Keto Tuna Noodle Casserole: An Adapted Low-Carb Comfort Food
You might miss traditional comfort foods like tuna noodle casserole if you’re on a ketogenic diet. The good news? Just because you’re cutting carbs doesn’t mean you have to give up this comforting dish! A low-carb take on the classic meal, Keto tuna noodle casserole is ideal for sating your needs for comfort food while adhering to your ketogenic diet.
We’ll walk you through a tasty, simple keto tuna noodle casserole dish in this blog, along with variations and helpful hints. This recipe will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation, regardless of your level of experience with the ketogenic diet.
Here’s a recipe card for Keto Tuna Noodle Casserole in a table format:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canned Tuna | 2 cans (5 oz each), drained | Flaked |
| Zucchini Noodles | 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized | Or use alternative like spaghetti squash |
| Cream Cheese | 4 oz | Adds creaminess |
| Mayonnaise | 1/2 cup | Provides tangy richness |
| Heavy Cream | 1/2 cup | For a velvety sauce |
| Shredded Cheddar Cheese | 1 1/2 cups | For the creamy, cheesy texture |
| Frozen Peas (optional) | 1/2 cup | For added color and flavor |
| Garlic Powder | 1 teaspoon | Adds seasoning |
| Onion Powder | 1/2 teaspoon | Adds depth to flavor |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste | For seasoning |
| Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon | For sautéing zucchini noodles (optional) |
| Almond Flour (optional) | 2 tablespoons | For topping crunch |
| Fresh Parsley (optional) | For garnish | Adds fresh flavor |
| Parmesan Cheese (optional) | 1/2 cup | For extra cheesiness |
| Mustard (optional) | 1 teaspoon | Adds tangy kick |
| Hot Sauce (optional) | Few drops | For spice |
Instructions:
- Prepare Zucchini Noodles: Spiralize or slice zucchini into noodles. Sauté for 2-3 minutes if you prefer softer noodles.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine tuna, cream cheese, mayonnaise, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Add the zucchini noodles to the tuna mixture and fold gently.
- Assemble Casserole: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish and top with almond flour and additional cheese, if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and top is golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley or Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!
This table gives a concise overview of the ingredients and step-by-step instructions for making the casserole.
Keto Tuna Noodle Casserole: Why Choose It?
Because of its savoury flavour, creamy texture, and simplicity of preparation, the traditional tuna noodle casserole is a favourite. Unfortunately, pasta, which is heavy in carbohydrates, is usually used to make traditional variations. Don’t worry, though; we can create a tasty casserole that is ideal for a low-carb diet by using keto-friendly spaghetti instead of conventional pasta.
For those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, the following reasons make keto tuna noodle casserole an excellent option:
- Low in Carbs: This is a great dinner for anyone on a keto, low-carb, or gluten-free diet because it uses a substitute for regular noodles, which keeps the carb count low.
- High in Protein and Healthy Fats: The creamy sauce of the casserole offers a healthy dose of fats, which are crucial on a ketogenic diet, and tuna is a terrific source of lean protein.
Comfortable and Satisfying: You don’t have to give up hearty, cosy foods like casserole because you’re following a ketogenic diet. This recipe provides all the flavour and richness without the added carbohydrates.
Easy to Make: This dish is ideal for hectic weeknights or meal prep because it requires little preparation and only requires basic ingredients.
Components You Will Need
The following items are needed to produce keto tuna noodle casserole:
Key Ingredients: Canned Tuna: Two cans (5 oz each), drained and flaked. The protein and flavour of the tuna make it the dish’s star.
Spiralled zucchini noodles, made from two medium zucchini, are a great low-carb substitute for spaghetti.
The sauce gains richness and creaminess from the addition of 4 ounces of Cream Cheese.
Half a cup of mayonnaise is needed to make a creamy, tangy sauce.
Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup – Gives the casserole a smooth smoothness.
For the traditional cheesy, gooey feel, use 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Frozen Peas: 1/2 cup – Optional, for a taste and colour boost (if you’re on a strict ketogenic diet, make sure they don’t exceed your carb count).
One teaspoon of garlic powder is used to season the casserole.
