Description
Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table with zero fuss. Creamy, crunchy, and packed with nostalgic flavor, this classic dish delivers a satisfying meal that makes weeknight cooking a total breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounces / 454 grams) package egg noodles
- 2 (5 ounces / 142 grams) cans tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), preparing your baking space for a comforting meal.
- Cook 16 ounces of egg noodles according to package instructions, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté 1 cup chopped onion, 1 cup sliced mushrooms, and ½ cup chopped celery until they soften and become fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Dust the vegetables with ¼ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, stirring constantly for one minute to coat evenly.
- Pour in 2 cups milk and 1 (10.5 ounce) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, whisking until the mixture smooths out and begins to thicken.
- Fold in 2 (5 ounce) cans of drained and flaked tuna, plus ½ cup cheddar and ¼ cup Gruyere cheese, stirring until everything melts together beautifully.
- Gently mix the cooked noodles into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand gets a luxurious coating.
- Transfer half the noodle mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, sprinkling with half the remaining cheeses.
- Layer the rest of the noodle mixture on top, covering with the remaining cheese blend.
- Mix ½ cup panko breadcrumbs with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and scatter over the top for a crispy finish.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns golden and the edges bubble with cheesy goodness.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving, letting the flavors settle and the sauce slightly firm up.
Notes
- Use a large skillet for even cooking and to prevent sticking when preparing the vegetable and sauce base.
- Select high-quality tuna packed in water for a cleaner, fresher flavor in the casserole.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda for unique flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free breadcrumbs and noodles.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 474 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 712 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg