Tuna Noodle Casserole is the perfect comfort food recipe for a weekday dinner. This tuna casserole recipe is topped with cheese and crushed potato chips.
Tuna Casserole is a popular recipe that has been around forever! I remember eating it quite often when I was a kid, and even though I don’t really love tuna in anything else, I actually really like Tuna Casserole.
We love casseroles because they are easy to make, filling and are usually a one pan dinner! My house is usually pretty chaotic around dinnertime and it’s so nice to be able to stick one dish in the oven and have dinner ready less than 30 minutes later.
TUNA CASSEROLE
This popular casserole is made with egg noodles, canned tuna, frozen peas, cream of mushroom soup and a few spices to flavor all of it. Add some shredded cheddar and crushed potato chips on top for a little bit of crunch and lots of flavor too! All of the ingredients are assembled in a 9X13 baking dish and baked for about 25 minutes before serving.
INGREDIENTS IN TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
Wide egg noodles – You will need to cook 8 ounces of wide egg noodles. Cook, rinse and drain them before adding to the casserole.
Tuna – Drain a 9 ounce can of tuna and use a fork to flake the tuna apart into smaller pieces.
Frozen peas – You will need about ½ cup of frozen peas. Set them out for about 10-15 minutes to thaw before adding to the casserole.
Onion – Adding ½ cup of finely diced onion adds a lot of flavor to the recipe. I always buy diced onions from the frozen section of the grocery store and keep a stash in my freezer so I never have to chop onions!
Cream of mushroom soup – A can of condensed cream of mushroom soup to the casserole provides moisture and flavor.
Milk – You will need ½ cup of milk to help thin out the soup for the casserole.
Dijon mustard – A tablespoon of Dijon mustard adds a lot of flavor.
Garlic powder, black pepper and salt – Basic seasonings really amp up the flavor in the casserole.
Cheddar cheese – You will need to mix some shredded cheddar into the casserole, and then save some to sprinkle on the top.
Potato chips – Crushed potato chips go on top of the casserole. The ones with ridges are thicker and will provide more crunch without getting soggy while baking.
How to make Tuna Noodle Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
MIX THE INGREDIENTS
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles, drained tuna, thawed peas, and finely diced onion.
In a separate bowl, mix the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt to taste until well combined. Adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences.
Pour the seasoned soup mixture over the noodle, tuna, and onion mixture. Add ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and gently mix everything together until well coated.
ASSEMBLE THE CASSEROLE
Transfer the tuna and noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese.
Sprinkle the crushed potato chips over the top, covering the casserole in an even layer.
BAKE THE CASSEROLE
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the casserole is heated through, and the potato chip topping turns golden and crispy.
Once the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips:
- Make sure to drain the tuna thoroughly to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- Keep an eye on the casserole while baking. You want it to be heated through, the cheese melted, and the potato chip topping golden and crispy.
TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
Ingredients
- 8 ounces about 5 cups dry wide egg noodles, cooked according to package instructions til al dente
- 1 9-ounce can tuna, drained and flaked
- ½ cup frozen peas thawed
- ½ cup onion finely diced
- 1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cups ridged potato chips slightly crushed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
MIX THE INGREDIENTS
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles, drained tuna, thawed peas, and finely diced onion.
- In a separate bowl, mix the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt to taste until well combined. Adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences.
- Pour the seasoned soup mixture over the noodle, tuna, and onion mixture. Add ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and gently mix everything together until well coated.
ASSEMBLE THE CASSEROLE
- Transfer the tuna and noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese.
- Sprinkle the crushed potato chips over the top, covering the casserole in an even layer.
BAKE THE CASSEROLE
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the casserole is heated through, and the potato chip topping turns golden and crispy.
- Once the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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FAQs:
How can I make the casserole healthier?
To make the casserole healthier, consider using whole-grain noodles, reduced-fat cheese, and a low-sodium cream soup. You can also add more vegetables for extra nutrients, such as spinach, kale, or broccoli. Another option is to make a homemade cream sauce from scratch using healthier ingredients.
What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup or prefer not to use it, there are several alternatives. You can try using cream of celery or cream of chicken soup. Alternatively, make a homemade white sauce by combining butter, flour, milk, and seasonings – this option allows you to control the flavor and ingredients to your liking.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftover tuna noodle casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions or place the entire dish, covered with foil, in a preheated oven at 350°F until heated through. To avoid overcooking the delicate noodles, stir the casserole and check for temperature.
What type of noodles to use in tuna casserole?
The recipe calls for wide egg noodles, but you can use other pasta shapes like macaroni, penne, or bowties. Just be sure to cook them according to the package instructions.
What can I serve with Tuna Casserole?
This casserole can be a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with some of our favorite sides. This casserole pairs perfectly with our 30 Minute Dinner Rolls and Fancy Fruit Salad. And don’t forget dessert! Everyone always loves Oreo Krispie Treats or Chocolate Chip Cookies.
What are the best variations of tuna noodle casserole?
There are many ways to customize tuna noodle casserole to suit your taste preferences. You can try adding different vegetables, like diced bell peppers, corn, or carrots. For a unique twist, swap out the cheddar cheese for a different kind, such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Swiss. You can also experiment with various toppings, using crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or even French fried onions instead of potato chips.
What other mix-ins can I add to the casserole?
Feel free to get creative! Some ideas for mix-ins include diced cooked ham or chicken, crumbled cooked bacon, or sliced mushrooms. You can also add herbs and spices, such as parsley, dill, or cayenne pepper, to suit your taste preferences.
Can I make this recipe ahead and freeze it?
Yes, you can make this casserole ahead and freeze it for a convenient weeknight meal. Prepare the casserole without adding the potato chip topping and allow it to cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil before placing in the freezer. To cook from frozen, preheat the oven to 375°F, place the frozen casserole in a baking dish, and bake covered with foil for about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover, stir, and add the cheese and crushed chips before continuing to bake until the casserole is heated through.
MORE CASSEROLE RECIPES TO TRY:
- BROCCOLI CHEDDAR CASSEROLE
- BEEF ENCHILADA CASSEROLE
- SLOPPY JOE CASSEROLE
- BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE
- CHICKEN FAJITA CASSEROLE
- CHEESY WILD RICE CASSEROLE
- CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE
- SOUTHWEST TATER TOT CASSEROLE
- PIZZA PASTA CASSEROLE
- TACO CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
- TWICE BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
Tuna Noodle Casserole is the perfect comfort food recipe for a weekday dinner. This tuna casserole recipe is topped with cheese and crushed potato chips.
Melodie Freund says
I have not made this recipe yet but it is very similar to the casserole I grew up on. When I made it for my kids, I found out my youngest likes it made with cheddar and sour cream ridged chips.