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This classic tuna noodle casserole has been in my family forever and ever. My grandma made it for my mom, and my mom has been making it for over 40 years; now it’s one of my fave comfort-food dinners. Made with tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, a rich, creamy cheese sauce, and no canned soup in sight, it’s finished with buttery breadcrumbs for an easy, budget-friendly casserole that only takes 30 minutes to bake!
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
Why This Is Your New Favorite Casserole
- While tons of tuna noodle casserole recipes have canned cream of mushroom soup, I made this with a quick homemade cheese sauce made of roux, milk, and cheddar. It only takes a few extra minutes, and the payoff is a casserole that’s richer, creamier, and full of real cheesy flavor.
- I looove my family recipe, but definitely made some changes to amp up the nutrition and bring out the cheesy flavor and creaminess. I kept everything I love about traditional tuna noodle casserole, but added that rich homemade cheese sauce and vegetables for more texture and flavor.
- There are times when I like quick meals without sacrificing taste, and this creamy casserole delivers: it takes 30 minutes to cook, uses simple pantry and freezer staples, and I can throw it together any time I feel like it without a side quest to the grocery store. It’s a complete meal that doesn’t need many sides either — a simple salad or steamed or roasted vegetables go well!
What I Learned Testing This Recipe
- I’ve found that freshly shredded cheddar melts SOO much better than pre-shredded cheese. It takes a few extra minutes to grate it yourself, but the sauce turns out smoother, creamier, and much less grainy.
- It’s better to slightly undercook the egg noodles since they’ll continue cooking in the oven. I take them off the stove just before they’re fully done, which keeps them tender and prevents the casserole from drying out.
- One thing that really helps is letting the milk and cheese come to room temperature before you start. I also take the saucepan off the heat before stirring them in. That helps keep the sauce silky instead of separating.
Ingredients
Egg noodles – I always use wide egg noodles because they hold onto the creamy sauce and give this casserole its classic texture. If you don’t have egg noodles, rotini, fusilli, or medium shells work well too.
Butter and all-purpose flour – These create a simple roux, which thickens the homemade cheese sauce without relying on canned cream of mushroom soup. For a gluten-free version, swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour.
Whole milk – I recommend whole milk for the richest, creamiest sauce. Don’t use 2% here because the sauce just won’t be quite as rich, and we want it super creamy!
Cheddar cheese – I prefer shredding cheddar from a block, as it melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese and gives the sauce the creamiest texture. Sharp cheddar adds extra flavor, but mild or medium cheddar is a great option too.
Canned tuna – I typically use chunk light tuna packed in water, but albacore works too if you prefer larger, meatier flakes. Make sure to drain it well before adding it to the sauce.
Frozen peas – I love the pop of sweetness and color frozen peas add, but it’s easy to leave them out. You can also add other veggies, like broccoli, spinach, asparagus, or corn; they’re some of my faves you could rotate.
Breadcrumbs – Plain breadcrumbs are best because they soak up the butter nicely. You could also use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. They’d add a little extra garlic and herb flavor. Also, if you’re dealing with allergies, gluten-free breadcrumbs are an easy substitute!
How to Make Tuna Noodle Casserole
Make the roux – Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over low heat, then whisk in the flour until smooth. Continue whisking for about 1 minute, until the roux turns lightly golden and begins to bubble.
Whisk in the milk – Next, quickly remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly whisk in the milk, adding a little at a time to keep the sauce smooth. Return the pan to medium heat and whisk constantly, until the sauce thickens (it should bubble).
Add the cheese – Take the saucepan off the heat, then stir in the cheddar cheese and all seasonings until the cheese has completely melted into the sauce.
Cook the noodles – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the egg noodles until they’re just shy of al dente, using the shortest cooking time listed on the package. Drain them well and transfer them to your casserole dish.
Assemble the casserole – Add the cooked egg noodles to a casserole dish, then pour the cheese sauce over the top. Add the drained tuna and frozen peas.
