Tuna Noodle Casserole For That Random Craving

The much wordier title for this post would have been The-Tuna-Noodle-Casserole-for-when-you-want-something-comforting-but-you-also-want-to-eat-some-veggies-because-you’re-an-adult-and-its-the-responsible-thing-to-do. Buttttt let’s focus on the craving part of this casserole because that was really the catalyst for its creation.

I don’t know what came over me the other day. I would never consider myself a casserole person, but I had picked up some Banza pasta and a few cans of tuna from Costco and every time I caught a glimpse of them in the pantry I couldn’t shake the idea of turning them into a tuna noodle casserole.

I don’t know that tuna casserole is something I grew up with (correct me if I’m wrong mom?). I don’t even know that I can recall many, if any, times in my life I had eaten tuna noodle, so this craving really caught me off guard.

To satisfy the craving though, as mysterious as it was, while simultaneously respecting my adult desire to squeeze veggies into every meal I created this healthy riff on the classic that I may or may not have grown up with and I am certain it will be a staple from here on out. So here you go, a comforting casserole that also feels like a nourishing option for a weeknight dinner that reheats well as lunch the next day.

I used Banza pasta because I like the added protein and fiber it brings, but feel free to use another pasta if you prefer.

Tuna Noodle Casserole For That Random Craving

• 10 ounces dry Banza rotini pasta

• 3 tablespoons butter, divided

• 1 white onion, diced

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

• 1 3/4 cup whole milk (unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk work well too)

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• 3/4 cup cup grated cheddar cheese

• 2 (7 ounce) cans tuna, drained

• 1 1/2 cup frozen peas

• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

• Salt and pepper, to taste

  For the topping:

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1 tablespoon butter

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Spray a 2-quart baking dish or 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, or grease with olive oil. Or use a 12 inch cast iron like I did.

Boil the noodles until al dente, according to the directions on the package. Once done cooking, drain and set aside.

Cook your onions: Place a large pot over medium-high heat and add in 1 tablespoon butter. Once butter melts, add in the mushrooms, onions, thyme and salt and pepper. Stir occasionally until mushrooms and onions are cooked down about 4-6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

In the same skillet you cooked the onions, add in 2 tablespoons of butter and place over medium heat. Once butter is melted, whisk in a little bit of the flour and then slowly add in the milk, a little bit at a time, alternating with the flour and vigorously whisking away any lumps. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes stirring every so often, until the sauce thickens up. If it gets too thick, add in ¼ cup more milk.

Once thick, turn off the heat and stir in garlic powder, parmesan cheese. salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Stir in cooked noodles, onions and onion mixture, drained tuna, peas, and spinach. Season again with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour mixture into your prepared baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture on top of casserole and bake for 20-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

Rosemary Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

To me, there are few things better than a classic chocolate chip cookie. I can say no to a lot of things, but chocolate chip cookies are a really tough one for me to turn down. Because the Holidays obviously need more dessert that are hard to say no to, I decided to bring a hint of Holiday spirit to my classic chocolate chip cookie recipe by infusing browned butter with rosemary and the results are pretty irresistible.

In my classic chocolate chip cookie recipe I don’t use browned butter, but to be able to impart that earthy, pine-y flavor from the rosemary it was an essential step. This required some math skills to be flexed as I had to account for the water content I was losing as the butter was browning, but that’s all stuff you don’t have to even think about — I got you covered.

I hope you find the subtle flavor that the rosemary imparts has you feeling festive! Have a wonderful Holiday. <3

Rosemary Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• 2 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 sprigs rosemary

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 cup white sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 egg

• 1 egg yolk

• 12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (I have been loving using this bar from Trader Joe’s)

• Maldon salt for topping

In a saucepan over medium heat, add in the butter and rosemary sprigs. Allow to melt then continue cooking, swirling often to keep the milk solids from burning. The butter with get foamy and bubbly and then as it starts to subside it will brown quite quickly so keep an eye on it. As soon as the butter is a deep golden-brown and is smelling nutty, remove from heat and pour the butter through a strainer to separate it from the rosemary sprigs. Allow the butter to cool until it is solid. If you’re pressed for time you can set a small bowl inside a larger bowl full of ice water and stir the melted butter around until it becomes more solid.

Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl combine the browned butter, sugars, and vanilla. Add in the egg and egg yolk to the butter and sugar mixture. Combine. Add in the dry ingredient mixture. Combine. Stir in the chocolate chunks until well combined.

Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop tablespoons of dough onto a greased baking sheet  Bake for 12 minutes or until cookies are golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with maldon salt and allow to cool on the baking sheet.

Enjoy!

A Giant Pumpkin Pop Tart with a Brown Sugar Icing

With Thanksgiving arriving in less than 2 weeks I’ve been dreaming up a dessert that feels like a good balance of both fun and tradition. This giant pumpkin pop tart brings the drama but fulfills that classic pumpkin pie craving all the same. The brown sugar icing makes it feel like an even more decandent dessert than your classic pumpkin pie, but the fact that it’s honoring your childhood pop tart dreams makes it casual and playful — the perfect treat to round out your dessert spread.

A Giant Pumpkin Pop Tart with a Brown Sugar Glaze

Recipe for the crust is slightly adapted from Ambitious Kitchen

The Crust:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter

• 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoon sugar

• 3-4 tablespoons ice cold water, plus more if necessary

The Filling

• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin purée

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 1 and ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

• ¼ teaspoon salt

Egg Wash:

• 1 egg

• 2 Tablespoons water

Brown Sugar Icing

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/4 cup milk + 2 Tablespoons to thin out at the end if necessary

• 1 Tablespoon butter

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• pinch of salt

Making the crust:

Before you make the crust, cut the butter for the crust into small cubes and set on a plate. Place in the freezer for 15-30 minutes so it gets VERY COLD. While you do this, you can get all of your other ingredients out and ready to go.

To make the crust: Add the flour, sugar and salt to a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add the VERY COLD butter cubes and pulse again for 20-30 seconds until pie dough starts to resemble tiny peas.

Next, add in 2-3 tablespoons ICE COLD water to the dough. Pulse until dough comes together just a bit, resembling small beads. The dough should still be somewhat crumbly; I recommend squeezing a small amount of dough between your fingers; it should stick together well, but if it doesn’t and is very crumbly, add more ice water, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, until it just comes together. If your dough is too wet, add 1/2 tablespoon flour until it comes together. Do not overwork the dough.

Place dough onto a well-floured surface and divide in half to form into TWO disk shapes, then wrap with plastic wrap or in a reusable bag. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes-1 hour or up to 2 days. Dough can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months if well wrapped in both plastic and then foil.

Once dough has been chilled for at least 30 minutes, place dough on a VERY well-floured clean surface and use a well floured-rolling pin to roll the dough into two roughly 12”x8” rectangles. Trim the extra crust around the edges of the pie plate and discard excess dough. . Cover the pie crust tightly with plastic wrap and place pie pan in the refrigerator while you prepare your pie filling.

Making the filling:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees while you’re making the filling.

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée and egg until smooth.

Add the brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, and whisk again until everything is combined. Set aside.

You’re only going to use 3/4 of the pumpkin pie filling and then feel free to freeze the rest.

Putting it together:

Remove one of the pie crusts from the refrigerator and place on a baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper.

Whisk a large egg with 2 tablespoons of water. Use a pastry brush to brush the outside inch of dough on the baking sheet with the egg wash. Spread 3/4 of the pumpkin pie filling in the center of the bottom crust, leaving about a 1 inch border on all sides.

Remove the second pie crust from the fridge and place it on top of the filling. using your fingers to slightly push dough together around the edges. Use a large fork to make indents along the border of the pop tart, then poke fork lightly in the center of the pop tart to allow air to escape.

Brush the whole top of the pop tart with the remaining egg wash if using. This will give your pop tart a pretty shine.

Bake for 20-22 minutes, until the dough is light golden brown. Allow to cool while you make the glaze.

Making the icing:

In a medium saucepan on medium heat, warm the butter, brown sugar and milk together. Whisk together until combined and bring to a slow simmer. Let simmer for about 1 minute then remove from the heat. Add the vanilla and the powdered sugar, whisk together until smooth. If this feels too thick for your liking go ahead and add in 1-2 tablespoons of milk to thin out the icing.

Once the Pop Tart is completely cooled cover it with icing. Use as much icing as your heart desires. I used about 3/4 of the icing, but you do what feels right to you. Allow the icing to set and then serve.

