Niçoise-Style Tuna Casserole

"Tuna casserole is a favorite of mine even though I didn't grow up with it. This Mediterranean take on the dish, based on the classic French Niçoise salad, is one I think even my Sicilian grandpa would have loved." —Rachael Ray
Author:
Publish date:
nicoise style tuna casserole

Recipe by Rachael Ray

  • 6Servings

Ingredients

  • Salt
  • 1 package (12 oz.) wide egg noodles
  • About 1 lb. baby red potatoes (8 to 10), cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 8 oz. haricots verts (thin green beans), cut on an angle into thirds
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. butter
  • 1 large shallot, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • Pepper
  • 2 cans (5 to 6 oz. each) sustainable tuna, drained and flaked
  • 1/2 cup chopped pitted Niçoise olives
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 3/4 cup grated Gruyère
  • 1 tsp. herbes de Provence
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs (store-bought or homemade), sliced or chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped drained cornichons

Preparation

1. Preheat the broiler. Or position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450°.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the noodles. Salt the water and add the noodles. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Add the haricots verts. Cook until the potatoes and noodles are tender and the green beans are crisp tender, about 2 minutes more. Drain and return the noodles and veggies to the hot pot.

3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil, two turns of the pan, over medium to medium high. Add the butter. When it melts, add the shallot and garlic and stir until softened, a minute or two. Whisk in the flour, then the wine. Whisk in the milk; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tuna and olives and cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Gently mix the sauce into the noodles and vegetables. Transfer to a 3-quart casserole dish. Top with the cheeses. Sprinkle with the herbes de Provence. Bake the casserole until bubbly and browned in spots, about 3 minutes. Top with the eggs and cornichons.