This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a perfect weeknight family meal that takes less than 1 hour to make. It’s straightforward to prepare and reheats well, so any leftovers will make for a convenient meal tomorrow.
You’ll love this classic recipe if you enjoy casseroles like Twice Baked Potato Casserole, Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole, and Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
This one’s great for a budget-friendly and kid-friendly meal. Plus. it’s really easy to put together and uses ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.
Leftovers? No problem. It stores and reheats well, so you can have tomorrow’s dinner ready without having to cook again. Plus, you can even freeze it for later.
And, if you have more tuna to use up, try these recipes for Tuna Macaroni Salad and Tuna Melt Quesadillas next.
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💛 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Straightforward ingredients you may already have on hand.
- Kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and high in protein.
- Comes together in less than 1 hour.
- Leftovers store really well.
➡️ Ingredients
⏲ How to make this easy tuna noodle casserole recipe
This is an overview of the recipe’s instructions. The full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles following the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, then set aside.
- Make Sauce: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add 2 cups of whole milk, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened into a sauce, which may take upwards of 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
Recipe Tip: You can cook the sauce simultaneously while the noodles cook, or cook them separately based on your preferences. Make sure not to use too small of a saucepan when making the sauce. A medium-sized pan will ensure that the sauce cooks evenly and thickens properly. I’ve made this sauce in a small saucepan before, and it takes a lot longer for it to thicken compared to when cooking it in a larger pan.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked noodles, drained tuna, prepared sauce, remaining 1 cup of whole milk, frozen peas, and shredded cheddar.
- Transfer Casserole Mixture To Baking Dish: Spread the noodle mixture in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar atop the casserole. Then, in a small bowl, microwave the butter until melted, then stir in the bread crumbs. Spoon that atop the cheese on the casserole.
- Bake: Bake the casserole until the top is golden brown, which should take about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before spooning out servings.
👉 Ingredient substitution suggestions
- Egg Noodles: Sub in elbow macaroni.
- Canned Tuna: Swap out for canned chicken or canned salmon.
- Frozen Peas: Substitute with other frozen vegetables like corn, carrots, or a mix.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Try other cheeses like mozzarella or Colby jack.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Regular bread crumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, crushed potato chips, or gluten-free panko can be used.
✨ Variations
- Add sautéed mushrooms to the casserole mixture for an earthy flavor.
- Include diced jalapeños or a dash of ground cayenne pepper in the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Top the casserole with crispy french fried onions in the last 5 minutes of baking for added crunch and flavor.
- Incorporate more vegetables like diced bell peppers, onions, and/or spinach for some added nutrients.
〰️ How to serve
- Salad — Serve alongside creamy dill cucumber onion salad.
- Veggies — Serve with baked sliced zucchini, golden baked jicama fries, or buttery whole roasted cauliflower.
- Bread — Pair casserole with a slice of garlic bread.
💬 FAQs
How should the tuna noodle casserole be stored and reheated?
Allow any of the leftover tuna casserole to cool then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, covered, stirring every 30-45 seconds until warmed throughout, or in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Add a splash of milk if the casserole seems dry.
Can tuna noodle casserole be frozen?
Yes, tuna noodle casserole can be frozen. Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as directed above, adding a little extra milk if needed. Note that the texture of the pasta and sauce may change slightly after freezing.
📚 More casserole recipes
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Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
Tuna Casserole:
- 16 ounces wide egg noodles
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk, divided
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cans (5 ounces each) canned tuna in water, drained
- 1 cup 133 grams frozen peas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Cook egg noodles following package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, then set aside.
- Make Sauce: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt butter (see note below). Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add 2 cups of whole milk, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened into a sauce, which may take upwards of 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooked noodles, drained tuna, prepared sauce, remaining 1 cup of whole milk, frozen peas, and shredded cheddar.
- Transfer Casserole Mixture To Baking Dish: Spread noodle mixture in prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar atop casserole. Then, in a small bowl, microwave butter until melted, then stir in bread crumbs. Spoon that atop the cheese on the casserole.
- Bake: Bake casserole until the top is golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve: Allow casserole to cool slightly before spooning out servings.
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