Ultimate Comfort Tuna Noodle Bake

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 425°F and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.

2. Prepare Topping

In a food processor, combine the Monterey Jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, potato chips, and torn bread. Pulse everything together until the mixture is coarsely ground, about 8 pulses.

3. Prepare Tuna

Drain the tuna using a fine-mesh strainer, pressing it dry with paper towels. Transfer the tuna to a bowl and flake it apart with a fork. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper, then microwave it for about 30 seconds. Let it sit for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.

4. Cook Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous amount of salt. Cook the egg noodles until they are al dente, following the package instructions. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water for 2 minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain them again and set aside.

5. Cook Mushrooms

In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt, cooking until the mushrooms are browned and have released their moisture, which will take about 6-8 minutes.

6. Cook Vegetables

Add another 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot, followed by the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, which should take about 5 minutes.

7. Prepare Sauce

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the pot. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for about 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken. Once off the heat, whisk in half of the cheese mixture until smooth.

8. Combine Ingredients

Stir in the cooked pasta, the tuna mixture, the sautéed vegetables, and the frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

9. Assemble and Bake

Transfer the mixture to a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining cheese and bread-crumb mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling. Let it cool for about 10 minutes to allow the sauce to set, making for neater servings.