For more healthy casserole recipes, try our Mediterranean quinoa casserole and vegan green bean casserole! There are a few things to note about this casserole. Unlike many tuna casserole recipes, this one is made with brown rice instead of pasta. We also swap the heavy cheese sauce for a lighter cashew-based sauce and use cubes of bread to make croutons, instead of using traditional breadcrumbs. This lightened-up healthy tuna casserole recipe is simple yet satisfying and takes us right back to our childhood.
Here’s everything you need to make it:
Raw cashews – raw cashews make up the base of the creamy sauce. You’ll need to soak them for a minimum of 4 hours (or scroll down for our quick-soak method). Brown rice – medium-grain brown rice is what we use, but any variety of brown rice will work. Sea salt Garlic – this classic aromatic adds lots of flavor. Peas – frozen peas are perfect for adding a pop of color and sweetness. Canned tuna – when choosing canned tuna, look for pole-and-line caught for a more sustainable option. You can use either skipjack or albacore tuna packed in water (not oil). And canned salmon makes a nice alternative. Olive oil – we use olive oil to keep this casserole dairy-free, but you can also use butter (or a non-dairy butter alternative). Bread – feel free to use your day-old (aka slightly stale) white or whole wheat bread. Use gluten-free, if needed.
Like most casseroles, this one is pretty forgiving, so there are lots of ways you can mix up this recipe to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Use a different grain like farro, wheat berries, or even quinoa. Turn it into a noodle casserole using short pasta or egg noodles, cooked to al dente. Swap the tuna for canned salmon or cooked chicken. Add flavor and color with some diced carrots and minced onion. Make our vegan mushroom sauce and use that in place of the cashew cream sauce.
Enjoy this healthy tuna casserole on its own or pair it with any vegetable side or salad for a well-rounded meal. It’s one of those casserole dishes that is perfect for potlucks or parties because it’s suitable for anyone who eats dairy-free, and it’s easy to make gluten-free, too!
It tastes great with a variety of veggie sides or a simple spring mix salad.
Vegetable sides that pair well with tuna casserole
Roasted Broccoli and Carrots Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic Garlic Butter Asparagus
Did you make this?
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