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    Home » Recipes » Mains

    Cheesy Tuna Casserole

    Published: Apr 14, 2019 · Modified: Sep 27, 2023 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 1234 words. · About 7 minutes to read this article.

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    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole recipe.
    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole recipe.
    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole recipe.
    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole recipe.

    Cheesy tuna casserole is a nostalgic dish made with tuna, egg noodles, and a creamy, homemade sauce. This filling and comforting casserole feeds up to eight and is ready in less than 45 minutes.

    Wooden spoon scooping a serving of a noodle casserole.

    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole is a classic American dish that the entire family will love. This homemade casserole is made with egg noodles, canned tuna, peas, and a mild, from-scratch sauce.

    It's topped with melty cheddar cheese and the panko crust adds a great crunch. No canned soups here - the homemade sauce is thick, creamy, and made with a few simple pantry ingredients.

    Serve this cheesy tuna noodle casserole for an easy weeknight meal. It has a mild, creamy flavor that the entire family will enjoy!

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients to make a tuna casserole.
    • Egg noodles - Egg noodles can be substituted with any medium sized pasta like farfalle, shells, or macaroni.
    • Onion and garlic - Aromatics that add flavor to your casserole. I do not recommend omitting either ingredient.
    • Butter - Unsalted butter can be substituted with salted butter if desired (omit ⅛ teaspoon of the listed salt if using salted butter).
    • Flour - Necessary to make a roux, which thickens the cream sauce.
    • Tuna - I recommend solid albacore tuna in water. It has a mild flavor and texture similar to chicken. Albacore tuna is light in color and breaks apart into large chunks that don't get lost in the casserole. Canned light tuna is another good option. Light tuna is pink in color and shreds apart into smaller pieces. It can also have a more distinct 'fishy' flavor. Tuna can also be substituted with canned chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken.
    • Seasoning - Paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper add flavor to your casserole. I do not recommend omitting these ingredients. You can also a dash of hot sauce or your favorite seasoning blend, like cajun seasoning, for a little heat.
    • Chicken broth - Can be substituted with vegetable broth if desired. I highly recommend using regular both, not low sodium or no sodium broth. The salt added to broth helps flavor the casserole. If you need to use a low sodium broth, I highly recommend adding extra seasoning to your casserole to avoid a bland flavor.
    • Peas - Can be substituted with frozen mixed vegetables or frozen corn.
    • Panko bread crumbs - Panko creates the best crunchy crust, but can be substituted with traditional bread crumbs or crushed butter crackers (like Ritz brand).
    • Cheese - I recommend freshly shredded cheese from a block for best melting and creamy texture. I used sharp cheddar cheese, but any creamy, melty cheese works well here. Gruyere or monterey jack are great alternatives.

    Tips and tricks

    Filling a 9x13 white pan with casserole ingredients.
    • Pan size - Use a 3 quart 9x13 casserole dish.
    • Lightly grease your casserole dish - Before adding ingredients, give your casserole dish a light spray with cooking spray or coat with butter to prevent sticking.
    • Whisk the roux - When adding the flour to make a roux, whisk until no flour lumps remain. When adding the milk and broth, whisk continuously until smooth and creamy.
    • Taste test the sauce - Once your sauce is done cooking on the stovetop, do a taste test. Does it taste bland? Sprinkle in more seasoning, like paprika and thyme, or add a dash of hot sauce if desired. This recipe makes a mild casserole, so feel free to adjust it to suit your personal tastes.
    • Cook pasta to al dente - Overcooked pasta will only get mushier in the oven. Undercooked pasta will continue to absorb liquid from the sauce, making your casserole dry.
    • Broiling - When broiling the crust, do not walk away. The broiler can take your crust from browned to burnt in just a few extra seconds.

    Frequently asked questions

    Casserole with egg noodles, peas, and tuna.
    How long does tuna casserole last?

    Leftover tuna noodle casserole will keep for 2 to 3 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.

    Can tuna noodle casserole be frozen?

    Pasta and cream sauce do not freeze well, so I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

    Why is my tuna noodle casserole dry?

    This can happen for a few reasons. The sauce may have been cooked too long, causing it to reduce, leaving you with less sauce to add to the casserole. Your pasta may have been slightly undercooked, so it continued to soak up liquid in the oven. Tuna casserole is mostly baked going into the oven, we're just heating the ingredients up and melting the cheese on top. Baking for too long can make it dry.

    What sides go well with tuna noodle casserole?

    I recommend a side salad, a light vegetable, or some garlic bread. Here are a few of my favorites:
    Strawberry spinach salad
    Sautéed zucchini and onions
    Parmesan roasted frozen broccoli
    Freezer garlic bread

    How can I add more flavor to my tuna casserole?

