Tuna Noodle Casserole ala Jen...

My take on the classic tuna noodle casserole.
Ingredients list:
1 box whole wheat elbow macaroni (or 1 bag whole wheat egg noodles if you choose)
1 can Campbell's Cream of Celery Soup (reduced fat or sodium)
1 cup Milk...go with reduced fat to save some fat and calories
3 cans chunk light tuna in water, drained
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese...go with reduced fat to save some calories
1 cup frozen peas (thawed)
1 cup frozen corn (thawed)
1/2 head of Cauliflower (cut into florets) (for extra fiber, vitamin c and source of folic acid)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
salt and pepper
Topping:
crushed saltines or bread crumbs mixed with 1-2 Tablespoons melted butter
or handful cheddar cheese


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring 5 quarts water to a roiling boil. Add 1 Tablespoon salt to water and Cauliflower florets. Boil for 2 minutes and then add elbow macaroni. Cook for the shortest amount of time listed on the box. you want them firmer than al dente because they will soak up more liquid later, and you definitely don't want mushy noodles.

2. While cauliflower and noodles are cooking, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and saute onions and garlic until aromatic and just beginning to carmelize. Add drained cans of tuna, peas and corn, and heat through.

3. When noodles and cauliflower are done, remove cauliflower from pot and drain noodles, return noodles to pot. In a food processor, puree cauliflower florets with a bit of water until smooth. Add puree'd cauliflower to noodles along with cream of celery soup, 1/2 cup milk, cheese, and sauted tuna mixture, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until mixed and pour into greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with some crushed saltine crackers, bread crumbs or some more cheddar cheese or leave plain.

4. Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes unitl bubble and the top just starts to brown.

Serve with a side salad and your favorite fruit for a wonderfully delicious new take on an old classic!

PS. you can NOT taste the cauliflower...my DH, who hates cauliflower, ate this and deemed it the best he's ever had! Now, he may be biased or want something...but you be the judge!

Let me know what you think!