A half-teaspoon of onion powder enhances the flavour.
To taste, add salt and pepper for flavour.
If necessary, use 1 tablespoon of olive oil to sauté the zucchini noodles.
Almond Flour: 2 tablespoons – optional for a little crunch in the topping.
Extra Ingredients: Fresh Parsley: As a garnish.
Half a cup of Parmesan Cheese adds more flavour and cheesiness.
One teaspoon of mustard is required for a slight sour kick.
If you enjoy spice, add a few drops of the hot sauce.
Comprehensive Guide to Keto Tuna Noodle Casserole
First, get the zucchini noodles ready.
Spiralise the zucchini to make noodles first. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can purchase store-bought zucchini noodles or make thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler. After spiralizing the zucchini, spread the noodles on kitchen towels or a fresh kitchen towel to absorb any remaining moisture. To keep your casserole from getting too thin, you must take this step.
Sauté the zucchini noodles in 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are just tender, if you like your noodles a little softer. By doing this, extra moisture will be eliminated, making it simpler to mix them into the casserole.
Prepare the Creamy Tuna Sauce in Step Two
Combine the canned tuna, heavy cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, onion and garlic powders, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Everything should be thoroughly mixed to produce a smooth, creamy mixture. For added flavour, you can also add a few drops of spicy sauce or a teaspoon of mustard, if you’d like.
Fold the frozen peas into the mixture immediately if using.
Step 3: Mix the Tuna Sauce and Zucchini Noodles
Make sure the zucchini noodles are properly coated by gently folding them into the creamy tuna sauce after they are ready. Make sure all of the noodles are covered in sauce, but take care not to break them too much.
Step 4: Put the Casserole Together
Set the oven temperature to 175°C (350°F). Apply cooking spray or olive oil to a 9 × 9-inch baking dish to lightly coat it. Evenly distribute the tuna and zucchini mixture in the prepared dish.
Step 5: Include the garnish
Add a little extra shredded cheddar cheese and two teaspoons of almond flour to the casserole’s top for crunch. This will maintain the dish keto-friendly while giving it a golden, crispy top.
Bake in Step Six
After preheating the oven, put the casserole in and bake it for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling. You can broil the casserole for a further two to three minutes if you want a crispier top, but be cautious not to let it burn.
Step 7: Enjoy and Serve
Before serving, take the casserole out of the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. For added taste, garnish with more grated Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley. Savour your tasty tuna noodle casserole that is keto-friendly!
Keto Tuna Noodle Casserole Varieties
Although this keto tuna noodle casserole has a straightforward base, you may alter it in a variety of ways to suit your tastes:
- Incorporate veggies For added taste and nutrition, you can incorporate low-carb veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms into the casserole.
Spicy Tuna Casserole: If you like a little spiciness, add some cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the sauce.
Cheesy Topping: Before baking, scatter additional shredded cheddar cheese or maybe some mozzarella on top for added cheesiness. - Low-Carb Crumbs: For a more classic look, consider using low-carb breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds to top the casserole if you miss the crunch of breadcrumbs.
Advice for the Ideal Keto Casserole with Tuna Noodles
- Use Fresh Tuna for Extra Flavour Using fresh, cooked tuna can give your casserole a stronger flavour and firmer texture, even if canned tuna is still ideal.
Avoid Overcooking the Zucchini Noodles: Because zucchini contains a lot of water, it is important to avoid overcooking it because this can cause the casserole to become soggy. Just long enough to soften it a little, sauté it.
The dish can be prepared a day in advance and kept in the refrigerator until it’s time to bake. If it’s cold out of the refrigerator, simply extend the baking time by a few minutes.
Wrap-up
The tasty and soothing Keto tuna noodle casserole demonstrates that you don’t have to give up your favourite comfort foods in order to stick to a low-carb or ketogenic diet. This casserole will quickly become a mainstay in your keto meal rotation thanks to its pleasing texture, cheesy richness, and creamy sauce. It’s the ideal weeknight meal or meal prep choice because it’s flavourful and simple to prepare. Try it now for a hearty, low-carb casserole that will help you stay on course for your keto objectives.
