Gather round the dinner table for this meal. Tuna Casserole with Egg Noodles is classic comfort food!. Tender egg noodles and mushroom soup mixed with albacore tuna, combined with shredded cheese, sliced mushrooms and fresh peas. Baked until hot and bubbly with a crunchy golden brown topping
There are many great casserole recipes on the blog, be sure to put the King Ranch Chicken Casserole on the menu for this week! It's like a cheesy chicken enchilada without all the fussy prep!
Jump to:
🧡 Why you'll love this recipe
This delicious Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe is pure comfort food! It's made using simple pantry ingredients that you keep on-hand.
Everyone needs a simple recipe like this to put together because it's all about pantry staples. It's a great meal when you don't know what to cook and don't feel like going to the store. Look in your pantry and refrigerator, I bet you'll have everything you need!
The end result is an easy tuna casserole recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights meals!
Ingredients
You'll only need a handful of simple ingredients. For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- flaky tuna, you'll need 2 cans of tuna fish - you can substitute canned chicken, that will be terrific as well.
- wide or medium egg noodles are the traditional choice, but you can use other types of pasta; penne, rigatoni or elbow macaroni would be delicious as well.
- mushroom cream soup - cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup can be substituted.
- mushrooms - I used canned mushrooms, but you can also use fresh mushrooms. You can also omit them and this classic tuna noodle casserole will still be delicious!
- shredded cheddar cheese and parmesan - substitute Colby, or pepper jack, super yummy! You could substitute pecorino if parmesan cheese isn't available.
- frozen peas are best!
- half & half - you can substitute whole milk or even evaporated milk, that would make it super creamy!
- bread crumbs - panko bread crumbs will make the topping super crispy - yum! You can also use Italian bread crumbs for crispy flavor.
Instructions
This is an overview, for detailed instructions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Cook noodles according to package directions to al dente.
- In a large bowl, mix together the soup, milk, mushrooms and tuna making a creamy sauce.
- Fold in the noodles and cheese into the cream sauce, pour the tuna mixture into a baking dish, add the bread crumb mixture to the top, melt butter and drizzle on top of the casserole.
- Bake the cheesy tuna casserole in the oven, finish under the broiler.
How easy is that? A pantry meal that's delicious and doesn't break the bank - gotta love that!
Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- These mixing bowls - I have two sets and use them daily!
- I have two sets of measuring spoons. I like these because they fit in the spice jars.
- 9x13-inch baking dish - this one has great handles, making it easy to handle when hot.
🙋♀️ FAQ's
Bread crumbs - store-bought or homemade, whatever you have! What, no bread crumbs? Substitute with potato chips, crushed pretzels or a can of fried onions.
You can easily make your own bread crumbs using stale bread, rolls or croissants. Just give them a rough chop and blitz them in the food processor.
Bake covered for the first 30 minutes - uncover and finish by browning under the broiler.
I recommend solid white albacore tuna packed in water, certainly use the tuna product you and your family enjoy most!
Tips
- Cheddar, Monterey Jack or ? Use your favorite cheese!
- Cook the noodles to al dente so the noodles don't get mushy after baking.
- Make in advance - Prepare the casserole up to a day before. Wait to add the topping until you're ready to bake.
- Double this classic recipe and freeze a second casserole. An easy dinner tonight or the days you don't want to cook!
- Save a cup of pasta water or se it or a cup of milk. Add it sparingly as you combine the mixture to make sure the mixture is super saucy before baking. Nobody likes dry casseroles!
Make in advance - prepare the casserole as directed but do not add the topping. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the bread crumbs then bake until hot and bubbly!
Variations
This is just the BEST Tuna Casserole and you can have fun making it your own.
- Top the noodle casserole recipe with crushed potato chips, crushed ritz crackers or French fried onions - yum!!
- Spice it up with a healthy pinch of red pepper flakes or a couple dashes of hot sauce. Substitute chicken for tuna, that's an option too!
- You can use any of the creamed canned soups in this recipe.
- Sautéed onions and mushrooms is a great addition to the tuna noodle casserole recipe.
Storage
Refrigerator - This from scratch Tuna Noodle Casserole keeps in the refrigerator up to three days. Refrigerate leftovers in a food storage container.
Freezer - Store in an airtight container, or wrap well with aluminum foil. It freezes wonderfully as well, up to three months.
Reheat - you can reheat leftover tuna casserole in the microwave but my preference is baking so the top re-crisps (that's a word, right?!!). It will take a few more minutes to reheat out of the refrigerator - plan on baking 30-35 minutes.
Video
Click on the image to watch this fun video and see me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).
Click here to watch the full video on YouTube.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
Are you wondering what to serve with tuna casserole? Find over a hundred ideas here!
