EASY Paleo Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole {Whole 30}

Paleo Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole. An EASY paleo tuna zucchini noodle casserole that’s Whole 30 approved, high protein, low carb. Hearty yet healthy, this dish can feed a family! A great way to use your spiralizer and boost your nutrition.

I’ve just solved the worlds problems with a zoodle casserole. Just kidding. I wish. But really, I did find a pretty nifty solution to a first world dilemma. Yes! My mission in life…. to help a picky eater (or any food allergy eater) sneak in extra veggies and pump up their Omega 3’s without them even knowing! Well, this EASY PEASY Paleo tuna green chile zoodle casserole is gonna solve all that today! Comfort food made healthy (and gluten free). Now allow me to explain

You see, you can’t beat homemade comfort food, right? Gah, this is my childhood.  Haha, I am sure you can relate. Casseroles with cream of chicken or mushroom soup, noodles, cheese, and some sort of meat. Yep, I am an 80’s Child. The funny thing is my husband has no idea what tuna noodle casserole is (let alone a zoodle casserole), which is why I (yet again) was itchin to remake this dish… in a paleo zoodle way. But minus canned cream soup, for his sake! Haha. Besides, zoodles are a zoodlerific replacement in EVERYTHING!

I’m also starting to see a Cotter Crunch healthy comfort food Trend here ya’ll…. in the form of Crock Pot Meals, Casseroles, and anything Spiralized.  To be honest, I think it’s the easiest and tastiest way to get more bang for your gluten free buck.  So I decided I’m going to try to keep the trend going.  I’m sure you don’t mind, right? Besides, I’m getting my money’s worth with my spiralizer. LOVE IT!

Anyway, this zoodle casserole also such a great recipe for using what you have on hand. Like canned tuna and zucchini. But not just any canned tuna, amazing CANNED tuna that is all the things canned tuna should be. SAFE!

You all remember my love for low mercury sustainable SAFE CATCH TUNA? Well… I still love it, even more so now. Which is why today I’m partnering with Safe Catch Foods to bring you all a “safe” and easy Whole 30 friendly RECIPE! A Paleo tuna zoodle recipe because that’s just fun tot say.

Ohhh don’t you go run off now,  thinking this is going to be too hard or too healthy. Trust me on this. Trust your crazy Cotter. I don’t mess around when it comes to healthy comfort food. Quintessential comfort food to be exact.

This dish IS EPIC. Green chile, Tuna, zoodles (aka spiralized zucchini), and a spicy paleo mayo come together to make this casserole super simple yet super tasty. Full of healthy fats, vegetables, and packed with pure complete protein and amino acids for those muscles. You can even flex those muscles while you make it. Totally allowed.

Uhh, ya, but don’t tell grandma….. I think I got her beat on this tuna noodle casserole upgrade. Just sayin…

What I love most about this dish is that even thought it’s labeled as Whole 30 and Paleo, it truly tastes like mama’s homecookin! Kid friendly, adult in BIG KID form approved. Like for reals.

Serve in mass quantities for a crowd. Serve it up in single bowl servings. Serve it up now or later (it keeps well in the fridge for days!). Just try it out and see for yourself. I accept any and all feedback.

Friends, we are about a month away from a season of REAL comfort food, childhood food favorites, holiday shenanigans, and all things FALL. I suggest you start practicing now… in a “healthified” kind of way. You know, so you can enjoy more of it without your arteries having a heart attack. Ack! I just pulled the nutritionist card! Sorry not sorry. But in all seriousness, get your casserole baking skills on today! 

And for those who are starting Whole 30 next week, this is one a tasty EASY dish to ease your way in. Promise  Promise!

Now let’s go get our safe catch on and chow down on this Tuna Green Chili Zoodle Casserole! Mmm k?

Cotter Crunch

Yields 6 to 7

EASY Paleo Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole {Whole 30 Approved}

Paleo Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole. EASY paleo tuna casserole that's Whole 30 approved, high protein, low carb. Hearty, yet Healthy, Zoodle Casserole!

