When Rent Week Comes, Make This Comforting Casserole | Struggle Meals

Rent week means it's time to get creative! Frankie Celenza shows you how easy it is to transform leftover pantry staples into a delicious tuna noodle casserole.
Watch the new season of Struggle Meals now on Tastemade, available on all major streaming platforms. New episodes air Thursdays at 8pm ET!
For more info: www.tastemade.com/tv
_________
Subscribe to Tastemade: taste.md/1QsXIWq
LIKE us on Facebook: taste.md/1Zf0Bve
FOLLOW us on Instagram: taste.md/1OaAv4P
FIND us on Snapchat Discover: taste.md/1P9UuDM

[@DavidFSloneEsq]

Dear Tastemade, Please pay Frankie a decent living wage. He is a talented cook and a charismatic television personality, and he deserves better than having to live hand to mouth this way. Sincerely, David F. Slone, Esq.

[@Ace-1525]

My mom used to make this all the time when money was tight. She'd also add a can of peas to the casserole to sneak some veggies in on me.

[@Tastemade]

Tuna Casserole FTW!

[@joepassino]

My dad use to make all the time too, when I was tiny I always called it tuna doodoo casserole lol. Great if you can add a little cheese to the sauce, maybe some paprika to the crumbs? Dad would also throw in peas or or frozen broc for veg. Serious comfort/nostalgia meals

[@saljwil]

Frozen peas!

[@Seabacon346]

Yes! Peas are so good in this dish

[@huggledemon32]

Yes- corn is also a good option- or diced up carrot!🥰🥰

[@kathyerickson9402]

I ate a LOT of this growing up...all that it's missing is the peas. Gotta have those veggies!

[@alsinakiria]

Onion and celery were my mom's favorite additions. We French people like to put them in everything.

[@melissacomer8404]

Yep, peas. Mom always put peas in hers.

[@oopssuedaisy]

I was thinking it needs peas to!

[@a0roar0in0the0dark]

When are we getting an episode dedicated to the packet drawer?

[@thegourmetgrandadandfamily]

This recipe will make my PENSION go a bit further,,, so pleased I am subscribed to this Channel ...👍👍....

[@rovingroger9743]

Hope your Channel Grows ....👍..

[@rachelsweets]

Love your channel

[@Tastemade]

Thank you so much!

[@Tastemade]

That makes two of us 😂

[@brianboitano370]

Struggle meals has to have the healthiest comment section on all of KZbin. Like normally there’s at least a little toxicity in any channel’s comments, but here they’re just all positive from happy viewers A happy viewer myself, I can certainly say that these videos have helped me improve my cooking. I never tried any specific recipe Frankie lays out, but it’s not about the recipes. It was never about the recipes. It’s about learning to think creatively and effectively utilize food. Frankie comes up with half these recipes on the spot based on the ingredients he has and doing that is what makes this a great series.

[@1rachp]

Hands down the best channel on the internet. Quality content in a short video... *chef's kiss*

[@b.nytes-baron8889]

Standard Friday night dinner at our house, with the peas.

[@CLOWNBOT00]

I went to college and they threw in a extracurricular for free: Debt 101. I'm starved!

[@queenfrostine97]

Me when he says the roux is going to become a béchamel: 😍😍😍

[@luannebarlet7316]

What is bechamel?

[@medemartyler]

Luanne Barlet a bechamel is when you add milk to a roux. It’s basically a thick creamy sauce

[@Marialla.]

Inspirational! I made this tonight, but only had half a can of tuna. So I added its juice to the gravy to boost the flavor, and also added peas and chopped celery to the onions for the same reason, as well as to boost the textures. I did also find a few strips of bacon, which I cooked very crisp and chopped to garnish the top of the casserole, and the grease the bacon released was the fat in which I made my roux. Even with very little meat, this casserole was SO full of flavor! My kids and I loved it and will definitely make it again!

[@pollydavis8686]

Back in the day when i took Home Ec.....a loonnnggg time ago..i wish we had been taught to make things like this!

[@Dymphna1990]

My mom would take your packet drawer and marry all the packets into their appropriate condiment bottles and spice jars.

