Tuna Mornay

Discover how to prepare a simple tuna mornay completely from scratch, including the white sauce. Utilizing cost-effective ingredients like canned tuna and incorporating nutritious spinach, this pasta bake dish is bound to become a household favorite.

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What Is Tuna Mornay?

Tuna Mornay is a comforting, creamy casserole dish that is particularly popular in Australia. It is a traditional favorite usually consisting of canned tuna mixed into a creamy white Mornay sauce made from butter, flour, and milk (similar to a béchamel sauce). Many individuals also add ingredients like cheese, onions, peas, corn, mustard, or herbs for additional flavor (and color). The mixture is then poured into a baking dish, topped with more cheese or breadcrumbs (such as Pangrattato), and baked until bubbly and golden on top.

It is commonly served with rice or pasta, but I prefer to prepare mine as a tuna mornay pasta bake, mixing everything together before baking. If desired, you can make tuna mornay without pasta by simply omitting it from the recipe to create a low-carb version.

This dish is economical, hearty, and straightforward, which explains why it is a go-to for weeknight dinners. I will guide you through making it from scratch (no pre-made white sauce!) and I assure you that you will be making it repeatedly.

What You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the tuna mornay recipe. Refer to the recipe card below for the complete measurements.

• For the sauce – butter, garlic, flour (you can use gluten-free, regular, or almond meal), and milk (regular, almond milk, or lactose-free), salt, and pepper.
• Also for the sauce – grated cheese like Gouda or Cheddar and baby spinach.
• Canned tuna – I recommend using good quality, responsibly sourced canned tuna for better taste and higher quality fish cuts.
• Pasta – penne, fusilli, or rotini are suitable options. You can omit pasta from the recipe or substitute it with cauliflower or broccoli for a low-carb version.
• Pangrattato (Italian Breadcrumbs) – this is a herby, garlicky breadcrumb topping that adds delightful texture and extra flavor to the dish. You can find a homemade pangrattato recipe on the blog here. Alternatively, you can create a simple version with Panko breadcrumbs or stale bread ground up and toasted in olive oil with garlic and dried herbs. For an even simpler version, use plain breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and dried herbs, mixing them just before topping the casserole.

How To Make Tuna Mornay

Refer to the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some helpful step-by-step photos.

• Cook the penne pasta al dente according to the package instructions, then drain.
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 6×8-inch baking dish.
• In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
• Add flour to the garlic, stirring to combine, and cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
• Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, until the sauce thickens and simmers.

• Stir in spinach and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, add shredded Gouda cheese, and stir until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
• Combine the sauce with the drained tuna and cooked pasta, mixing well.

• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with half of the breadcrumbs (pangrattato). If using plain breadcrumbs, combine them with minced garlic or garlic powder and dried herbs in a bowl, then sprinkle over the tuna pasta casserole.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and sprinkle with the remaining breadcrumbs and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
• Allow to cool briefly, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve.

Recipe Tips

• You can use canned salmon instead of tuna in this recipe. If you are not a fan of fish, substitute with sliced cooked chicken.
• If you prefer not to use breadcrumbs, you can exclude them from the recipe. The dish will still be delicious without the crispy breadcrumb topping. You can add extra cheese on top before baking.
• Omit the pasta or swap it with diced cauliflower or broccoli for a low-carb variation.

Serving Suggestions

This tuna mornay recipe includes pasta, making it a complete meal that can be accompanied by a simple side salad or some garlic broccoli. For a tuna mornay without pasta, you can serve it with rice, quinoa, or vegetables. Since this casserole dish is hearty and creamy, I recommend pairing it with something refreshing and tangy for a side dish.

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