Donna's Grilled Tuna Noodle Casserole

It's Saturday night, everyone, and with most of the nation covered with snow, it seems appropriate to serve comfort food even when the weather is in the 70's here.  Tonight's dish is my version of Tuna Noodle Casserole that is deconstructed into its separate components and then assembled in layers of flavor that includes grilled tuna steaks.  I hope that you have a chance to try this delicious "uncasserole"!  Best, Donna:

Donna's Grilled Tuna Noodle Uncasserole

Ingredients:

3 cups Tinkyada brown rice spiral noodles

Olive oil

Salt

Two 6 ounce tuna steaks

1 Tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Tablespoon butter

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 medium sweet onion, chopped

8 ounce package baby Portabella mushrooms, washed and thoroughly drained

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup dry sherry

2 cups Alfredo sauce (store brand or homemade)

4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes

6 – 8 large basil leaves, chopped

Freshly ground Parmesan cheese

About 12 potato kettle chips, crushed

Method:

Cook pasta for 10 minutes in oiled, salted boiling water; drain well, drizzle with olive oil, stir, and set aside.

While pasta is cooking, melt butter on medium in high-edged pan and add olive oil, heating through.  Add onion and saute until golden brown, about 10 minutes.  Add mushrooms and cook down for another 5 more minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste.  Pour in dry sherry all at once and cook down until almost all liquid is evaporated.  Add the Alfredo sauce, cheese cubes and basil, and cook through until hot and cheese has melted.  Keep on low burner until ready to assemble dish.

Coat each side of tuna with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.  Grill at 425 degrees F for about 2 minutes per side for medium rare steaks and about 4 minutes per side for medium well.

To assemble:  Place cooked pasta in bottom of au gratin dish or plate, top with grilled tuna, and spoon sauce over tuna.  Grate Parmesan cheese over sauce, and sprinkle with half of the crushed potato chips.  Repeat for second serving.  Serve immediately.

Serves 2.

Copyright 2014.