This crock pot tuna casserole recipe is creamy and cheesy, and you'll love the added freshness from the zucchini and dill. No need to cook the pasta beforehand - toss it in dry - and let the slow cooker do all the work!
1tablespoonfresh dill(½ tablespoon of dried dill can be used)
½teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonpepper
1small zucchini(very thinly sliced)
26.5-ounce cans drained tuna (drained and flaked apart; salmon or crab may also be used)
2cupsshredded jack cheese(colby jack, cheddar, mozzarella, swiss, or gouda can be used)
optional garnishes: extra cheese, chopped fresh tomatoes, or minced fresh dill or chives.
Instructions
In a microwave-safe dish, stir pasta, onion, celery, and 1 tablespoon olive oil together. Microwave for 2 to 5 minutes on HIGH, stirring frequently. Cook until half the pasta is blistered.
In a large bowl, stir in the blistered pasta mixture, broth, condensed soup, sour cream, tuna, dijon, dill, salt, and pepper.
Spray crockpot with nonstick spray. Layer in ½ of the pasta mixture, then top with ½ the zucchini slices, and half of the shredded cheese. Repeat layers ending in shredded cheese. (TIMESAVER TIP: You can also dump all the ingredients in, stir it all together, then cook.)
Cover and cook on high 2 to 3 hours, or until the pasta in the very center is tender. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish if desired.
Notes
Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
VARIATIONS: Swap out cheddar cheese for another favorite cheese to vary taste. Try smoked gouda, pepper jack, or mozzarella. Add 1 to 2 cups of chopped baby spinach in the first layer. Substitute canned crab or salmon (remove any salmon bones).
TIPS:
Blistering the pasta and cooking the onions and celery is a key step. The pasta won't cook long enough to cook the onions and celery properly. Blistering the pasta prevents it from going soggy.
Slice the zucchini very thin.
The casserole is done when the pasta is tender and soft in the very center.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Garnish with fresh chopped tomatoes, minced dill or chives, and additional cheese if desired. If you like a crunchy topping - crumble french fried onions, crushed potato chips, or crumbled ritz crackers over the top.