Tuna Paccheri Casserole
I like to make casserole pies for special pet events and for dog birthday parties rather than some wheat, flour. egg and yogurt iced cupcake or regular pet cake. As normal this is a meal that you can eat as well. Bone Appetite.
Preparation Oil the pan. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; whisk for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking often. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, whisking frequently, until sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in Fontina and 1 cup Parmesan. Add egg; whisk to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Cover sauce and keep warm. Arrange a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 375°F. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until almost al dente (pasta will continue to cook while baking). Using a large slotted spoon, transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add peas to pasta water; cook until just tender, about 1 minute. Drain peas; add to bowl with pasta and then add in the tuna fish. Stir in cheese sauce. Add arugula, 1 cup parsley to the pasta mixture. Transfer half of pasta mixture to prepared pan. Mix ricotta and lemon zest in a small bowl; dot half of ricotta mixture over pasta. Spoon remaining pasta mixture into pan and dot with remaining ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake pasta until top is golden brown, about 10 minutes longer. Let rest for 35 minutes; remove pan sides.
Ingredients ¼ cup extra virgin oil oil 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter plus more for pan 1/3 cup plus 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan, divided (about 3 1/2 ounces total) 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3 - 4 cans of tuna (chopped chicken breast can be substituted) 4 cups whole milk 1 cup shredded Fontina cheese 1 large egg Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 pound paccheri rigati or rigatoni 1 cup shelled fresh or frozen peas 2 cups coarsely chopped arugula 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint 1 cup ricotta (about 9 ounces) 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest