This tuna noodle casserole is the weeknight bake: egg noodles, canned tuna, peas, a creamy sauce, and breadcrumbs. It is not tuna salad and it is not a chicken casserole. Use this page for tuna noodle casserole.
Print
Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Classic tuna noodle casserole with egg noodles and peas. From Olivia at Flavors.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340g) wide egg noodles
- 2 cans (5 ounces / 142g each) tuna in water, drained
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
- 1/2 small onion, minced
- 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (50g) panko or crushed Ritz
- 2 tablespoons (28g) butter, melted
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish. Boil noodles 1 minute shy of package time. Drain.
- Stir noodles, tuna, soup, milk, peas, onion, cheddar, salt, and pepper. Spread in the dish.
- Toss panko with melted butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 22 to 28 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden. Rest 5 minutes.
Notes
Tuna in oil is richer; drain it well. A handful of potato chips on top is the old-school move.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Casserole, not salad
Tuna salad is cold. This is a hot noodle bake. Different intent.
Substitutions
Cream of celery works. Rotini instead of egg noodles is fine. Skip cheddar if you want it paler.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not fully cook the noodles. Do not skip draining the tuna or the pan goes watery.
Storage
Refrigerate 3 days. Reheat covered. The topping softens; a few extra minutes uncovered helps.
Nutrition (estimated)
About 410 calories per serving. Estimate only, not a lab test.
FAQ
Can I use fresh tuna?
This recipe is built on canned tuna. Fresh is a different dish.
No cream of mushroom?
Make a quick white sauce with butter, flour, and milk, then add sautéed mushrooms.
Can I freeze it?
Freeze before baking, without the crumbs. Add crumbs when you bake from thawed.
Egg noodles or pasta?
Egg noodles are the classic. Short pasta works in a pinch.