SULforMSAT #3 - Tuna Casserole Cups

Standup Lunches for Middle School Algebra Teachers: Episode 3

I grew up in the midwest. Admittedly it is not known for great culinary exploits--more for the communal nature of the church basement potluck. I have a collection of these community cookbooks that are filled with all varieties of casserole, hotdish, and one-pot-dinners. The instructions? Mix in oven-proof dish and bake until done. The first of these cookbooks I can recall comes from Wisconsin. Circa 1973. Complete with at least 14 different versions of today's theme casserole.

I expect that many of you would already know the secret recipe. 1 can tuna. 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup. 1/2 c. milk. 1 small bag frozen peas. 1 pkg cooked egg noodles. Mix. Top with crushed potato chips.  Bake until done. Never seen that before, eh?

I thought it might be fun to try this in the wanton cups for a SULforMSAT alternative. So I started with the classic and made a few modifications. One was in the egg noodles. I didn't think that the ribbon noodles would pack well into cups, I decided to try some smaller pasta. Little stars. I thought they were cute and would add a little binding to the mixture.

1 can Tuna (or chicken or salmon or trout would work too)
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup (I did try the healthy low sodium & fat option)
1/2 lb. of cooked little pasta bits
1 small onion sauted
1/2 c. milk
6 oz frozen petite peas
6 oz frozen chopped spinach (that I chopped even smaller)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (I also added a little leftover Parmesan I had in the fridge)
mix it all up in a bowl and bake at 350 for 45 minutes or so. Makes about a dozen or so.

To be honest, the only real measurements in this dish are 1 can and 1 can. Add whatever else you want or like. Pick a different can of cream soup. Add whatever other spices you want. How about canned chicken + frozen broccoli + 1T curry powder?

You can see that I did not top with the potato chips. Mostly because I did not have any in the house. I also think thought that it would make the dish too crumbly and violate rule #3. But I did add the cheese so that made for some browning on the top.

I think that they turned out pretty well. I will subject Heather to them this week (heck, I might even take some for myself).