There’s something downright magical about a bubbling, golden casserole coming out of the oven on a busy weeknight, and this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the embodiment of cozy, fuss-free comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly nostalgic, it brings together tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, and sweet peas, all wrapped in a savory, lightly crisped topping. Whether you’re serving a hungry family or craving classic flavors yourself, this is the kind of dish that feels as good as it tastes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how just a handful of simple ingredients can come together to create such satisfying flavor. Every element of this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole plays a crucial role, whether it’s lending creaminess, a salty bite, a pop of color, or irresistible crunch.
- Egg noodles (12 ounces, cooked and drained): The soft, curly pasta acts as the heart of the casserole, perfectly soaking up all the sauce.
- Canned tuna (2 cans, 5 ounces each, in water): Drained and flaked, tuna gives the dish protein and that classic briny flavor.
- Cream of mushroom soup (one 10.5-ounce can): This is the creamy backbone; it adds depth and ties the ingredients together beautifully.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): Offers just the right amount of tang and velvet-like texture that keeps everything rich but not heavy.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Loosens the sauce and helps get everything evenly coated.
- Frozen peas (1 cup, thawed): Brightens up the dish with color and sweetness in every bite.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup): Melts into a layer of gooey, savory goodness that no tuna noodle casserole should be without.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): For a gentle whisper of savory aroma and flavor.
- Onion powder (1/2 teaspoon): Deepens the flavor without adding any texture.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): Brings all the seasonings to life and accentuates the creamy base.
- Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup): Responsible for that crave-worthy golden topping.
- Butter (2 tablespoons, melted): Ensures a rich, crispy crust on top of your Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole.
How to Make Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Kitchen
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This step is key for a perfectly baked, easy-to-serve casserole later on, and it gives you a minute to get all your ingredients ready for assembly.
Step 2: Mix Up That Creamy Filling
Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in the cooked egg noodles, drained and flaked tuna, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, thawed peas, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the noodles are beautifully coated in the creamy, cheesy mixture. This ensures every scoop is flavorful and evenly mixed.
Step 3: Build the Casserole
Scoop the combined filling into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out nice and even so you get a good balance of noodles and tuna in every slice. Smooth the top gently with a spatula, making it ready for that irresistible topping.
Step 4: Add the Buttery Crunch
In a small bowl, mix your breadcrumbs with the melted butter until all those little crumbs are glossy and ready to crisp up in the oven. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over your casserole—this is what transforms it into the classic Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole you know and love.
Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden
Slide the casserole into your hot oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you see golden brown breadcrumbs on top and bubbling, creamy goodness peeking at the edges. A short 5-minute rest lets the flavors settle and makes serving easy (while the anticipation builds!).
How to Serve Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Garnishes
Add a dash of green and extra zest with fresh chopped parsley or chives just before serving. A sprinkle of extra shredded cheddar or even a light dash of crushed red pepper flakes gives every plate a personal touch—it’s the little things that make your casserole feel like it came from the heart.
Side Dishes
This casserole truly shines next to a crisp, refreshing salad (think mixed greens tossed with a touch of lemon vinaigrette). Fluffy dinner rolls or a hunk of crusty bread are always welcome for scooping up that creamy sauce. Want more veggies? Try a side of roasted broccoli or steamed green beans for complementary color and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform your Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole into individual ramekins or mini muffin tins for party-ready portions. For a weeknight twist, spoon leftovers into a hollowed-out bell pepper and bake again until tender. Serving casserole in colorful serving dishes or atop a wooden cutting board adds a little extra warmth to your table and invites everyone to dig in together.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply let your casserole cool to room temperature, then cover tightly or transfer to airtight containers. It keeps well in the fridge for up to three days, retaining its creaminess without losing flavor.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap individual portions or the whole casserole (unbaked or baked) tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole freezes beautifully for up to two months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, bake covered at 350°F until warmed through, about 20 minutes, or microwave single portions for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle a bit of extra cheese or a drizzle of milk before reheating to restore moisture and that just-baked freshness!
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of noodle?
Absolutely! While egg noodles give this casserole its classic texture, rotini, penne, or even shells work wonderfully. Just make sure to cook them al dente, as they’ll soften a bit during baking.
Is there a way to lighten up this recipe?
You can use light sour cream, reduced-fat cheese, and 1% milk to cut some calories. Swapping in Greek yogurt for sour cream is another tasty trick that keeps things creamy but lighter.
Can I make Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the entire casserole a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve—just allow a few extra minutes of baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
What can I substitute for the cream of mushroom soup?
Cream of chicken soup works perfectly if you’re not big on mushrooms. For a homemade touch, you can make your own creamy base with sautéed mushrooms and a simple roux of butter, flour, and milk.
How do I avoid a soggy casserole?
Be sure to drain the tuna and cooked noodles thoroughly. Also, use thawed (not frozen) peas to avoid adding extra liquid. This will keep your Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole piping hot and wonderfully creamy, never watery.
Final Thoughts
I can’t think of a more satisfying, family-friendly meal than Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole—simple, creamy, and sure to bring everyone around the dinner table. If you haven’t made it lately, now’s the time to bring back this classic with your own personal spin. Dive in and enjoy every comforting bite!
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Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that comes together quickly for a delicious family meal. Creamy and flavorful, it’s a perfect balance of pasta, tuna, and savory seasonings, topped with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
Main Casserole:
- 12 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained
- 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna in water, drained and flaked
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Top Crust:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine noodles, tuna, soup, sour cream, milk, peas, cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Layer and bake: Spread mixture in the baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use cream of chicken soup as a substitute.
- Enhance with sautéed mushrooms or diced celery for added flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