Our Favorite Coffee, Food, + Sights in Omaha, Nebraska

After calling Omaha home for the last 6 years (with a 6 month hiatus in California) it felt like time to round up all of our favorite Coffee, Food, + Sights. Whether you’re just passing through or have lived here for years, these are all the place I think are absolutely worth your time. Drop a comment below and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear what some of your favorites are!

Coffee

• Archetype - Completely separate from the fact that the owner of this coffee shop placed 4th in the world barista championship in 2023, this shop is at the top of our list of most-visited in Omaha. They have amazing espresso, drip coffee, and a phenomenal selection of pastries to choose from. Their coffee menu is simple (no seasonal lattes), but they truly know what they’re doing. I’ve never gotten a milk based drink that wasn’t flawless in both flavor and aesthetic. A perfect place to meet a friend or post up and work for a few hours. The Little Bohemia location is the one we frequent most, but the other locations are great too.

• Astute Coffee - Located in an old bank building, this social-enterprise offers workforce development and personal growth to young adults coming out of the foster system. What drew us to this coffee shop initially though was the fact that they offered Onyx Coffee pour overs. They have since expanded their pour-over menu ten fold and now they have us in a choke-hold. We come here almost every Saturday morning to try new pour overs and it has become the highlight of our week. If you’re looking for an incredible pour-over experience or just looking to support a great cause, this is your place.

• Myrtle and Cypress - If you’re a fan of lattes that use all natural sweeteners and high quality milks, including cream-top whole milk and homemade almond and cashew milk, then this shop is for you. They have a selection of gluten-free and dairy-free pastries to choose from as well as a delicious avocado toast. They now have two locations and although very different from each other, they both deserve to be destinations on your tour of coffee shops around Omaha.

• Rally - This is one of my favorite coffee shops to get work done at. The natural light is unbeatable and their outside patio has a really fun city-meets-industry vibe that speaks to me. I generally just get their drip coffee because it’s delicious, but they also have some really great food options including a breakfast sandwich and avocado toast that are both delicious.

• Bad Seed Coffee - I don’t frequent this shop as much as the other four, but it still deserves to be mentioned. When I do go there I always think ‘Why don’t I come here more often?” The vibes are great and the coffee is delicious. I usually just get drip coffee here as well, but this summer when I felt like treating myself I would get an iced shaken espresso with a little bit of brown sugar syrup — IT. WAS. HEAVEN.

Food

Cheap Eats

• Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob - A small shop serving up amazing falafel and kabob salads, sandwiches, and plates. I highly recommend the curry fries.

• Tasty Pizza - This is the spot for cheap pizza in a hurry. Josiah’s favorite is the mushroom and mine is the Mediterranean.

• Cheeseburgers - A greasy takeout burger joint. The best deal is on Tuesdays - $5 for the original cheeseburger.

• El Arepon - Venezualen hole-in-the-wall serving up amazing arepas and empanadas.

• Korean Grill and Egg Rolls to Go - A hole-in-the-wall korean bbq place with incredible bulgogi and hot pot bibimbop.

• La Sierra - A hole-in-the-wall authentic mexican restaurant on 10th street. My favorite is the cheese quesadilla which I know is kind of basic, but my husband loves the ancho chile burritos. The burritos are smaller than what you might envision a traditional burrito being so you might want to get 2-3.

• El Basha - Casual Mediteranean spot that is really delicious.

• Okra - Incredible African food with a casual atmosphere. I love the peanut butter chicken and the ablo (sweet rice dumplings).

• Three Happiness - A Chinese restaurant that delivers on all of the classics.

• Brazen Head - An Irish pub serving up delicious fish and chips, french onion soup, and spicy cheese curds.

Mid-Range

• Mula - Incredible mexican comfort food and margaritas in a very trendy neighborhood with lots of bars within walking distance

• Shucks - Fish house and oyster bar with great fish and chips as well as (no surprise) oysters.

• Lola’s - This is potentially our most visited restaurant in Omaha. I love their frittata, pastries, charcuterie, wine, salads, + sandwiches. Don’t forget to snag yourself a loaf of sourdough bread to-go.

• Block 16 - Alton Brown claims Block 16’s Croque Garcon Burger as his favorite burger ever. Their dragon wrap, three happiness fries, + poutine burrito all deserve your attention as well, but good luck choosing. I can guarantee one visit will not be enough.

• Blue Sushi - I highly recommend planning your visit around their all-day happy hour on Sunday.

• Pitch - Great pizza + salads.

