Remember the warm aroma of sautéed onions and celery, the comforting creaminess of tuna and noodles, and the satisfying crunch of buttery breadcrumbs with sweet peas? This easy tuna noodle casserole is made from scratch and delivers that nostalgic flavor in about 30 minutes.
This casserole is a family favorite—simple to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or to drop off at a friend’s house when they need a homemade meal. Below is a clear, streamlined recipe that keeps the classic flavors without relying on canned soups.
I’m not kidding! This is easy to Make! Watch and See!
Two cans of tuna, egg noodles (or your favorite pasta), onion, celery, frozen peas, chicken broth, and heavy cream come together with a buttery breadcrumb topping for a satisfying casserole that’s easy to shop for and quick to assemble.
Tuna Noodle Casserole INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound egg noodles (or small shells/elbow macaroni)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 4 Tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 (6-ounce) cans solid light tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed potato chips/Ritz)
- Coarse salt and ground pepper to taste
SUBSTITUTIONS And ADDITIONS
This version skips canned cream soups by building a simple cream sauce on the stove. You can swap egg noodles for elbow macaroni or small shells and follow package cooking times. For the topping, crushed potato chips or Ritz crackers work well in place of breadcrumbs. If you prefer, stir in shredded cheddar or Parmesan with the topping before broiling.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Are You Ready to Make Tuna Noodle Casserole?
- Preheat: Preheat your oven broiler and prepare a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and chopped celery and cook until softened.
- Make roux: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to coat the vegetables.
- Deglaze: Add the white wine and cook for a minute or two to let the alcohol evaporate and the flavors concentrate.
- Build sauce: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, then reduce the heat and add the heavy cream. Whisk until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine: Stir in the cooked pasta, flaked tuna, and thawed peas. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper to taste.
- Top: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Combine 1 cup breadcrumbs with the remaining 3 Tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Finish: Place under the broiler just until the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Serving and Storage
Serve straight from the casserole dish. Crusty bread and a green salad make lovely accompaniments. Cover any leftovers with foil or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate; reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound egg noodles
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 4 Tablespoons butter divided
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 6-ounce cans solid light tuna drained and flaked
- 1 cup frozen peas thawed
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- Coarse salt and ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions; drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat oil and 1 Tablespoon butter in a large skillet. Sauté onion and celery until softened.
- Add flour and whisk to coat the vegetables.
- Pour in the white wine and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then reduce heat and stir in cream until thickened.
- Fold in cooked pasta, flaked tuna, and peas. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Combine breadcrumbs with the remaining 3 Tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Broil briefly until the topping is golden—watch closely to prevent burning.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 35 g |
Protein: 15 g |
Fat: 21 g
PIN Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe on your Comfort Food board so you can make it again and again—your family and friends will be so happy!
More Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this classic tuna casserole, try other comforting casseroles and family-friendly recipes from the same kitchen. Leave a comment to share which dish became your favorite.
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