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Classic Tuna Casserole

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Classic Tuna Casserole is an old fashioned meal that is not only simple to make, but it’s also ready for the oven in 15 minutes!

What can be more irresistible than noodles in a creamy sauce. Casseroles are what my dreams are made of!

A small serving of Tuna Noodle Casserole on a white plate.
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Health Benefits of Tuna

Tuna is a salt water fish, this tasty fish is a great source of vitamin B12 and omega 3’s. Who knew you could get so many health benefits from a dish as delicious as this casserole.

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Why I Love This Recipe

Tuna Casserole is simple to make, and the creamy noodles are perfect for picky eaters.

  • Ready in under 35 minutes
  • Easy to make
  • Perfect for picky eaters
  • Fills the house with a delicious aroma

If you love easy noodle casseroles, you will enjoy my easy lasagna casserole. This recipe is always a hit with my entire family. If your family likes fish, you should also try my Air Fryer Parmesan Cod.

A horizontal overhead shot of tuna noodle casserole on a white plate with a fork on each side.

Ingredients

This recipe needs a couple handful of ingredients, but you most likely already have most of them on hand. If you need to make a grocery store run, it won’t be for much.

  • egg noodles
  • tuna packed in water
  • onion chopped small
  • celery
  • garlic, minced
  • butter
  • peas, frozen
  • Cream of Mushroom soup
  • whole milk
  • cheddar cheese
  • salt
  • crushed cornflakes
  • melted butter
  • cheddar cheese
  • parsley
Ingredients needed to make a Tuna Noodle casserole in individual cups, saucers, and bowls.

Substitutions

Cream of Mushroom: Don’t like cream of mushroom? You can use cream of potato or cream of celery instead, or any substitute for cream of mushroom soup.

Peas: Have a family member that hates peas? Feel free to leave them out.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a few simple tools to help you get this classic dinner on the table quickly.

How to Make Classic Tuna Casserole

This recipe is so simple to make and comes together in just 6 easy steps. You can have this hearty casserole on the table in 35 minutes.

Step 1: Preheat your oven

Preheat the oven to 375 and grease a 13×9 casserole pan.

Step 2: Cook your noodles

Boil water for egg noodles. Cook noodles for 6 minutes or half the package directions time, drain and rinse
with cold water.

Step 3: Prepare your vegetables

Chop your vegetables then melt the butter in a skillet and add onion, celery and garlic. Cook the vegetables until they are tender crisp. Salt to taste.

An iron skillet with chopped onion and celery being cooked.

Step 4: Mix your casserole filling

In a large bowl, combine tuna, soup, milk, cheddar cheese, peas, cooked
vegetables, noodles and salt. Pour into the prepared baking pan, making an even layer.

Baking pan with combined tuna, soup, milk, cheddar cheese, peas, cookedvegetables, noodles and salt in it.

Step 5: Make your topping

Combine cornflakes, cheddar cheese and parsley in a bowl. Add melted butter and
mix until everything is coated.

A bowl with combined cornflakes, cheddar cheese and parsley to make the topping.

Step 6: Bake your tuna casserole

Top the casserole with buttery cornflake topping and put it in the oven for 20 minutes, or
until golden brown. Serve immediately with a little fresh cheddar and parsley for garnish.

A baking pan with the noodle mixture topped with the buttery cornflake topping.

Variations / Options / Add-Ins

Looking for ways to make this recipe your own? Here are some suggestions for you.

Ritz Crackers: Change up your crust by using crushed Ritz crackers instead of cornflakes.

Chicken: Don’t like tuna? Use canned chicken instead.

A closeup of a ladle with tuna noodle with the remaining noodles blurred at the background.

Serving Suggestions

Looking for ideas on how to serve this Tuna Casserole? Here is how I like to serve it.

My favorite way to serve tuna fish casserole is by serving it with a side salad, or some crusty bread. You can serve this old fashioned dinner with any vegetable side that your family enjoys.

A vertical image showing a part of the tuna noodle casserole in the upper left corner and a small serving on a white plate in the lower right corner.

FAQs

Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about Classic Tuna Casserole.

How to store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How to reheat

Reheat leftovers in the microwave on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes or until the leftovers are warm all the way through.

Can I freeze?

Yes, Tuna Casserole makes for a great freezer meal, and you can store this casserole in the freezer for up to three months.

A horizontal image of a serving of the tuna noodle, with forks in each side and another serving in the background.

More Casserole Recipes

If you like casserole recipes, give these recipes a try:

Ready to get cooking? Print off the recipe card below or toggle on Cook Mode to keep your screen from going dark while you follow along on your phone or tablet.

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📋 Recipe

Classic Tuna Casserole

Corinne Schmitt
Classic Tuna Casserole is an old fashioned meal that is quick and easy to make!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 478 kcal

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Equipment

  • 9×13 casserole dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package egg noodles
  • 2 cans tuna packed in water
  • 1 small onion chopped small
  • 2-3 Stalks celery
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup peas frozen
  • 1 10 1/2 ounce Cream of Mushroom soup
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Cornflake topping

  • 1 cup crushed cornflakes
  • 1-2 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon parsley

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 and grease a 13×9 pan.
  • Boil water for egg noodles.
  • Chop vegetables.
  • Cook noodles for 6 minutes or half the package directions time, drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Melt butter in a skillet and add onion, celery and garlic. Cook until tender crisp. Salt to taste.
  • In a large bowl, combine tuna, soup, milk, cheddar cheese, peas, cooked vegetables, noodles and salt.
  • Pour into prepared pan making an even layer.
  • Combine cornflakes, cheddar cheese and parsley in a bowl. Add melted butter and mix until everything is coated.
  • Top casserole with buttery cornflake topping and put into oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Serve immediately with a little fresh cheddar and parsley for garnish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 478kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 26gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 1085mgPotassium: 429mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1142IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 219mgIron: 11mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!

A collage of 2 images of Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole. Top part shows a ladle with a tuna noodle in it, bottom part shows a serving on white plate.

2 thoughts on “Classic Tuna Casserole”

  1. 5 stars
    This is an easy tuna casserole – just like I remember it from childhood. I had to leave the celery out due to my DIL who doesn’t like celery. But it would have even better with it. I think it would also be really good as an “after turkey day” casserole using leftover turkey. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
    • I’m so glad this casserole brought back memories for you. That’s one thing I love about recipes – that you can modify them to meet the dietary needs of your family. That’s a good idea to put turkey in it after Thanksgiving. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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