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Every once in a while, nothing will satisfy like a classic creamy tuna casserole. This recipe can be jazzed up* or served as is.

Grandpa and I were trying to figure out why we don’t have this more often. The recipe is simple and delicious. Tuna is healthy and affordable. I can double or triple the recipe for company or kids.

What we figured out is that it is too easy, food snobs that we are. Both of our mothers made a variation of this wholesome family dinner and I made it for our kids for decades.

tuna casserole variation

Classic Tuna Casserole

Easy, yummy, comfort one pan dish. There is no way to make this tuna casserole wrong. User your oven or toaster oven and you have a perfect healthy dinner in 20 minutes. Grandpa and I appreciate it for Meatless Mondays or Friday's in Lent. This is one comfort food that you can't get in a restaurant or the frozen section of the grocery store.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 414 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups egg noodles cooked and drained
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/3 cup green onion chopped (3 or 4)
  • 1/3 cup celery chopped (2 or 3 stalks)
  • 2/3 cup peas frozen (defrosted)
  • 6 oz tuna 1 pouch or can packed in water
  • 10 oz cream of celery soup condensed
  • 2/3 cup cheddar cheese shredded, split into 2 - 1/3 portions
  • 1 cup potato chip crumbs

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven or toaster oven to 425F
  • Cook and drain egg noodles as directed on package.
  • While noodles are boiling cook celery and onion in butter.
  • In a large bowl combine noodles, tuna, onions, celery, peas, soup, milk, 1/3 cup cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Place in casserole dish or 9 x 9 baking dish.
  • Top with remaining cheese and potato chip crumbs.
  • Bake 20 minutes until bubbly.

Nutrition

Calories: 414kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 20gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 713mgPotassium: 592mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 742IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 2mg
Keyword casserole, noodles, tuna

Jazz It Up – Options

  • Make it tex-mex with Queso with Corn Chips.
  • Go bistro with Gruyere and a breadcrumb/butter topping.
  • Add fresh herbs to the casserole before baking: red pepper, parsley, cilantro, tarragon, marjoram, or dill all add a unique spin. Be careful with your combos though. I like to keep this one simple.

*NOTES.

Just so you know – egg noodles are not the same thing as pasta. If all you have is pasta in the pantry by all means use it up but allow an extra 5 to 10 minutes to set before baking. Pasta will give the dish a heavier feel. We think that small shell pasta is almost as good as classic egg noodles but — not quite.

Usually I would say that Tuna Casserole is best when you keep it simple. That doesn’t mean you can’t add chopped carrots or a bit of broccoli. Even fresh spinach added before baking can add a nice touch. The important thing is to use comfort flavors for you!