Tuna Noodle Casserole--Hello Childhood!!!!

There are a few dishes in our lives that never get old and always reminds us of when we were kids.  For me one of these classics is Tuna Noodle Casserole.  This is one of those recipes where you have to used canned food or it just doesn't taste the same.  I, however happen to feel that way about most casseroles.  After all, casseroles were probably the original fast food.  You are taking a bunch of ingredients that have already been cooked, adding a binder to it, and then topping it with something crusty and or cheesy. 

This Tuna Noodle Casserole is a good one to add to you line up of quick go-to's.  I like to make sure that I have stuff on hand at all times to make this because I never know when I will be in the mood for it.  However, the way I approach it is simple--you can change the shape of the pasta and what you top it with but you have to use the canned cream soup and canned sweet peas or it just doesn't taste right.  TRUST ME, I have tried! 

Ingredients:
2-3 cups uncooked pasta--I either use small mini pasta noodles or egg noodles, whichever I have.
1 can cream of mushroom soup--you can used reduced fat
1 can sweet peas, drained
3, 8oz cans of tuna fish packed in water NOT oil
1 cup of cheese--your choice
S/P to taste
Herbs of your choice
aprox 1 cup Crunchy topping of your choice.  Some favorites are french fried onions or potato chips.

Directions:
Cook pasta according to directions on package.
While pasta is cooking open up your tuna and peas and drain well.
Mix tuna and peas with cream soup and add about 3/4 cup of cheese  and add half of your topping and mix together.  You can add your s/p and herbs at this point as well.  **Options below**
Once the pasta is cooked drain and add to the mixture while it is still hot.
Top with remaining cheese and crunchy topping.
Bake in a 350 degree oven until bubbly and hot.
Let it stand for about five minutes and then serve it up!

***Options***
You can enhance the flavor of this dish by using different herbs.  You can use an Italian Seasoning Blend OR Herbs De Provance (sp).  Both bring something different to the party. 

This dish is not a low fat dish.  It is however a good one to have once in awhile.  After all, who doesn't want a big hug from their childhood every now and then :-)