[@beasttitanofficial3768]

That's such a mum thing to do 😂

[@shyanncales7076]

You should pay Frankie more and have him do every single one of your videos he's the best

[@kimbare7434]

Packets of plain coffee creamer can help with making things taste more creamy. I've used it in making mashed potatoes.

[@rachelwise148]

Love the recipe, love the 70's hair wave more! Keep the segments coming Franke!

[@chophappy]

Love these videos! They do such a great job showing that a good tasting meal doesn't have to be expensive

[@mrad4234]

Thank you!! I’ve been waiting for this episode since struggle meals started!

[@LettersinLipstick]

I make this dish with a box of white Mac and cheese with some frozen peas added for veggies. It's so easy and delicious! 😋

[@cjbrunette1413]

Thanks! In MN we call it hot dish. Also, some peas would make it even better!

[@susannminall7456]

Love tuna noodle casserole.

[@huggledemon32]

In Australia we call this “Tuna Mornay”1 my friend puts a layer of sliced boiled eggs on top of hers- under the cheesy breadcrumb topping- delicious!

[@danny___928]

collab with binging with babish!!!!!!!!

[@Tastemade]

Not a bad idea!

[@user-xd6nc6rg7b]

They could make budget and extravagant versions of the same dish side by side. 😁

[@redcitadel9123]

Yes!!! 😁

[@beasttitanofficial3768]

Babish like okay so let's use our truffles and lobster Meanwhile Frankie out there with his canned tuna

[@jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj000]

No peas??! Look in your freezer--I'm sure there is a half full bag of frozen peas in there ;)

[@zoramystic2ify916]

I LOVE tuna noodle casserole!

[@greghunt7724]

Baby in college I could write a book on struggle meals.

[@rainydayssustainableliving6947]

You ideas are wonderful thank you!

[@kp-ue3xn]

Never had but sure wanna try..

[@p0ltergeists]

I was watching this in the tiny player and I thought the can of oats on the shelf said "Dan" and I was like "well I guess that belongs to Dan then"

[@anitraahrens905]

Along with canned tuna fish, I also keep canned chicken to make chicken noodles casserole for a budget friendly meal, too.

[@birgittazandhers9257]

Is there a written recepie? I can put it together but how long in the oven and at what temp?

[@Lisa-uo8rd]

www.tastemade.com/shows/linear-struggle-meals/rent-week/recipes/tuna-noodle-casserole

[@crystalkintop7817]

I love watching your videos, since I discovered you on snapchat, I'm not afraid to use the spices in my cabinet. And I love cooking for my 3 year old daughter and she loves helping. 😊

[@msjkramey]

That's the best :) my dad and I don't have the best relationship, but we will never lose our bond over books and cooking and gardening. I used to be his "sous chef" as soon as I was old enough to balance on a chair while reaching counter height lol. I still remember how proud that made me feel and like my dad was super proud, too. Plus, I've carried those skills with me. Cooking makes me so, so happy, and I hope to pass it on to my potential kids one day

[@normasubia6807]

Call your dad when you can it’s so important 😢❤️😢

[@bonniebrickley6544]

thank you

[@Crusty-pistachio]

It needs some cheese.

[@lagunarad]

I always add some grated Parm

[@luannebarlet7316]

Thanks for reawakening my taste buds!

[@DaniJHollis]

I had thought as a kid, in my hubris, in my ARROGANCE, that casseroles were for old white women at church dinners. Now that I'm a semi-old white woman who cooks often for church dinners, I find that I was mostly correct. But also they're really good for non old non white non women at non church dinners too. Moral of the story tuna still tastes funny but it's Frankie so I'm prolly gonna make it for dinner tomorrow.

[@pandoravex4791]

Casserole are super versatile. They get a bad rap because of the fact that it’s pantry food and people now are more wary of the sodium in said casseroles. But his didn’t use the notorious cream of mushroom or cream of chicken, he made a good o’l fashion béchamel.

[@lisaknox4257]

Made last weekend, with cheese, because I like it!