15 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

• Three 6-7 in zucchini
• Two 5 oz canned tuna (we used low mercury Safe Catch Tuna Elite)
• 4 oz of diced green chiles (no additive canned works)
• 1/2 c real mayo with olive oil or we use Primal Kitchen Chipotle Mayo (no additives or sugar added) *add 1/4 c more if you want extra creamy
• 2 tbsp chopped chives (plus extra for topping)
• 1/2 tsp seasoning salt of choice or natural sea salt with dehydrated garlic or onion added (primal palate has a great selection)
• 1 tbsp organic mustard (spicy or regular without added sugar. Annie's Organic is Whole30)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 14 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 c chopped onion (peeled)
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
• 2 tbsp coconut flour or tapioca starch (Almond flour works too but does not hold together as well as other flours)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk or cream without additives (see notes for alternatives)
• 1/2 tsp chili pepper or red pepper flakes
• Parsley to garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash and clean your veggies.
2. Preheat oven to 350F
3. Oil a 9x 13 shallow casserole dish. Set aside.
4. Ribbon cut or spiralize your zucchini into noodles. Set aside.
5. In another bowl, combine your tuna (drained), mayo, mustard, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly. Set aside.
6. Oil a medium skillet. Add in your onion and celery and seasoning of choice. Cook for about 6 minute so medium or until onion brown a bit.
7. Next add your coconut flour and milk to the skillet. Stir together with the celery and onion mix until no longer clumpy.
8. Add your zucchini noodles to the skillet and toss all together. Cover and let the noodles and mix cook together for 1 or 2 minutes on medium heat until zucchini is softened but not thoroughly cooked. Don't let it get soggy
9. Remove skillet from heat and pour contents into a large bowl.
10. Mix your tuna/green chile mix in the same large bowl (with the zoodles/milk/onion mix).
11. Toss everything together.
12. Pour mix from the large bowl into your casserole dish. Top with extra seasoning of choice.
13. Bake for 3-5 minutes or until edges are brown.
14. Broil last minute or so to make crispier edges.
15. Remove from oven.
16. Garnish with optional parsley and red chili pepper if desired.
17. Serve immediately.
18. Keeps well in sealed container in fridge for up to 1 week. Freezes for up to 6 weeks but will contain extra water once thawed out.
19. see notes for tips and whole30 suggestions or regular Paleo options

Cuisine: american | Recipe Type: dinner/casserole

Notes

Whole30 Brands we use - Primal Palate Spices, Safe Catch Foods Tuna, Annie's Homegrown Mustard (no sugar added), Primal Kitchen, Betterbody foods coconut flour, Bob Red Mills Tapioca Starch.

regular PALEO options If you are not needing whole30 approved, you can use almond milk and almond flour instead of the coconut flour/milk. You can also use a lighter mayo.

Feel free to freeze this dish, but it will have extra water once thawed due to zucchini. I simple add in more flour or a bit more fresh zucchini.

6.6.11

http://www.cottercrunch.com/paleo-tuna-green-chile-zoodle-casserole/

*Further notes –> all Safe Catch products are also Gluten free, paleo certified, Non-GMO certified, and BPA free. All of their products are wild and sustainably caught!

For those of you curious about WHOLE30. What is it? Who should do it? Etc.

Whole 30 is a 30 day elimination diet (like sugar, grains, dairy and legumes). It’s purpose is find out which foods are having negative impact on your health and to remedy that.

To be honest, I don’t participate in Whole30. I already have a specific diet for my current nutritional needs, which eliminates food allergies from time to time as needed. That being said, I think if  you are wanting to see if you are intolerant to certain foods (and are in the a right body /mind set), then you can totally try Whole30! It’s good to be aware of how our body responds when we focus on real foods or lack of a certain modern day foods. Espeically if you are having chronic health issues. If that makes sense?  You can read Christine’s Whole30 experience about it as well! O

“Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system.” – Whole30 Program

*This Tuna Green Chili Zoodle Casserole recipe is sponsored by my friends over at safe catch! Thank you for allowing me to share their quality canned tuna products and talk about this caring company.

Okay friends, tell me…

Tuna noodle casserole. Did your mom make it? Would you try the zoodle casserole instead? You should. REALLY!

#Paleo Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole. Healthy Comfort food! #easy #Whole30 @safecatch
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Keep up with this Safe Catch Foods (a Whole30 Approved Company) on social media. They are full of gluten free inspiration!  Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest

Cheers!

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