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Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe Easy Homemade Classic Comfort Dinner

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A creamy, cheesy, and light tuna noodle casserole perfect for quick and comforting weeknight dinners using pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) wide egg noodles
  • 2 cans (5 ounces / 140g each, drained) solid white tuna in water
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces / 300g) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • ½ cup (50g) breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for sauce thickening)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook until just al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add cream of mushroom soup and continue stirring until sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add more milk if sauce is too thick.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked noodles, drained tuna, frozen peas, and the creamy sauce. Stir gently to combine. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, reserving the rest for topping.
  6. Pour mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then scatter breadcrumbs.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook noodles initially to avoid mushiness after baking. Use fresh sharp cheddar cheese for better melting and flavor. Salt pasta water generously. For a crunchy topping, toss breadcrumbs with melted butter before sprinkling. Sauce can be made from scratch for better flavor and lower sodium. Leftovers reheat best on stovetop with a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: tuna noodle casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, casserole, weeknight meal, creamy casserole, cheesy casserole