Set It and Forget It: 3-Ingredient Tuna Casserole

My mom is a very gifted woman with a lot of different talents and skills that span across a variety of things- be it art, writing or comedic timing and quick wit- but it’s especially true when it comes to the culinary arts. From elaborate cake decorating to putting together four-course meals on ridiculously short notice- she’s always seemed the most comfortable and confident when she’s making food or experimenting with new recipes (many of which are ones I send her way.)

And while my mom is always up for baking/cooking something new- she does have more than a handful of recipes she falls back on when time or available ingredients are limited- something she learned when helping care for her younger siblings while growing up and then perfected when raising my older brothers and I over the years.

One of her recipes, a 3-ingredient casserole that takes about 30-40 minutes to prep and bake- is one of my favorites- and is also a dish I’ve whipped up on my own during quarantine when I haven’t had the time, patience or the stamina to make it to the grocery store during this ongoing pandemic.

If you like potato chips, you’ll love this one.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

6-8 SERVINGS:

• 2 cans of solid white albacore tuna (I use Starkist- but you can choose any brand of tuna you prefer!)
• 2 cans (10.5 ounces) of Campbell’s condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 bag (8 ounces) of crushed potato chips, with a cup set aside for topping

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Drain the cans of tuna of excess water. Using a fork, flake both cans of tuna into a non-stick 2″ high baking pan or glass casserole dish. Once finished, pour in the 2 cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup and add in the crushed potato chips. Mix well using a large spoon or spatula.

3. Smooth the mixture to cover the base of the pan/dish. Sprinkle the cup of crushed potato chips that have been set aside on top of the mixture and cook for approximately 25-30 minutes- or until you see the casserole starting to bubble at the surface.

4. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and let cool before serving.

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Obviously you can season the casserole with whatever you want and whatever you have available- but it’s a delicious, warm, crunchy dish to whip up and bake for yourself or your family when you don’t want to order takeout or make anything too time-consuming or elaborate (believe me- I know there are just same days when we do NOT have it in us to do much other than lounge and rest.)

And a special thanks to my mom for teaching me a pandemic-appropriate recipe all those years ago. Who knew it would come in handy these days?

xo