The One-Step Method That Turns Tuna Casserole Into An Umami Bomb

Among comforting weeknight meals, it doesn't get any more classic than a tuna casserole. The dish melds reliable pantry staples like cream of mushroom soup, canned tuna, egg noodles, and cheese into a large pan, yielding a cost-effective, satiating, yet delicious meal. Nevertheless, such a combination is so pragmatic, the casserole can start to feel a little too cozy. So awaken the taste buds with a dose of umami by tossing some miso into the mix.

Most often, this fermented soybean product serves as the base for miso soup. Yet its intricate palate of salty, sweet, and savory flavors plays just as well with canned fish; the ingredient gives tuna salad a major flavor boost. Miso imparts a richness that equally elevates a tuna casserole, without overbearing on its classic comforting qualities. And since it's satiated with umami, the dish's other flavors taste saltier and more sumptuous in the process. 

Best of all, incorporating the miso is a one-step process. You'll just need to add about 1 tablespoon while assembling the creamy sauce — wether that's the soup, milk, or heavy cream — and with some stirring, the miso paste will dissolve. It's best to lightly heat the mixture amidst the combination, but never let miso boil. Then, simply pour onto the casserole and bake as usual, enjoying the richly flavored result.

When the typical tuna casserole recipe feels trite, keep in mind the dish readily welcomes new twists. And miso presents an ideal oppurtinity to explore various flavor palates. Experimentation starts depending on the variety you purchase. Spending a little more on miso goes a long way; it's a complex fermented product that comes in hundreds of varieties. For purposes of a tuna casserole, white or yellow pastes are the most common picks. These spend less time fermenting, thereby lending a less-intense, gentler dose of flavor. Although for more intense saltiness and funk, consider using a small amount of red miso, or you can even create a blend for your casserole.

Enhance the Asian-inspired flavors with a touch of soy sauce, and if you're craving a casserole on the sweeter side, incorporate some mirin. Classic aromatics like five spice, ginger, and garlic also do well to season the mix. And to further punch up the spice, throw in some chili sauce, pepper flakes or a dash or two of hot sauce. Miso also pairs exceptionally well with mushrooms, so consider sautéing some fresh fungi into the mix.

Finally, don't rule out reworking the dish concept completely, like with the 21st-Century tuna casserole. Here, you can swap the pasta for soba, canned tuna becomes raw fish, and a miso, butter, and cream dressing flavors the food. In essence, a tuna casserole is just a baked creamy pasta with fish — so use such a wide-ranging template to your advantage.