• Lyle’s - Another top notch pizza spot. The vibes are on point and they use a sourdough crust which is always a win for me. They once had a curry cream soda cocktail that might possibly be the best cocktail I’ve ever had in my life. It was a seasonal one, but I am crossing my fingers they bring that one back.

• Dumpling Empire - A laid back environment, but offering a top notch food experience. Don’t miss out on the cucumber salad, tri-colored steamed soup buns, pork belly bun, and steamed tri delicacies dumplings.

• Fizzy’s - A retro soda-shop-esque diner serving up boozy shakes and greasy eat to satisfy your late night craving or help you nurse that Sunday morning hangover.

• Crescent Moon - A great laid back bar serving up delicious grilled sandwiches and burgers.

• Kinaara - There are a lot of delicious Indian staples on their menu, but the real reason to come here is for the masala fries.

• Get Real Sandwiches - Obviously the sandwiches are delicious, but the fried brussel sprouts are also a must.

• Heirloom Fine Foods Market & Cafe - This is a fancy little grocery located in the Millwork Commons building that also has a deli where you can get really delicious sandwiches.

• Clean Slate Food Co. - They offer a meal delivery service focused on sustainable-locally sourced ingredients, but they also have some delicious grab-no-go as well as made to order options at their Millwork Commons Cafe. Everything I’ve had here felt nourishing and tasted so delicious.

• Dolomiti - Wood-fired pizza with a Northern Italian influence. I love both the Rustica and Formaggi pizzas as well as the citrus beet salad.

• Vis Major - A really fun brewery that always has a solid rotation of beers and pizzas. If you’re a pickle person, the pickle pizza is a must.

Fancier Fare

• Au Courant - They serve up modern takes on European dishes and is an excellent spot to celebrate a special occasion. I highly recommend doing the chef’s tasing menu that ranges from $75-95/person. It’s indulgent, but so worth it. A top tier culinary experience of my life — hands down.

• Clio - An upscale Mediterranean spot in the Old Market that feels like you’re walking into a Greek dream. The food is phenomenal and the decor is incredible. We love the saffron rice fritters, yellowtail crudos, crispy potatoes, and sausage stuffed dates. I highly recommend making reservations, but you might be able to test your luck sitting at the bar.

• La Buvette - A wine bar and grocery in the heart of the Old Market. If you want to feel like you’re in Europe this is your spot. Grab a glass of wine and a few small bites to split with your girlfriends and hang out on the patio. They don’t take reservations, but its totally worth the wait or trying to hit it at an off time.

• Yoshitomo - Run by an award winning Chef, this sushi restaurant is known for serving up some of the best around.

• Ooh De Lally - The cocktails, mocktails, and appetizers are where this place shines in my opinion. The shortrib fries, Dundee dip, and grilled cheese are my top picks.

Sweet Treats

• Coneflower - This farm-to-cone ice cream shop uses real, local ingredients and serves up a wide range of seasonal flavors along with a handful of classics. I am a sucker for the cookies-and-cream, but it’s truly hard to pick a favorite. Yelp listed it as their #1 Ice Cream shop in the U.S. so no visit to Omaha is complete without a stop here.

• Sweet Magnolia - If sugary treats are your thing, this is your spot. A boutique bakery specializing in perfectly crafted, melt-in-your-mouth confections.

• Carter & Rye - I stopped trying to perfect my homemade hand pies after I tried the ones at Carter and Rye. They’ve gotten it down to a science and I am happy to support the fruits of their labor. They have a rotating list of sweet and savory hand pies that are all guaranteed to make you smile.

Drinks

• Beercade - One hand holding a beer, one hand playing an arcade game — what’s not to love? There are two locations, one in Benson and one in Little Bohemia.

• Tiny House Bar - Seasonal craft cocktails featuring local & regional spirits, wine, and beer in a 110 year old house in Little Bohemia. turing local & regional spirits, wine, and beer in a 110 year old house in Little Bohemia. The interior shines with its mixing of local art and one of a kind furnishings & wallpaper. The drinks are delicious and the vibes are ones you’ll want to come back to time and time again.

• Nite Owl - This place feels like you’re stepping onto the set of Mad Men and it’s a top pick for where I want to be on a Friday night. There’s always a movie projected behind the bar to provide some entertainment. I have yet to have something I didn’t like from here, but if you’re not sure where to start get an order of the Totchos and one of the on-tap cocktails and see where the night goes. Don’t forget some fried Oreos and maybe an order of wings or two.