Bake – Gently fold everything together until the noodles, tuna, and peas are evenly coated in the creamy cheese sauce. Spread the mixture into an even layer, then bake at 350°F for 15 minutes while you prepare the breadcrumb topping.
Add the breadcrumb topping – After 15 minutes of baking, remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then add the buttery breadcrumbs. Return it to the oven and bake for 5 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are lightly golden.
Serve – Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving so the sauce has a chance to thicken. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This is such an easy tuna noodle casserole recipe, right?! When it comes to sides with this dish, I like something fresh and crisp to balance the rich, creamy sauce. A simple green salad, roasted or grilled broccoli, air-fried asparagus, or roasted Brussels sprouts are my top picks. Another fave is warm dinner rolls or garlic bread, because they soak up the homemade creamy cheese sauce sooo nicely!
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven until warmed through, or microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring once or twice if needed. You don’t want to zap it too long in the microwave and end up with dried-out noodles!
One of the reasons this casserole has survived in my Catholic family over the generations is because you can freeze this, a practice I still do today! Just add a splash of milk when reheating to bring back that creamy consistency.
More Comfort Food Dinners
Frequently Asked Questions
No doubt this sucks when it happens! A watery casserole is usually caused by overcooked noodles or excess moisture from the peas or tuna. Cook the noodles just until al dente, drain the tuna super well, and let the casserole definitely let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes after baking so the sauce has time to thicken.
For sure, you can assemble it 24 hours in advance (just cover it tightly in the fridge) When you’re ready to make dinner, let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes, and then bake as directed.
When the filling is hot and bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown. I advise using an instant-read thermometer and inserting it into the center; the temperatures should be 165°F.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Best Tuna Noodle Casserole Ever (Just Like Mom Made!)
Equipment
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Large pot
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Large wooden spoon
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colander
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8×12 casserole dish 2 ½ quarts
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Oven
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medium heavy-bottomed saucepan
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whisk
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Small microwave-safe bowl
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Spoon or small silicone spatula
Ingredients
For the Noodles
- 8 cups water
- ½-1 tablespoon salt
- 8 ounces uncooked egg noodles see Notes
For the Cream Sauce
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour see Notes
- 2 ½ cups whole milk at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley optional
- 1 cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese at room temperature
For the Casserole
- 1 5-ounce can chunk light tuna in water drained, flaked; see Notes
- ¾ cup frozen green peas
- ½ cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese at room temperature
For the Breadcrumb Topping
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs plain or Italian seasoned; see Notes
- 1 large pinch salt more or less to taste
Serving Suggestions (All Optional)
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
For the Noodles
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Add 8 cups water to large pot and place pot on stovetop over medium-high heat. Bring water to boil, then add ½-1 tablespoon salt. Stir to incorporate.
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When salted water begins to boil, add 8 ounces uncooked egg noodles and stir to incorporate. Boil noodles for shortest amount of time indicated on noodle packaging.
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Once noodles have boiled for desired length of time, immediately pour noodles and water into colander. Drain noodles very well, then transfer noodles to casserole dish. Set dish aside.
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Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit while preparing cream sauce.
For the Cream Sauce
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Add 5 tablespoons unsalted butter to medium saucepan and place pan on stovetop over low heat. Heat saucepan until butter is almost completely melted, stirring butter occasionally.
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Cook flour mixture over low heat approximately 1 minute, stirring constantly, until mixture turns golden and begins to bubble.
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When all milk has been added, return saucepan to heat and increase heat to medium. Simmer mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture has thickened and begins to bubble.
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Remove saucepan from heat. Add 1 cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese in small increments, whisking constantly, until all cheese has been incorporated and melted.
For the Casserole
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Place casserole dish in preheated oven. Bake casserole 15 minutes while preparing breadcrumb topping.
For the Breadcrumb Topping
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Place 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave butter in 15-second increments, stirring well between each burst, until butter is melted but not bubbling or boiling. Carefully remove bowl from microwave.
