Sometimes it is very difficult to eat a healthy diet. Specially when you are in a budget and produce is so expensive compared to junk food (oh, how I miss Mexican markets where food is so cheap all year round) That’s when creativity in the kitchen comes in handy. And I am glad my creativity hasn’t failed me completely yet. It came in handy one night last week when all I have were some basic ingredients to make dinner. I threw together some healthy broccoli, energy-filled pasta, hearty cheese and flavorful tuna to make a filling casserole that was a success in the household (of 2)

Poor man’s tuna casserole
Serves 6

For this recipe you will need:

• 1 lb (500gr) Broccoli, cut in bite-size dices
• 6 ounces (170gr) Tuna
• 3 cups Slightly undercooked pasta
• 1-2 cups Breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Shredded melting cheese
• 1 Large onion sliced
• 14 ounces (400gr) Canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp Ground oregano
• 1 tsp Ground basil
• 1 tsp Italian spices
• 1 tsp Ground garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C)
2. Heat up olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Sauté onion until it turns translucent.
4. Add broccoli and sauté.
5. Add tuna and pasta and cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Cover the bottom of a baking dish with ½ of the breadcrumbs.
7. Add the tuna mix and top with cheese and the rest of the breadcrumbs.
8. Bake for about 25 minutes.
9. Apart, in a saucepan cook crushed tomatoes with the rest of the ingredients for about 10 minutes.
10. When it comes to a boil reduce heat, cover and let it simmer until the tuna mix comes out of the oven.
11. Put some of the tomato sauce on a plate and serve the casserole over it.
12. Enjoy!

This casserole was good and the tomato sauce added a very nice flavor to it. Next time I might bake it all together or add some cream to the baking dish. That evening it saved me from a trip to the store, though.

Buen provecho!