• Little Ricky’s - Either before or after you stop at Nite Owl pop over to this bar and hang out on their rooftop. Solid drinks and who doesn’t love a good rooftop?

• Trap Room - Located in the Northern downtown area, this is the perfect bar to grab a drink before or after a show at the Slowdown or as a destination on its own if you’re looking for a relaxed environment with a solid beer and cocktail selection.

• Vis Major - I mentioned this place above, but worth throwing in this section as well. A really fun brewery that always has a solid rotation of beers and pizzas. If you’re a pickle person, the pickle pizza is a must.

• Pageturners Lounge - Another Mad Men-esque bar with great vibes and solid drinks.

• The Bull Moose - A Teddy Roosevelt inspired neighborhood bar with cabin vibes, craft cocktails, and a great beer selection. I equally love sitting on their patio and lounging inside, making it a great year-round option.

• Mercury - This cocktail lounge in downtown goes all in on their cocktail menus both in recipes and aesthetic of the physical menu itself. They once had their menu written on a CDs inside a 2000’s CD case and another time it was written on a Broadway playbill. The creativity is so fun and keeps you coming back for more!

• Homy inn - A great destination for some Champagne on tap as well as dive bar drink classics.

• Red Lion Lounge - A Live Jazz bar located in Blackstone serving up classic on-tap cocktails for a very reasonable price. It’s the perfect place to hang out on a Weeknight with friends or take a date for a post-dinner cocktail.

• Idle Wine and Goods - If wine or fancy canned fish are your jam, this place is for you. The owner is always super willing to help you pick out a bottle of wine for your next dinner party or pour you a glass to enjoy right there in the adorable little shop. No matter what you get, your day will be better after making this a pit stop.

• Dry Spokes - If alcohol isn’t your thing or if you just need a break, this mocktail focused bar is a great place to post up on a Friday night. They have a live monthly poetry slam this is super fun.

• Scriptown - A microbrewery located in Blackstone turning out some classic, locally handcrafted beers.

• Kros Train - I’m a super fan of their Fairy Nectar, a hoppy IPA that has notes of grapefruit, mango, and tropical goodness. Their downtown location is my favorite because of the industrial warehouse vibes.

Things to Do

City

• Neighborhoods to check out

  • Dundee - Great restaurants and really fun area to walk around and look at houses.

  • Blackstone - Great for going out on any night of the week. We live very close to this area so we frequent it often.

  • Benson - Great for going out on a Friday or Saturday night.

  • Little Bohemia - Great shops for picking up some great gifts, but also some great places to get coffee or drinks.

  • The Old Market - Old brick building and brick roads set the tone of this classic part of Omaha that is super fun to walk around.

• Gene Leahy mall - Omaha's iconic downtown park featuring a performance pavilion, a state-of-the-art playground, interactive water features, a sculpture garden, and a sizeable dog park. The addition of this park has made me much more proud to call Omaha home.

• Joslyn Castle and Garden - A gorgeous mansion located near the Blackstone district I definitely recommend popping over to walk the grounds at the very least, but if you want a peak inside you’ll need to join a guided tour for $17/person.

• Lauritzen Gardens - A beautiful botanical garden that’s definitely worth a visit.

• Joslyn Art Museum - It’s free and 100% worth a visit.

• Small Music Venues to check out

  • Slowdown

  • Reverb Lounge

  • The Admiral

  • Waiting Room

Nature

• Shram Park State Recreation Area  - A great place to have a picnic and then do some hiking.

• Zorinsky - A great place to ride bikes or walk around a gorgeous lake. The 7 mile loop around the lake is completely paved.

• Standing Bear Lake - The perfect location to plan a 3.3 mile walk around a lake followed by a picnic by the water.

• Neale Woods Nature Reserve - This is our favorite hiking spot around Omaha because it’s rarely crowded, so consider it a true act of friendship that I’m willing to share this secret with you. Located north of Omaha, Neil Woods has what I would consider the truest form of hiking close to the city (dirt paths, challenging hills, a secluded feel, etc.) and is totally worth the drive.

• Hitchcock Nature Center - Just across the river in Iowa you can find some more of what I would consider “true” hiking. We don’t frequent here as often because it can get a bit more crowded than Neale Woods and is a further drive for us, but it’s still a fantastic option! They also have some great campsite available that we’ve enjoyed using.