Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (2024)

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Homemade classic tuna noodle casserole, the quintessential American dish made from scratch and under $10 to make, the kids love it!

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (1)
Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna casserole is classic comfort food! The ingredients are simple – canned tuna, mushrooms, peas, noodles in a homemade creamy sauce (without canned soup) finished with toasted breadcrumbs. Keeping canned tuna on hand is a great way to whip up quick lunches and dinners like the classic Tuna Melt or Tuna Macaroni Salad.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (2)

I love a bowl of this healthier tuna noodle recipe. Lots of recipes call for canned cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup. This recipe is made from scratch, with real ingredients, no canned soups and it’s so good.

Ingredients:

  • Noodles – for the noodles you can use no-yolk noodles, elbow pasta, penne pasta or brown rice pasta for gluten free
  • White Sauce – butter, onion, all purpose flour or gluten free flour mix, chicken broth and milk, plus optional sherry, for more flavor
  • Mushrooms – sliced baby bella mushrooms or white button mushrooms
  • Vegetables – Frozen petite peas or use peas and carrots
  • Canned Tuna – canned albacore or chunk light tuna in water, drained
  • Cheese – reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
  • Topping – whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh Parsley – for garnish

How to make homemade tuna casserole from scratch

  1. Cook noodles in a large pot if boiling salted water until al dente, or slightly under cooked by 2 minutes. Set aside.
  2. Melt the butter in a deep, large skillet. Add onions to the melted butter and cook on medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir well, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes onmedium-low heat
  4. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly spray 9 x 12 casserole with cooking spray.
  5. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until well combined, increasing heat to medium andwhisking well for 30 seconds, then add the milk and bring to a boil.
  6. When boiling, add sherry, mushrooms and petite peas, adjust salt and pepper to taste and simmer on medium, mixing occasionallyuntil it thickens (about 7 to 9 minutes).
  7. Add drained tuna, stirring another minute.
  8. Remove from heat and add the reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese and mix well until it melts. Add the noodles to the sauce and mix well until evenly coated.
  9. Pour the mixture into casserole and top with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray and top and bake for about 25 minutes.
  10. Place under the broiler a few minutes to get the crumbs crisp (careful not to burn).

Variations

  • Veggies: You can easily adapt this with different vegetables, try it with frozen peas and carrots, broccoli, etc
  • Swap out canned tuna: If you don’t like tuna fish, you can use leftover chicken breast or salmon.
  • Noodles: Use whole wheat noodles or gluten-free in place of white noodles
  • Pasta: Elbow macaroni can be used in place of egg noodles
  • Add some minced garlic or garlic powder with the onions. Feel free to adjust salt and black pepper to your taste.
  • Optional Topping Ideas: Top with baked, crushed potato chips, french-fried onions or crushed ritz crackers in place of parmesan and panko.

Can you freeze a tuna casserole?

Yes, there’s two ways to freeze it. A make-ahead method which is great for a busy weeknight meal, or you can freeze the leftovers.

For the make-ahead method, prepare everything up to the point of baking in the baking dish. Once you’ve combined everything with the exception of the breadcrumbs and Parmesan, cover tight with plastic wrap, then foil and label it with the name and date. To cook, defrost in the refrigerator overnight, top with Parmesan and bread crumbs and bake.

Leftover, oven-baked tuna casserole can also be frozen. To do so transfer the leftovers to an airtight container then freeze. To cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat.

Is Tuna Casserole good the next day?

Yes, you can reheat tuna casserole the next day. For storage, refrigerate in an airtight containter up to 4 days.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (3)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (4)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (5)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (6)Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (7)

More Canned Tuna Recipes:

  • Chickpea Tuna Salad
  • Tuna Lettuce Wraps with Avocado Yogurt Dressing
  • Canned Tuna Ceviche
  • Tuna Macaroni Salad
  • Italian Tuna and Brown Rice Salad

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (8)

Tuna Noodle Casserole

4.75 from 183 votes

8

Cals:318

Protein:27.3

Carbs:34.3

Fat:7

Tuna casserole, the quintessential American dish. Perfect for potlucks and under $10 to make. Made with canned tuna, mushrooms, peas and noodles in a creamy sauce (and no canned soup) finished with toasted breadcrumbs – so good!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (9)

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 /6th of casserole

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces no-yolk noodles, or egg noodles of choice
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium onion, minced fine
  • 3 tbsp flour, or gluten free flour
  • 1 3/4 cups fat free chicken broth
  • 1 cup 1% milk
  • 1 ounce sherry, optional
  • 10 ounces sliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1 cup frozen petite peas, thawed
  • 2 5 oz cans tuna in water, drained (I used albacore)
  • 4 ounces 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar, such as Cabot
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
  • fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Cook noodles in salted water until al dente, or slightly undercooked by 2 minutes. Set aside.

