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    Home » Recipes » Casseroles » Tuna Casserole

    Tuna Casserole

    Published: July 1, 2019 · Modified: Aug 9, 2023 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    This old-fashioned Tuna Casserole is classic comfort food for a reason. It’s quick, easy, and uses pantry staples! Filled with tender egg noodles, cream of mushroom, tuna, and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping, your whole family will love this casserole for dinner.

    A plate with a serving of tuna casserole with a baking dish full in the back and an iced drink on the side.
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    This baked tuna casserole recipe is such an easy recipe to make! It’s pure comfort food, and you only need a handful of ingredients to make it. It is the perfect meal to make when you’re not sure what to make for dinner, as it’s hearty and comes together quickly, making it ideal for a busy weeknight.

    While this dish may seem simple, don’t let it fool you! It’s so flavorful and you’ll love all the different textures in each bite. The egg noodles are perfectly tender, the base is cheesy and creamy, the tuna is juicy, the peas add a wonderful pop of color and sweetness, and the breadcrumbs are irresistibly crunchy on top. Serve this with my homemade dinner rolls or garlic bread for an even more filling meal.

    If you want other easy casserole recipes for dinner, then try my chicken casserole, chicken spaghetti, or corn casserole recipe.

    What You Need to Make This Recipe

    Ingredients needed to make tuna casserole.

    Egg noodles — these are a must for tuna casserole! Compared to traditional pasta, egg noodles have a higher egg-to-flour ratio, resulting in fluffier, lighter noodles that hold their shape well when baked. However, if you don’t have egg noodles, you can substitute any other pasta noodles.

    Cream of mushroom — this is a classic ingredient that creates the creamy base of the casserole. If you’re not a fan of cream of mushroom soup, you can use cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup.

    Tuna — I recommend using high-quality canned tuna for the best flavor. Solid white albacore tuna is a great option, as it has a great texture and a mild flavor, so it tastes less fishy. The canned tuna I use is not packed in water or oil, so there’s nothing to drain. If you’re using a different canned tuna, make sure to drain well before using it.

    Cheese — I use cheddar cheese, but feel free to use your favorite cheese.

    Breadcrumbs — bread crumbs are a simple way to add a crunchy topping to your tuna casserole. You can also use panko breadcrumbs, potato chips, or even ritz crackers.

    How to Make Tuna Casserole

    Set of two photos showing egg noodles added to a pot of water and onions cooked in a skillet.

    1. Boil the egg noodles in salted water according to package directions, and drain. You are aiming for al dente.

    2. While the noodles are cooking, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion to the melted butter and cook until tender.

    Set of two photos showing milk added to cream of mushrooms and the rest of the ingredients added to the mixture.

    3. In a large bowl, combine the canned soup and milk, stirring until smooth.

    4. Add the hot noodles, cooked onion, tuna, 1 cup cheese, and peas. Stir together until well combined.

    Set of two photos showing shredded cheese and breadcrumbs added on top of the tuna casserole mixture in the baking dish.

    5. Transfer to a greased 13×9-inch casserole dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

    6. Place the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a small bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals until melted. Add the breadcrumbs and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole. Bake until bubbly and lightly golden brown, about 25 minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

    A forkful of tuna casserole lifted from a plate.

    Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

    • Not only is it more cost-effective to buy a block of cheese to shred yourself, but it also tastes more fresh compared to buying pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese also has added ingredients to prevent them from clumping in the bag, so shredded cheese from a block melts more smoothly and evenly.
    • Feel free to switch the cheddar cheese for your favorite melty cheese, such as mozzarella, gruyere, or pepper jack.
    • Be careful not to overcook the egg noodles. The noodles will continue cooking in the oven, so you don’t want them to be overdone.
    • There’s no need to thaw the peas before adding them to the baking dish. When frozen, it helps keep them from overcooking. This ensures they stay firm and green instead of turning brown and mushy.
    • There’s no need to cover the casserole as it bakes. If you cover the casserole as it bakes, the topping won’t be crispy.
    Two plates of tuna casserole with a glass of iced drink on the side.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you keep tuna noodle casserole from drying out?

    There are a few reasons why your casserole may be dry. The most common mistake is not adding enough liquid. Do not skip stirring in milk to the cream of mushroom as the egg noodles soak up the liquid, keeping the casserole moist. Also, I recommend setting a timer for your oven, as overbaking will dry the casserole out. Finally, make sure you’re using the correct sized baking dish for your casserole. If it’s too large, the casserole will bake through faster, leading to a dry dish.

    Can tuna casserole be frozen?

    It is super easy to freeze a casserole, either before or after it’s cooked. If baked, allow the casserole to cool fully before wrapping it up in a layer of plastic and freezing for up to 3 months. When ready to eat or cook, simply thaw the casserole overnight in the fridge and bake as directed or reheat until warm throughout. Use aluminum containers if you plan on freezing the casserole as they’re lighter, and you won’t risk thermal shock on ceramic dishes.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    You sure can! Assemble this easy tuna casserole recipe a day before, tightly wrap it in plastic, and keep it in the fridge. The next day, bake as directed.

    How do I store leftovers?

    Store leftover tuna casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, you can reheat it in the oven until warmed through or use the microwave. If you want to keep the breadcrumb topping crispy, use the oven.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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      Baked Mac and Cheese

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      Broccoli Casserole

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      Green Bean Casserole

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      Breakfast Casserole

    If you’ve tried this Tuna Casserole recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    Overhead view of a spoonful of tuna casserole in a baking dish.
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    5 from 24 votes

    Tuna Casserole

    You only need a handful of pantry staples to make this easy tuna casserole recipe. It's perfect for a busy weeknight dinner when you don't have anything planned!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 478kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • 9×13″ casserole dish
    • Medium skillet
    • mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces egg noodles (340g)
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 small onion diced (202g)
    • 2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup (298g per can)
    • ½ cup milk (120mL)
    • 2 (7-ounce) cans tuna drained (198g per can)
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (226g)
    • 1 cup frozen peas (170g)
    • ½ cup breadcrumbs (56g)
    • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 13×9-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
    • Boil the egg noodles in salted water according to package directions, and drain.
    • While the noodles are cooking, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
    • In a large bowl, combine the soup and milk, stirring until smooth. Add the hot noodles, cooked onion, tuna, 1 cup cheese, and peas. Stir together until well combined. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
    • Place the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a small bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals until melted. Add the breadcrumbs and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
    • Bake until bubbly and lightly brown, about 25 minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

    Notes

    • Not only is it more cost-effective to buy a block of cheese to shred yourself, but it also tastes more fresh compared to buying pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese also has added ingredients to prevent them from clumping in the bag, so shredded cheese from a block melts more smoothly and evenly.
    • Feel free to switch the cheddar cheese for your favorite melty cheese, such as mozzarella, gruyere, or pepper jack.
    • Be careful not to overcook the egg noodles. The noodles will continue cooking in the oven, so you don’t want them to be overdone.
    • There’s no need to thaw the peas before adding them to the baking dish. When frozen, it helps keep them from overcooking. This ensures they stay firm and green instead of turning brown and mushy.
    • There’s no need to cover the casserole as it bakes. If you cover the casserole as it bakes, the topping won’t be crispy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 860IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 339mg | Iron: 2mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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