Fem365: Fitness. Food. Femininity.

First, thank you to everyone who commented/voted on yesterday’s post! I love option 3 (and it was the most popular by far), but I’m still leaning toward option 2 because it’s easier to read… I think I might flip a coin to make the final decision. Now, onto today’s post… ABOUT FOOD!

I adore tuna noodle casserole. This grain-free version has all the flavors of the comfort food classic without the noodles! Unfortunately, the plated version was not picture-worthy. If you are looking for a pretty dish to serve to company, look elsewhere… But if you’re looking for healthy, family-friendly, down-home YUM you have come to the right place. Gluten free, grain free, legume free, dairy free (but full of yum). 

Tuna "Noodle-Less" Casserole... Nothing beats a potato chip topping!

Tuna “Noodle-Less” Casserole (or “Tuna-Veggie Casserole”) by Bri

For casserole:

• 1 medium yam, semi-peeled (okay to leave some of the peel on) and diced into ¼” cubes
• 1 medium white potato, semi-peeled as above, diced into ¼” cubes
• 3-4 celery stalks, chopped
• 10-12 mushrooms, chopped into small pieces
• ½ sweet onion, diced
• 1 can water chestnuts, chopped or sliced
• 20 black olives (about half a can), sliced in half
• 11 oz chunk light tuna in water (I use the “family-size” foil pack rather than the can)

• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup raw cashews
• 1 large clove garlic, chopped
• 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp coconut flour
• 1 tsp dried dill weed
• ¼ tsp celery seed
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ¾ tsp salt
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 1 egg

• Crushed potato chips (approx. half a bag)

Veggies should be chopped into fairly small cubes... Everything should be about the same size.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Place all casserole ingredients (veggies and tuna) in large casserole dish or 9×13 baking dish. Gently mix to combine.
• Add all sauce ingredients except egg to blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add egg and blend for another 15-30 seconds. Pour sauce mixture over veggies/tuna and mix gently until completely combined and sauce is evenly distributed throughout veggies/tuna. Gently pat down top of mixture with back of spatula until the surface is level.
• Cover dish tightly with foil and back for 50 minutes, covered. After 50 minutes, remove foil, top with crushed potato chips, and return to oven to bake (uncovered) for another 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.