This traditional American dish, tuna casserole, is also called Tuna Surprise. It has been a mainstay in many homes for decades.
It’s easy to make this tasty casserole with canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, noodles, and other common pantry items. Potato chips or breadcrumbs are often sprinkled on top.
This article will talk about where this popular dish came from and the interesting thing that gives it its name.
Tuna surprise is a classic potluck and family dinner staple that has been popular for generations The casserole dish typically contains tuna, pasta or rice, peas, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese But where does this retro meal get its curious name from?
The origins provide insight into why this tuna bake earned the moniker “tuna surprise.”
Origins of the Name
There are a few theories about how tuna surprise got its catchy and somewhat mysterious name
-
It was a new, creative tuna dish when first made, hence a “surprise” compared to plain tuna casseroles.
-
The mix of ingredients was unexpected, like finding peas and tuna together.
-
It was named by kids in the 1950s-60s who found the dish surprisingly tasty.
-
The soup and tuna interior gets uncovered at the table for a “surprise.”
Whatever the exact origin, the name captures the improvised, throw-together nature of the dish. The blend of canned tuna with pantry staples does make for an unexpected combination.
History and Creation
Tuna surprise casserole recipes started appearing in cookbooks in the 1950s and 60s. But the dish resembles earlier tuna-noodle and green pea casserole recipes popular during the Great Depression and wartime years.
Its convenience ingredients like canned tuna, dried pasta, canned soup, and cheese aligned with post-war approaches to easy cooking. Tuna surprise bringing together these handy pantry items in one dish perfectly suited busy home cooks.
Campbell’s Soup even featured a tuna surprise recipe on its soup cans for many years. And tuna surprise became a staple meal for church potlucks or ladies luncheons. The dish delivered hearty comfort with little effort required.
Why the Ingredients Work Well Together
On the surface, the mix of canned tuna, peas, pasta, and creamy soup might seem like a random assortment. But the ingredients actually complement each other nicely:
- Tuna provides protein and hearty texture
- Pasta or rice act as an easy carb filler and binder
- Peas add color, nutrition, and a touch of sweetness
- Mushroom soup gives a creamy, comforting base
- Cheese on top melts for richness and binds it together
The components meld into a classic comforting casserole, with the surprise being how tasty the simple combo is. Easy, budget-friendly ingredients transform into an appetizing feel-good meal.
Variations Over the Years
While the core elements have stayed the same, home cooks have customized tuna surprise in many ways:
-
Substitute other short pasta like rotini for elbow macaroni
-
Use jarred Alfredo sauce instead of soup for a creamier taste
-
Add diced celery or onion for crunch and flavor
-
Stir in sliced water chestnuts or almonds for texture
-
Top with crushed potato chips or fried onions for crispy contrast
-
Mix in diced hard-boiled egg whites or peas and carrots
Part of the dish’s ongoing appeal is how easily cooks can tailor it to their tastes. You never know exactly what you’ll get with each tuna surprise.
Why It Remains a Go-To Casserole
After several generations, tuna surprise hasn’t lost its place as a rotatory meal for many families. A few reasons it remains popular today:
- Simple, short ingredient list most people have on hand
- Allows use of leftover peas, tuna, pasta or rice
- Both budget-friendly and easy to make
- Kids and picky eaters often find it appealing
- Brings nostalgia and tradition to gatherings
- Comforting, filling meal kids and adults enjoy
This versatile and beloved tuna bake will likely continue surprising future generations with its enduring taste and charm.
So next time you need a comforting meal that doesn’t require much work, give tuna surprise a try. The tasty tuna paired with creamy soup and cheese baked over rice or pasta makes for a satisfying surprise every time.
The Ingredients Of Tuna Casserole
Tuna Casserole is a simple and budget-friendly dish that is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Cans of tuna in water, peas (or any other vegetables you like), egg noodles, dry bread crumbs, whole milk, and cream of mushroom soup from a can are the main things you need.
If you want to make the dish taste even better, you can add things like canned green beans or carrots instead of peas or cream of celery soup instead of mushroom soup. Some recipes also call for cheddar cheese to be added to the mixture for an extra cheesy flavor.
Put butter, bread crumbs, and grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Mix them together to make a crunchy and tasty topping. Some variations of Tuna Casserole also include sliced hard-boiled eggs as a surprise ingredient.
The History Of Tuna Casserole
Tuna Casserole, as we know it today, was created by the Campbell’s Soup Company in the 1940s. But a dish called cod a la bechamel from the late 1800s was the first to flake fish, mix it with a white sauce, and add a topping like this. The original recipe for Tuna Casserole did not include noodles or peas. This dish was actually called “perfect casserole” in 1952. It was made by putting together “condensed cream soup, canned fish or meat, and a crunchy ingredient like potato chips.” The noodles and peas were added later, probably as either taste changed or people experimented.
The 1950s was the heyday for Tuna Casserole, but it is still made quite a bit today. In a survey done by the U. S. In 1959, the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries found that eight out of ten homes served canned tuna once a week. Tuna fish casseroles were the number one dish served. Families polled said they liked using canned tuna fish because it was quick, easy, cheap, and convenient. But mostly, they said they liked it. It wasn’t just homes that you could find this super popular casserole. It was so popular that it was served in cafeterias, diners, and church suppers.
People in the United States liked casseroles in the 1950s because the ingredients were cheap and easy to find at the store. In about thirty minutes, a family dinner made from a can of tuna, a can of vegetables, a can of soup, and a package of egg noodles is ready. Tuna casserole can also be frozen or refrigerated and then reheated to be eaten the next day. To show kindness, tuna casserole is often brought to the home of someone who is sick or grieving. It is also popular to bring to potlucks.
Over the years, variations on Tuna Casserole have emerged with different ingredients and toppings. Chrissy Teigen featured a version in her cookbook Cravings that included jalapeño peppers. Bon Appétit published a recipe for Molly Stevens’s homemade tuna casserole in 2010. The recipe called for leeks, fresh dill, and Gruyère cheese. Even with these changes, Tuna Casserole is still a classic, comforting dish that makes many people feel very nostalgic.
The Tuna Casserole Everyone Should Know How To Make
FAQ
What is the origin of the tuna casserole?
Why is it called tuna mornay?