- This is the best tuna noodle casserole recipe! It's a rich dish, so serving steamed Brussels sprouts balances it with its simple, fresh flavor.
- 3 ingredient steamed green beans - super delicious, it takes just minutes to make!
- This one is a favorite! Braised Swiss Chard - buttery, savory - SO GOOD! Sauté on the stovetop while the casserole is baking!
- Southern Style Green Beans - loaded with bacon, onions and garlic- isn't your ordinary side dish - YUM!
SERVE GREAT MEALS EVERY TIME! 👇
Related Recipes
The blog is filled with easy recipes! Next time try Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole or this recipe for Chicken and Broccoli Pasta - yummy one pot meals that are quick and easy to make!
- Loaded Baked Potato Casserole - easy to make this can be a side or main dish! I just love these tasty potatoes!
- Everyone loves this recipe for Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole! It's filled with big beefy and flavor and super easy to make and hello.... tater tots!
- Vegetable Casserole - loaded with vegetables topped with sauce and cheese, this one is delicious!
- Even your pickiest eaters will love this recipe! This ground beef casserole has a tomato cheese base and it's so simple to make - family favorite!
- Philly Cheesesteak Baked Tortellini Casserole, easy to make and a real crowd pleaser, this is always on the menu!
- Tamale Pie - an easy Tex-Mex casserole dish everyone loves!
- This recipe for baked pasta primavera is packed with vegetables and perfect for spring and summer!
I bet you'll enjoy this for dinner, it's the perfect meal! If you post a photo, please tag me! I'd love to see the photo of your Tuna and Noodle Casserole!
You can tag me with #bowlmeover or if you're on Instagram use @bowl_me_over I can't wait to see how yummy this turned out for you!
Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces egg noodles regular or whole wheat egg noodles can be used.
- 10 ounces tuna packed in water, well drained - two cans
- 7 ounces sliced mushrooms one can, well drained
- 21 ounces cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken canned soup - you'lll need two cans.
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups cheese shredded
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- ¾ cup dry bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon butter divided
- 2 tablespoon parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Boil egg noodles until just al dente (the package called for 7-8 minutes I boiled them for 6) in salted water. Drain well
- Butter the baking dish using 1 tablespoon butter.
- Drain the tuna and flake. Drain the mushrooms. Shred the cheese.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the mushroom soup with the half and half.
- Add the cooked noodles, tuna, mushrooms, peas, and cheese to the mushroom sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Mix everything together well and pour it into the prepared casserole dish.
- Top with bread crumbs and drizzle the remaining melted butter over the crunchy topping. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and place under the broiler for 3-4 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Karen
I love your casseroles; especially with pasta.
tyvm, Karen
Rob
Could u include a temperature at which to bake
Bowl Me Over
Rob the temperature is in the recipe card, the full instructions at the bottom of the post. It's 350 degrees.
Sarah K.
Best tip for making tuna casserole…
-Make a béchamel cream sauce instead of using canned soup
-Also cook the noodles first…al dente @2min before what the package says
Bowl Me Over
That sounds delicious Sarah! Do you add cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese to your béchamel sauce? I'm sure that would make an amazing creamy sauce. Definitely going to give that a try next time. Thank you!
Erika
I didn't have mushrooms or soup so I made my own amazing sauce. I just used Greek yogurt, canned milk, 2 bullion cubes, cornstarch to thicken, cheddar cheese and added some garlic. It was amazing wasn't even missing the mushrooms. I'm also gluten free and kinda poor so I just used small rice noodles in my cupboard. Wow amazing also. It turned out very creamy and rich. Much better than my moms dry tuna casserole growing up. This has changed my perspective on this dish for the better, thank you!
Bowl Me Over
Wow, that sounds fabulous Erika!! I always think having canned evaporated milk on hand saves the day. What a wonderful combination you put together. GREAT job!!
Theresa Krier
Hi, we like to add a little bit of cream cheese and top it with crushed Ritz crackers instead of bread crumbs. Thank you !
Bowl Me Over
Ooh! What a great tip Karen, the buttery Ritz crackers added to the top of the casserole adds great flavor and a yummy crunchy topping!
Sharon
I like to add in a bit of cream cheese chive and onion spreadable for extra flavor and texture.
Bowl Me Over
That's a tasty tip Sharon - the cream cheese really turns it into a cheesy noodle casserole, yum!
April Kofler
I loved my grandma's tuna casserole growing up. I know she added peas and cream of mushroom soup. She used bread crumbs on hers and mt grandpa used potato chips or crackers on his. I don't know why I don't make it myself. I think I will have to make this
Bowl Me Over
Enjoy April I think this is just the best tuna casserole! I love Grandpa's version with a potato chip topping. That really sounds amazing. Great tip!
Kesha
I love tuna casserole. I sometimes will add chicken broth if my tuna casserole seems dry. Just a little tip. Thank you for such a great recipe.
