Tuna Noodle Casserole

This Tuna Noodle Casserole is made from scratch with a simple mushroom cream sauce and a buttery cracker crust. It's better than you remember and ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings (2 cups each)
Calories 486 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the topping:

  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 35 Ritz crackers smashed into fine crumbs (1 sleeve, see note 1)

For the casserole:

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (see note 2)
  • 8 ounces egg noodles (about 3 cups, see note 3)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 10 ounces white button mushrooms trimmed and sliced thin, optional (see note 4)
  • 1 onion minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 (7-ounce) foil pouches solid white tuna flaked (see note 5)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions
 

  • To make the topping, in a small bowl, add crackers crumbs and melted butter and toss to coat. Set aside.
  • To make the casserole, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Bring 4 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to boil. Add egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain well.
  • Meanwhile, In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter until foaming. Add mushrooms, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until mushrooms are browned and their liquid has evaporated, about 15 minutes.
  • Add peas, tuna, parsley, broth, and cream. Bring to simmer, about 10 minutes. Add cooked noodles and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Do not skip this step or your casserole may be bland!
  • Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the crumbs are golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Video

Notes

  1. Ritz crackers: Smash 'em up and drown them in butter. Bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, or saltine crackers make good substitutes.
  2. Salt and pepper: Seasoning during different stages of cooking makes sure the flavor is there with every bite. Especially with creamy casseroles! You want to add some salt to the sauce to keep it from tasting bland.
  3. Egg noodles: Tender egg noodles provide just the right texture in the casserole, and they cook fast too. Feel free to use any other pasta (especially macaroni) instead.
  4. Mushrooms: Hate mushrooms? Just leave 'em out. 
  5. Tuna: Use your favorite brand (canned or in a pouch) of water-packed tuna.
  6. Yield: This recipe makes about 12 cups of casserole, about 6 (2-cup) servings.
  7. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  8. Make ahead: Get the casserole assembled up to 2 days before you plan to serve it. Just cover it and store in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, add the cracker topping and pop it in the oven.
  9. Freezer: Assemble the unbaked casserole and wrap tight with foil or plastic wrap. Then place in the freezer for 1 to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking as directed in the recipe.
  10. Salmon noodle casserole: An equal amount of canned salmon takes the recipe in another delicious direction.
  11. Chicken noodle casserole: Leftover rotisserie chicken is a great replacement for those who don't like fish.
  12. More vegetables: Add or substitute frozen carrots, corn, or sliced scallions. Just make sure whatever vegetable you add is already soft (cooked).
  13. Cheesy: For a melty treat, fold in 1 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese into the casserole before pouring into the baking dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 486kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 12gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 295mgPotassium: 454mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1238IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 2mg
Keyword tuna casserole
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