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Best Tuna Casserole Recipe

4.9 from 77 reviews

This best tuna casserole recipe is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender egg noodles, savory sautéed vegetables, tuna, and a creamy mushroom soup base, all topped with a crispy cheesy breadcrumb crust. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Casserole:

  • 3 cups egg noodles
  • ½ tbsp butter
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • ½ cup celery, diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 (5-6 oz) can tuna packed in water, drained
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tbsp parsley, freshly chopped

For the Topping:

  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tbsp parsley, freshly chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Cook Noodles: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and drizzle a little olive oil over them to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the Topping: Combine Panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, grated cheddar cheese, and chopped parsley in a small bowl. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly combined. Set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Melt ½ tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
  4. Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, cooked egg noodles, drained tuna, defrosted peas, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, grated cheddar cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  5. Assemble the Casserole: Spoon the mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
  6. Add Topping and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the prepared Panko breadcrumb topping over the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is heated through.

Notes

  • You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery or cream of chicken soup for a different flavor.
  • For a lighter version, use low-fat cheese and milk.
  • Fresh parsley adds a nice color and freshness, but dried parsley can be used if needed.
  • Adding lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors.
  • If preferred, substitute egg noodles with whole wheat or gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.

Keywords: tuna casserole, egg noodles, creamy casserole, easy dinner, cheesy casserole, comfort food, tuna recipe