Bowl Me Over
The addition of chicken broth is really a great tip Kesha! Creamy sauce is a must, that's for sure. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Cynthia Klein
I haven't made tuna casserole in a long time. I used organic condensed mushroom soup by Pacific, fresh shitake mushrooms, and I didn't have peas so I used some fresh red and green pepper cut ut into small pieces. My husband said it was the best tuna casserole he's ever eaten. I did half of the recipe which is enough for 4 servings. I imagine adding more spices next time.
Bowl Me Over
That sounds fantastic Cynthia! Thank you so much for stopping by the blog and trying the recipe. It's just the best and I love your additions - YUM!!! I appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment. Thank you and have an amazing day!
Terrie
I don't know what went wrong ,but I made this recipe and neither my husband or I liked it I will stay with my old recipe for Tuna casserole
Bowl Me Over
I'm sorry. you didn't like the flavor Terrie and appreciate your feedback.
Billie
my sweet mother made this when I was a child, she always added English peas and boiled eggs to hers. thank you for this long-forgotten recipe, I'll have this for lunch tomorrow.
Bowl Me Over
Ooh the boiled eggs sounds like a delicious addition, I'm going to add that next time I make this! Thank you Billie, I hope you really enjoy this recipe!
Jen
Hey! I'm excited to try this. It says 6 oz egg noodles. Am I reading that right? Less than a cup? That seems like too little. And is that the amount cooked or uncooked? Thanks!
Bowl Me Over
Eek Jen - great catch! Yes that is 16 oz. of noodles, cooked to al dente! Thank you so much for your help!!
mariatheresa micallef
excuse my ignorance, but i cannot understand what you mean by ingredient: '1 1/4 half and half '...as in half and half of what?
Bowl Me Over
I'm sorry Maria, great question, I will update the instructions! Half and half is blend of equal parts whole milk and light cream. It's sold in the supermarkets in the milk/cream section and is listed as Half and Half.
M
Half and half is milk/cream like thing. Its called “half and half” if you go to the store , just ask for “half and half” theyll direct you.
LaQuana
Delicious recipe! My whole family loved it. We're not mushroom folks so I used 1 can of cream of chicken and 1 can of cheddar cheese soups. The creamy texture turned out amazing. Thanks for this quick and easy meal!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful! Thanks for swinging back and letting me know. Your swap out sounds just delicious!
Liza
What can make anyone feel better than some hearty comfort food! Loving this recipe! Creamy, dreamy - I must make it ASAP! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Yes!! Gotta love a good comforting meal, thank you!
Jennifer Stewart
I grew up eating this when I went to my grandparent's house. The only thing is that she didn't add peas and now I am feeling so jipped! I love pea and the creamy comfort of egg noodles!
Bowl Me Over
Grandma's recipes are always the best! 😀 I'm glad it brings back good memories!
Michele
I love tuna casserole! This has a slightly different take on it that my regular one, but Im looking forward to trying this! Ive never thought of freezing it! Thats a great idea!
Bowl Me Over
I love those easy meals that you pull outa the pantry or freezer - enjoy Michele!!
Marie
I mixed the panko bread crumbs with the melted butter & Parmesan cheese. Putting the casserole under the broiler at the end was delicious & a nice golden color. Delicious.
Michaela Kenkel
Tuna casserole is on our menu once a month - yours looks really yummy. My kids would love the peas!!
Bowl Me Over
I love tuna casserole too - so easy to make and so good!
Sandra Shaffer
Comfort food is in order for lots of reasons, but certainly because surgery is on the horizon! Tempting to eat this whole tuna casserole on my own! Love the broiling method for those golden brown bits!
Bowl Me Over
I know right? Somebody hand me a spoon! 🙂
Liza
This recipes is so easy, yet I'm sure it's SO yummy! I LOVE all that cheese in it! All this goodness with a bit of veggies and some noodles! A must-make asap!
Bowl Me Over
Easy and delicious - great comfort food!
Lois
This looks like a great meal and so very easy and tasty.
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Lois - I hope you really enjoy it!
Dan from Platter Talk
I grew up with tuna casserole and I've never seen a better looking one than your recipe here. I especially love your use of mushrooms; what a perfect addition!
Bowl Me Over
Super yummy and great comfort food - enjoy!
Shelley Still
Made this today and it was very good! Thank you for sharing. I love the patm on tope. I added a little in the mix and a dash of sour cream . Why? I guess I was thought of the "older" version. Very good recipe.
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Shelley, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe. And that sour cream addition sounds rich and delicious, YUM!
Camden Rusincovitch
I absolutely love this tuna noodle casserole! I really liked the suggestion to add sauteed onions and mushrooms-- what kind of mushrooms would you recommend for this?