Description
A comforting and classic Old-Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole featuring tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, creamy mushroom sauce, and a golden, buttery breadcrumb topping. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners and brings nostalgic flavors with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles (or any pasta shape you prefer)
- 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna in water, drained and flaked
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of celery)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko or regular)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the casserole later.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, milk, Dijon mustard (if using), garlic powder, black pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the Tuna & Peas: Fold in the drained and flaked tuna, frozen peas (if using), and Parmesan cheese, mixing everything evenly.
- Combine with Noodles: Add the cooked noodles into the sauce mixture and gently toss until all the noodles are coated uniformly.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish lightly, then transfer the tuna noodle mixture into it, spreading evenly.
- Top with Breadcrumbs: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole to create a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the dish is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of celery soup if you prefer a slightly different flavor.
- Frozen peas are optional but add a nice color and sweetness to the dish.
- For extra cheesy topping, sprinkle additional shredded cheddar over the breadcrumbs before baking.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier topping compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated, then baked fresh before serving.