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Add 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and 1 large pinch salt to bowl with melted butter. Stir ingredients together until well blended, with all breadcrumbs completely buttered.
To Serve
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Return baking dish to oven. Bake casserole 5 minutes more or until cheese layer is melted and bubbly, then carefully remove dish from oven and set aside. Let casserole rest 3 to 5 minutes.
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Garnish casserole with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm with preferred sides.
Video
Cheddar Cheese: Instead of using prepackaged shredded cheese, I recommend buying a block of fresh cheddar and shredding it yourself. Prepackaged shredded and grated cheeses typically contain starches and other fillers to prevent clumping, but they can make the cheese grainy and keep it from melting like it should.
Dairy Products: To ensure your dairy products don’t seize, separate, or curdle, bring them to room temperature before starting this recipe. Remove the saucepan from direct heat before incorporating any dairy ingredients, to prevent heating them too quickly.
Make it Gluten Free: Substitute egg noodles with the same amount of gluten-free noodles. Use gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of regular flour. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, make some out of gluten free bread, or omit the breadcrumb topping entirely.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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Thank you for this recipe! My moms tuna casserole never used canned soup and I searched forever to find one like this. I remember she used velveeta instead of shredded cheddar and topped it with potato chips. Made it to this recipe with only those substitutions and it took me back to one of my absolute favorite comfort meals as a kid.
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I might add some more tuna. I topped with Cheez-its on 1/2 and potato chips on the other. This makes a lot for 2 people
Yum!
I used almond flour and it never quite blended together. I will try oat flour, has anyone else had any luck with gluten free flours? Very tasty despite this.
We’re glad you still found it delicious!
My husband went back for seconds. Let’s just say he doesn’t normally go back for seconds when I cook!
That’s awesome! I know that made you feel good. 🙂
Okay folks, this one’s a keeper! The only thing I changed was doubling the breadcrumb topping.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Looking for lower fat, lower cholesterol adjustment for this recipe. Can you substitute smart balance for the butter? Lower fat cheese or vegan cheese? Thanks!
Hi, Kate! You could definitely use a low-fat cheese. We haven’t tried this one with Smart Balance or vegan cheese so can’t say for sure how those subs would turn out. Let us know if you try them!
I have to say this was delicious. I’m not a pea lover but added them anyway. By no means did it ruin this dish for me. My husband loved it as well even though he’s not a tuna lover. He even went back for seconds. Only change was I used 2 cans of tuna. Thank you for a great recipe. Will certainly make it again and again.
We’re thrilled that you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
This was wonderful! So much better than with condensed soup! Extra creamy and delicious and nice and cheesy. I grew up on tuna casserole with condensed mushroom soup without cheese. Adding cheese the way my husband’s mom always made it, at his request brought it up a notch but making your cheese sauce from scratch like this took it to the top of the list in comfort foods!
My only other comment is to say that the prep time is more like 20-25 minutes and worth every moment of it!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I made this for my 76 year old father in law while his wife was in the hospital. He doesn’t eat much, and doesn’t really comment on food, but he loved this and talked about how good it was for days!! His wife is away this week so I’m making it for him again.
Used double the amount of albacore tuna because it’s yummy, and only had heavy cream so I thinned that out with some water.
The breadcrumbs on the top are the icing on the cake, and if you like a crunchy topping, I highly suggest doubling the amnt called for (or tripling!) and using Panko if you have it. Not necessary, but I like to take things to the next level 😉
Really SUPER delicious and puts the old school tuna casserole from my childhood to shame!
We are thrilled you and your father-in-law loved this recipe! Hope it brings some comfort and joy while his wife is recovering in the hospital. Thanks for sharing this feedback!
I made this for my 76 year old father in law while his wife was in the hospital. He doesn’t eat much, and doesn’t really comment on food, but he loved this and talked about how good it was for days!! His wife is away this week so I’m making it for him again.
Used double the amount of albacore tuna because it’s yummy, and only had heavy cream so I thinned that out with some water.
Really SUPER delicious and puts the old school tuna casserole from my childhood to shame!