Wednesday, November 16, 2011

WIAW: Comfort and convenience

Move that body: 2ish mile run and 25 minutes yogilates

Growing up, it was all about the Hamburger Helper.


Beef Pasta and Cheeseburger Macaroni and Stroganoff. Oh God, I still have nightmares about that Stroganoff.

My  mom wasn't serving up this dinner in a box because she couldn't cook or was a bad cook. She knew her way around the kitchen though I would venture to say she was more of a baker than a cook. Our dinners were based on convenience and cost. Hamburger Helper was cheap and easy, and she was able to make it between jobs or before sports practice (mine not hers).

However, every once in awhile, she'd get in the kitchen and make "dog food," a concoction - a very bland one, I should add - of ground beef and white rice; roulade, a German dish; and my favorite, tuna casserole.

I love tuna casserole. Like, love it. Well, the way my mom made it - with canned tuna, canned soup and milk. It's the way I make it now. You know what? I don't feel bad about it.


Tuna Casserole

8 ounces pasta - I like medium shells
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 cans tuna in water
1 can reduced fat cream of mushroom soup
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste 
Milk or fat-free half and half as needed
1/2 cup to 1 cup cheddar cheese

Make pasta according to package directions. Drain. In the same pan, add onion, garlic and broth; cook until soft. Add tuna, including water, soup, Worcestershire and salt and pepper. Stir ingredients together and warm sauce. Add milk or fat-free half and half to give sauce the desired consistency. In the past, I've also added cream cheese or sour cream at this point. Add pasta back in along with the cheese. Stir and cook until cheese is melted.

I ate this for dinner last night, along with buttered peas. I know people sometimes put peas in the tuna casserole but my mom didn't. So there.

What is your favorite convenience meal?

P.S. Sorry for the lack of meals on WIAW but I was too involved with me yesterday to take photos.

P.P.S. Last week, some of you asked about Pumpkin Fluff. It's an old Weight Watchers recipe that calls for pudding mix, milk, pumpkin, pumpkin spice and Cool Whip. I posted the recipe here.

3 comments:

  1. My mom used to makew tuna casserole too and we LOVED it when we were younger! I Don't think I have had it in years tho!

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  2. I heart tuna casserole and now you have me wanting it!!! Must make next week :)

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  3. I still try to make that tuna casserole and have yet to have it come out like I remember! I will give your recipe a shot :-)

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