This Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole comes together in just under 35 minutes and requires very few ingredients, making it perfect for weeknight dinners!
🗒️ In This Post
You’ll love this Tuna Casserole too!
I know, I know this is not a Mexican dish but this recipe has been a family favorite for years! It’s so good I have to share it with you and can’t keep it a secret. You’re welcome!
Why I love it so much?
- It’s Budget-friendly: all you need is some canned tuna, noodles, and a few other ingredients so it won’t break the bank.
- Comforting and filling! There’s nothing like digging into a warm, cheesy casserole when you’re hungry. And it’s perfect for leftovers – just pop it in the fridge and reheat it for an easy dinner option. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
- It’s a crowd-pleaser Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or a potluck with friends, everyone loves a good casserole. And since it’s so easy to make, you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing it.
To get it just perfect, I sauté the onions in butter, use milk & a big can of cream of mushroom soup to make it super creamy.
I like to serve it with a simple salad and a refreshing drink like Agua De Melon or this Hibiscus drink.
I hope you give it a try and please let me know how much you like it!
🩷 xoxo, Ana
**This post was originally published on Sept 2012. It has been updated to be more helpful.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s go over the ingredients you’ll need to make it. This recipe requires very few pantry ingredients.
- The noodles: Egg noodles are my go to pasta for this casserole but rotini pasta works well as a backup.
- Chopped onion: white or yellow will work.
- Unsalted butter
- Shredded Cheddar cheese
- Frozen green peas
- The tuna: I prefer white tuna in water such as Albacore Tuna but use dark meat if that’s what you like.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Milk (2%, whole or your favorite milk)
- Kosher Salt and black pepper
How to make Tuna Noodle Casserole:
- Start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) Spray with cooking spray a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Then cook the noodles: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Add a pinch of salt and the egg noodles. Cook for 8-12 minutes or until it’s al dente (firm but not too hard).
- Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a small skillet and cook the onions with the butter until the onions are soft .
Make sure not to burn the onions!
- In medium bowl, add all of the remaining ingredients (reserve 1/2 cup of cheese for the topping) and mix well.
- When the pasta is ready, drain and transfer to a casserole. Add the tuna mixture and mix until combined well.
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the top begins to brown.
Variations
While the classic recipe for tuna noodle casserole is delicious as is, there are plenty of variations you can try to mix things up. Here are some ideas:
- Swap out the egg noodles for a different type of pasta, like penne or rotini.
- Use a different type of condensed soup, like cream of chicken or cream of celery.
- Add in some extra veggies, like chopped carrots or sliced mushrooms.
- Experiment with different types of cheese, like mozzarella or pepper jack.
- For a crunchy topping, try using crushed potato chips, French fried onions or breadcrumbs.
Ana’s Recipe Tips
- Be sure to drain the canned tuna well to avoid excess moisture.
- If you don’t have frozen peas on hand, you can use canned peas or another type of frozen veggie, like corn or green beans.
- If you want to make this recipe ahead of time, you can assemble the casserole, cover the dish and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat just bake as directed.
- How to Store & Reheat
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags for up to three months.
- Reheating
- The best way to reheat your casserole is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the casserole in an oven-safe dish. Add a little milk to bring out the creaminess again. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until heated through.
- If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to reheat the casserole in the oven, you can also use the microwave. Transfer a serving of your casserole to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, then stir the casserole and continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until it is heated through.
Print Recipe:
Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
This Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole comes together in just under 35 minutes and requires very few ingredients, making it perfect for weeknight dinners!
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 452kcal
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz package egg noodles
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 2 6 oz cans tuna, drained - preferably white tuna in water
- 1 26 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk (2%, whole or your favorite milk)
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher Salt (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray with cooking spray a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for about 10 to 12 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.1 12 oz package egg noodles
- In a small skillet, over medium heat, add the 2 tablespoons of butter. When the butter has melted, saute the ¼ cup onions until soft and translucent. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except the noodles (Note: reserve ½ cup of cheese to add on top of the casserole). Add the noodles and mix thoroughly.
- Transfer mix to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Serve while hot.
Your Private Notes
Nutrition
Serving: 2cups | Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1502mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g
I am just assuming that you pour the breadcrumb mixture on top of the casserole after you put the cheese on it and before you put it in the oven?
We just had the most delicious tuna noodle casserole! This recipe beats any others that come to mind. Maybe it’s the addition of the sautéed onions and cheese.
Easy prep! Fantastic! My husband couldn’t stop eating it!
Since there are only two of us at home, we will enjoy wonderful left overs.
Thanks, Ana. Another winner!
This Tuna Casserole turned out amazing! So glad I made this one.
Can tuna casserole really be this good? Was surprised to see this on Muy Delish as it’s very traditional and pretty ordinary so hard to do much with. If you like tuna casserole you will love this. If you aren’t a tuna casserole fan you may become one after trying this!
Hi Ana! I can’t wait to make this dish! Would you know how many calories are in each serving? Thank you! Great website and thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi K! I honestly didn’t keep track of the calories in this recipe since I know they’re not on the low side. Usually when the fat content is a little high I try to make my portions smaller or try to have this dish for my “cheat” meal lol!. Thanks for stopping by! xoxo
OMG! This looks amazing!
I think I know what I want for dinner tonight.
Hi Andie! I hope you got to make it! It’s so easy and so good! Have a great weekend! xo