Tuna Mornay (Baked Tuna in Cheese Sauce)
In short: Canned tuna and peas in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with golden breadcrumbs and baked, a budget pantry dinner served over rice or pasta. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 485 kcal
Tuna mornay is a pantry-friendly dinner that many Australians grew up eating on weeknights. Canned tuna and peas are folded through a cheesy white sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and baked until bubbling. It is mild, creamy and cheap, and it is served over rice, pasta or mashed potato. A little mustard and lemon juice stop the sauce from tasting heavy.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a 1.5 litre (6 cup) baking dish.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in the warm milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the mustard, the 120 g of cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper until the cheese melts.
- Fold in the tuna, broken into chunks, along with the peas and parsley. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.
- Mix the breadcrumbs with the remaining cheese and scatter over the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then serve over rice or pasta.
Tips
- Use warm milk and add it slowly so the sauce stays smooth. If lumps form, whisk hard or blitz briefly with a stick blender.
- Add a handful of sweetcorn or sautéed mushrooms for extra bulk, or swap the tuna for flaked cooked salmon.
Questions and answers
Can I make tuna mornay ahead?
Yes. Assemble it without the topping and keep it covered in the fridge for up to a day. Add the breadcrumb topping and bake for about 30 minutes.
Can I freeze tuna mornay?
Freeze it, baked or unbaked, for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until hot through, about 30 minutes.
What should I serve with tuna mornay?
Rice is the classic, with steamed beans or a green salad. Pasta or mashed potato also work well.
How long does it take to make Tuna Mornay (Baked Tuna in Cheese Sauce)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tuna Mornay (Baked Tuna in Cheese Sauce)?
About 485 kcal per serving, with 38 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 485 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1050 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