  • Melt the butter in a large deep skillet. Add onions and cook on medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir well, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat

  • Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly spray 9 x 12 casserole with butter flavored cooking spray.

  • Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until well combined, increasing heat to medium and whisking well for 30 seconds, then add the milk and bring to a boil.

  • When boiling, add sherry, mushrooms and petite peas, adjust salt and pepper to taste and simmer on medium, mixing occasionally until it thickens (about 7 to 9 minutes).

  • Add drained tuna, stirring another minute.

  • Remove from heat and add the reduced fat sharp cheddar and mix well until it melts. Add the noodles to the sauce and mix well until evenly coated.

  • Pour into casserole and sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray and top and bake for about 25 minutes.

  • Place under the broiler a few minutes to get the crumbs crisp (careful not to burn).

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 /6th of casserole, Calories: 318 kcal, Carbohydrates: 34.3 g, Protein: 27.3 g, Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 34 mg, Sodium: 660 mg, Fiber: 3.6 g, Sugar: 6 g

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Categories:

  • Budget Friendly Meals
  • Casseroles
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Egg Free Recipes
  • Fish Recipes
  • Freezer Meals
  • Gluten Free
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  • Pasta Recipes
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Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is tuna casserole made of? ›

Just stir tuna, cooked noodles, cream of mushroom soup and a few other pantry items in a baking dish, sprinkle with buttered bread crumbs and pop it into the oven.

Do you cook noodles before putting them in a casserole? ›

Do you cook the noodles before adding them to the casserole? Yes, you should cook the egg noodles until they're al dente before combining with the other ingredients.

Why is my tuna casserole so dry? ›

Tuna casserole can become dry due to overbaking or using an insufficient amount of sauce.

How do you moisten leftover tuna casserole? ›

Alternatively, Foods Guy recommends adding a splash of water or chicken stock to your casserole and covering it with plastic wrap before microwaving, which will add new moisture and lock in the steam, ensuring a perfectly moist reheated tuna casserole.

How do you thicken tuna casserole? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

Should you cook canned tuna? ›

Can you cook canned tuna? Canned tuna is actually already cooked before it's canned, so technically, you can eat it straight from the can if you want. However, you can add canned tuna to a dish that you're cooking to add some healthy protein. For instance, you can add canned tuna to a pot of mac and cheese.

Should you rinse pasta for a casserole? ›

The answer is simple: No, you should not rinse pasta. You should never rinse pasta, noodles, or macaroni if it is going to be added to a sauce and served.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Many casseroles seem to improve in flavour if kept overnight (cool them quickly and keep them in a refrigerator, by the way, once they're cold). This means it's quite possible to make two casseroles while the oven is in full swing, and keep one for the next day.

Should I cook my noodles in the sauce? ›

First, in authentic Italian cuisine, the sauce is always tossed with the pasta before it ever hits the plate. Just before the sauce is done cooking, the hot pasta is added to the saucepan. Generally speaking, we recommend cooking the pasta in the sauce together for about 1-2 minutes.

How many days can you eat tuna casserole? ›

Store your leftover tuna noodle casserole in a shallow, airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat thoroughly in the oven or in the microwave.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Covering a casserole helps the dish cook evenly, stay moist, and prevents burning. Uncovering helps with browning, crisping and allowing for steam to release.

How do you make a moist casserole? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

Can I eat tuna casserole that was left out overnight? ›

If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

How long is leftover tuna noodle casserole good for? ›

Store your leftover tuna casserole in a shallow, airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave.

How long can tuna noodle casserole sit out? ›

The "2-hour rule" states that perishables left at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded. If the food is being kept in an area that is 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius) or above, leftovers should be refrigerated to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) or below within one hour.

What is a casserole made out of? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What are casserole dishes made of? ›

“A casserole dish and a baking dish are the same thing, an oven-safe piece of cookware, usually made of ceramic, porcelain, or glass,” says Anthony Contrino, Emmy-awarded culinary producer and food stylist. "They can come in various shapes, with the most common being rectangular, oval, or square.

Where does tuna casserole come from? ›

That's why the tuna noodle casserole dish was so perfect in a time when people wanted a filling yet easy dish to please the whole family, even the pickiest of eaters. Tuna noodle casserole's origin is linked back to the Pacific Northwest in the 1930s, according to Taste.

What is actually in canned tuna? ›

A: Tunas belong to the fish species “Thunnus.” There are many species of tuna, but only three that are commonly found in cans or pouches: skipjack, yellowfin and albacore. Skipjack and yellowfin are considered “light meat” tunas and albacore is “white meat” tuna.

References

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