Tuna-Pasta Casserole

It has been awhile since I have made a casserole and I thought this would be a great recipe to add to my blog. It is almost like a broccoli and cheese casserole, but with tuna and pasta as well. This would also be a great dish to take to a pot-luck party too! You can also take these ingredients and mix and match with other veggies, like substitute the broccoli for green beans, etc. You can really have fun with this one. Anyway, ENJOY!

Tuna-Pasta Casserole
6 servings

Casserole
1 1/4 cups uncooked medium pasta shells (3 to 4 oz)
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. flour
3/4 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded American cheese
2 cups broccoli flowerets
2 cans (6 oz each) tuna in water, drained (if canned meats bother you, I would recommend using the equivalent serving of fresh tuna)

Crumb Topping
2/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1 Tbsp butter, melted

• Heat oven to 350 degrees
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package
• Meanwhile, in a 1 1/2-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly; remove from hat.
• Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.
• Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in pasta, broccoli and tuna; mix well.
• Spoon into ungreased 2-quart casserole dish.
• Cover and bake about 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix topping ingredients.
• Sprinkle topping over casserole.
• Bake uncovered about 5 minutes longer or until topping is toasted.