flaky tuna, sweet peas, and golden corn kernels into a big bowl. Drench everything with your luscious cheese sauce, stirring until perfectly coated.

• Create Crispy Topping

Slide the mixture into your greased dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with a touch of olive oil across the top. Shower with extra cheese for an indulgent finish.

• Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the hot oven. Watch as it bubbles and turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

• Serve And Savor

Let the mornay rest briefly, then dish out this comforting meal. Complement with fresh steamed veggies or a crisp salad.

Upgrades for Tuna Mornay Flavor and Texture

• Tuna Mornay Cooking Tips & Variations
• Pasta Perfect: Choose short pasta shapes like shells or penne to help capture more of the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
• Seafood Swap: Replace tuna with canned salmon or cooked white fish for a delightful protein variation that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Substitute regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend in the sauce, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe celiac-safe and equally delicious.
• Vegetable Boost: Experiment with additional vegetables like diced bell peppers, spinach, or roasted zucchini to increase nutritional value and add extra texture to the casserole.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version that still delivers incredible taste and creamy satisfaction.

Serving Tuna Mornay for Family Meals or Meal Prep

• Crisp Green Partner: Serve alongside a fresh, zesty mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the creamy tuna casserole and add a refreshing crunch.
• Veggie Sidekick: Complement the dish with roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts to enhance nutritional value and provide a colorful plate presentation.
• Bread Buddy: Pair with crusty garlic bread or toasted sourdough slices to help soak up the delicious cheese sauce and add a satisfying textural contrast to the creamy mornay.
• Wine Companion: Choose a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the richness of the cheese sauce and elevate the overall dining experience.

Keep Tuna Mornay Ready to Reheat and Serve

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover Tuna Mornay in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the casserole covered to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For best texture, add a splash of milk to prevent dryness and restore creamy consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes.
• Portioning Pro Tips: Divide the Tuna Mornay into single-serve containers before refrigerating or freezing. This method allows easy grab-and-go meals and prevents repeated reheating of the entire batch, which can degrade food quality.

Creamy Tuna Mornay Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Tuna Mornay recipe brings creamy comfort to classic seafood casseroles with rich cheese sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping. Seafood enthusiasts can quickly prepare this Australian-inspired dish for satisfying family meals.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cans (185g or 6.5 oz) tuna in spring water, drained
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 2 cups cooked pasta (e.g., macaroni, penne, or shells)
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
• 2 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for breadcrumbs)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ cup frozen peas (optional)
• ¼ cup sweetcorn kernels (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Sauce Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour to form a roux, then gradually add milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer until the mixture thickens, then remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, seasonings, and garlic powder until smooth.
3. Ingredient Fusion: Combine cooked pasta, tuna, peas, and sweetcorn in a large mixing bowl, thoroughly coating with the prepared cheese sauce to ensure even flavor distribution.
4. Assembly and Topping: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer. Sprinkle breadcrumbs tossed with olive oil or melted butter on top, and optionally add extra grated cheese for enhanced richness.
5. Baking and Resting: Bake in the preheated oven until the surface turns golden brown and the interior begins to bubble. Remove from the oven and let the Tuna Mornay rest briefly to allow flavors to meld before serving with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

Notes

• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk continuously while adding milk to the roux, ensuring smooth consistency by incorporating liquid gradually and stirring constantly.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Use aged cheddar or mix cheeses like gruyère for a more complex taste profile that elevates the traditional mornay sauce.
• Customize Protein Options: Substitute tuna with cooked chicken, salmon, or plant-based protein alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences and restrictions.
• Crispy Topping Technique: Mix breadcrumbs with herbs like parsley or thyme, and add grated parmesan for extra crunch and aromatic enhancement before baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Australian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 60mg