[@bridgettscarborough9563]

I am making this now. I will let you know how it turns out. I added canned corn because I was using very small macaroni noodles and needed to fill the pan. I also added white chaddar. I substituted cayenne pepper for the onion powder. I love spice. We shall see. In the oven now. Smells delicious.

[@bridgettscarborough9563]

Update...The dish turned out GREAT!

[@Tracks777]

lovely video

[@cynthiasimpson931]

I have some cooked rice in the refrigerator and some canned chicken in the cupboard (we don't like tuna) so I'm going to make a variation of this.

[@rgar21]

Butter in the packet drawer? There's shelf stable butter?

[@kaileynewel2180]

Yes! When I get the little ones from Tim Hortons (I'm Canadian) I always collect them.

[@Xenophoresis]

1:03 HOW ON EARTH DID THAT CHICKEN STOCK NOT FALL THE WAY HE'S HOLDING IT?!?!?!

[@MapleRhubarb]

That casserole looks scrumptious!!! But was that soy sauce I spied in the fridge?? We've never refrigerated ours.

[@Thanatos--]

Eating like "Kings" and tuna noodle casserole will never be one in the same.

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

That's no 'low rent' recipe! 😉

[@lagunarad]

You forgot the peas Frankie!

[@anitraahrens905]

I would keep the butter in the refrigerator, never in the "packet drawer."

[@cheer90099]

3:24 Chef John???

[@owen2886]

Could this work with spaghetti noodles?

[@sarahritter2055]

It will work with any cooked pasta, and you can add any canned or frozen veggie of choice as well. 😊

[@Yesica1993]

Finally, a recipe even I could probably make... if I had an oven. Sigh.

[@loniansley591]

You really don't even need an oven. I had 4 brothers, and at times, there was no time for the oven! Lol! Everything can be kept hot in your noodle pan. Put everything in and toss until coated and heated through. The oven is just really for crisping up the cracker crumbs. We used to top it with crushed up potato chips, ie the crummy parts in the bottom of the bag... lol! Put your noodles and sauce in a bowl or on a plate and add some chips or cracker crumbs to the top! 😋☀️😋

[@joecamps1119]

All I need to know is can I sub canned pollo cuz fukka tuna

[@stoverboo]

Frankie, why would you drain away all that tasty oil or water in the tuna can? That's free flavour!

[@arod7teen304]

How much time does the casserole go in the oven

[@jncchang176]

Recently I started buying that Lactaid or A1C(???) milk. Is that conducive to making a roux or baking? I never thought about it before.

[@brendaokuda2158]

Yes. I've been using the Lactaid milk for over a year & it cooks up beautifully......just like the real thing. Once, a while back, we were REALLY low on money & I bought the milk from the Dollar Tree that sits on the shelf unrefrigerated & it WORKED TOO!!!! So, if you're ever in a pinch, I hope this helps.

[@MapleRhubarb]

@@brendaokuda2158 I've gotten the shelf stable milk too; it's great to keep on hand for weather related emergencies.

[@jncchang176]

@@brendaokuda2158 thank you. That eased my mind.

[@supermiss78]

@Frankie make something with shrimp please

[@littleblue15]

Shrimp is not a struggle food. Das expensive lol

[@nat4288]

Actually, there was a decent looking bag of shrimp for $3.99 sale at my grocery store. Just had to shell them but it was worth it. Made spaghetti with garlic/lemon/butter shrimp. It was yummy and on budget!

[@annettethomas2770]

Where's the cheese?

[@kewlbns69]

needs cheese and draining the noodles over the tuna instead of the other way around...you just lost a lotta flavor. :/

[@bengali481]

Use the tuna water as proof the stock--don waste the flavor!

[@msjkramey]

I will eat lima bean "soup" with white bread toast and butter, potato soup, bologna and ketchup sandwiches, but I will never, ever eat a casserole, especially one with warm canned fish in it. I might sound snobby, but I just can't do it. I would much rather eat buttered pasta and cold canned tuna separately than putting them together and turning them into some slop. The whole casserole thing sounds as appealing as the meat jello dishes in retro days. No thanks

[@LaundryFaerie]

What is going on with the sound quality in this episode? Sounds like it was run through a tin can.