Not Tuna Casserole
- 1 pound fettucine
- 1 stick butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3 cups milk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (eyeball it)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 3 6-ounce cans Italian tuna in oil, drained
- 2 hearts of celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 14-ounce can whole artichoke hearts in water, drained and sliced
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, add a generous amount of salt and cook the fettucine to al dente.
Place a small sauce pot over medium-low heat and melt the butter. Stir in flour with a wooden spoon and cook for about 1 minute.
Whisk in the milk and bring it to a bubble then reduce the heat to low. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. When sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, turn off heat and reserve.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat with the EVOO. Add tuna, celery, onion, artichokes and peas. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until heated throughout.
Drain pasta and add to the pan with the tuna mixture. Pour in the cream sauce and mix everything together until fully incorporated.
In a small bowl, combine thyme, parsley, garlic and lemon zest. Sprinkle over tuna mixture and serve.