    Cheesy tuna casserole is a mild, savory casserole that's easy to customize with extra flavor to suit your tastes. Here are a few ingredients that can be added to the cream sauce:
    - A few teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce
    - ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning
    - ½ teaspoon of cajun seasoning

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    📖 Recipe

    Wooden spoon scooping a serving of a noodle casserole.
    Print Recipe
    4.79 from 83 reviews

    Cheesy Tuna Casserole

    Cheesy tuna casserole is a nostalgic dish made with tuna, egg noodles, and a creamy, homemade sauce. This filling and comforting casserole feeds up to eight and is ready in less than 45 minutes.
    Prep Time20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time18 minutes minutes
    Total Time38 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 514kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    Casserole

    • 12 ounces egg noodles, uncooked
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • ½ medium onion, diced
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 16 ounces chicken broth, not low sodium
    • 12 ounces milk
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon thyme
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 cups frozen peas
    • 12 ounces canned albacore tuna, drained
    • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded, divided

    Topping

    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • ¼ teaspoon pinch of salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.
    • In a pot of salted, boiling water, cook egg noodles according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain, pour noodles into 9x13 pan, and set aside. 
    • Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, add butter. Once hot and melted, add diced onions. Cook until onions begin to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and flour, whisking to incorporate, and cook for 1 minute. 
    • Add chicken broth and milk, whisking until incorporated and smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce has thickened slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. 
    • Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, paprika, peas, tuna, and half of cheese, stirring to combine. Optionally, do a taste test and add more seasoning to taste. Pour mixture over noodles and toss to coat.
    • Sprinkle remaining half of cheese on top of casserole. 
    • In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, melted butter, and salt. Sprinkle evenly over casserole. 
    • Bake uncovered for 15-18 minutes, or until casserole is heated through. Optionally, broil for 2 minutes to brown crust on top. Do not walk away from your oven while broiling, your crust will brown quickly.

    Equipment Recommendations

    • Emile Henry 9x13 Stoneware Baking Dish
    • Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • SS 3-Quart Saucepan

    Notes

    • Leftovers will keep for 2-3 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Cream based sauces and pasta do not freeze/thaw well, so I do not recommend freezing leftovers.
    • Tuna can be substituted with canned chicken or cooked and shredded chicken.
    • If using a low or no sodium broth, you'll want to add additional seasoning (salt, pepper, paprika, everyday seasoning blend, or a dash of hot sauce) to the recipe to make up for the lost flavor.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 783mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 965IU | Vitamin C: 19.4mg | Calcium: 307mg | Iron: 2.6mg
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American

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    1. Carol

      July 05, 2023 at 10:47 am

      This turned out great, thank you for sharing. I taste tested before pouring into my casserole and thought the flavor was just right. Its described as mild so that's what I expected and didn't feel the need to add spicy ingredients. Maybe those with issues were using out of date paprika that had lost its flavor? I'd suggest replacing spices every year if they're not used up.

      Reply
    2. Barbara Howell

      July 02, 2023 at 6:53 pm

      Quit blaming the author! Tuna noodle casserole is pretty bland by nature. I add Dijon mustard, horseradish and red pepper to give it some taste. Still pretty bland but I like it especially because I usually have all ingredients on hand.

      Reply
    3. Heather

      June 17, 2023 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Emily, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy the casserole. Unfortunately, the vast majority of reviews come in as star ratings or Pinterest reviews - most don't take the time to write out a written review on the site itself. Here is a pin with more written reviews:
      https://www.pinterest.com/pin/87468417754378045/

      If you find it bland, a few more seasonings or a dash of hot sauce would be easy to stir into the filling before baking. I personally love adding hot sauce to my mac and cheese, so I think it would make a great addition here too!

      Reply
    4. Ginny Sapp

      April 20, 2023 at 10:26 pm

      I added a can of cream of mushroom soup because I felt like it was too dry. Other than that, I followed the recipe. Absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    5. Betsy

      July 16, 2022 at 7:41 pm

      I followed this recipe to the letter and I thought it would be wonderful. It looked beautiful but had no taste whatsoever! I was very disappointed. Trying to think of some way to flavor it up!

      Reply
      • Heather

        July 16, 2022 at 7:55 pm

        Hi Betsy, did you by chance use a low sodium or sodium-free broth? While this casserole is mild, much of the flavor comes from the broth as well as the sautéed onions, garlic, and spices. You're welcome to add more salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika, and stir to incorporate. Or, try adding some Cajun seasoning for some flavor and spice.

        Reply
    6. Ella

      June 30, 2022 at 5:21 pm

      As a young chef, I aprove of this delicious homemade cooked meal. I will for sure be making this again in the near future! Thanks for sharing this!

      Reply
    7. Amanda

      February 01, 2022 at 3:30 pm

      Best tuna noodle casserole I have ever made! This one is a keeper for sure! Thank you so much. I absolutely hate adding cream of _____ soup to anything. This is the way it should be made.

      Reply
    8. Rodriguez Tammy

      December 03, 2021 at 6:44 pm

      So good!!!

      Variations:
      I used whole wheat flour. I made my own bread crumbs from toasted whole wheat bread. I used ghee in place of butter. I used wide egg noodles. I cut recipe in half. Took a little longer to bake.

      All in all DELICIOUS! It is a keeper for sure.

      Reply

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    Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

    Hi, I'm Heather of The Toasty Kitchen. I love cooking with real, unfussy ingredients, and I want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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