Cheesy tuna noodle 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.
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 creamy, made-from-scratch sauce.
This casserole is topped with cheddar cheese and a panko crust for maximum flavor and crunch. No canned soups here - the homemade sauce is flavorful and fresh, a big improvement from the processed stuff!
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
Egg noodles can be any size, but I prefer medium. Or, any medium sized pasta will also work. Try using farfalle, shells, or macaroni.
Chicken broth can be substituted with vegetable broth.
Peas can be substituted with any frozen mixed vegetables or fresh frozen corn.
Panko bread crumbs make the best crunchy crust, but can be substituted with traditional bread crumbs or crushed butter crackers (like Ritz brand).
What type of tuna should I use?
For this recipe, I used solid white albacore tuna in water. I like to use this type of tuna for casseroles because the meat has a mild flavor and a texture similar to chicken.
Albacore tuna is light in color and breaks apart into large chunks, so it doesn't get lost in the casserole. The downside of using albacore tuna is that it contains higher mercury levels. Because of this, it's suggested to only consume one serving of albacore tuna per week.
Canned light tuna is another great option, as it is widely available and generally less expensive than albacore tuna. It also contains lower levels of mercury. Light tuna is pink in color, and shreds apart into smaller pieces. It may also have a more distinct 'fishy' flavor.
Tuna can also be substituted with canned chicken or rotisserie chicken instead.
Leftovers
Leftovers reheat well and will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator, covered in a tightly sealed container.
Dairy based and pasta casseroles generally do not freeze and thaw well, so I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 12 ounces canned albacore tuna, drained
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Breadcrumb Topping
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain, pour noodles into 9x13 pan, and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add butter. Once hot and melted, add diced onions. Cook until onions begin to brown and turn translucent. 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. Pour mixture over noodles and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle remaining half of cheese on top of casserole.
- In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. 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
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.
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!
Hi Betsy, did you by chance use a low sodium or sodium-free broth? Much of the flavor will come from the broth, as well as the sautéed onions, garlic, and spices. You're welcome to add more salt, pepper, and paprika, and stir to incorporate. Or, try adding some Cajun seasoning for some flavor and spice.
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!
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.
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.