This Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the comfort food dinner that brings back childhood memories. Tender egg noodles mixed with flaky tuna, creamy sauce, and vegetables, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and baked until golden. Takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. I make this Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole whenever I need something that feeds the whole family without expensive ingredients or complicated techniques.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
Real talk, this Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole is one of the easiest canned tuna recipes dinners I've made and my family actually requests it.
What Actually Works: This Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe combines cooked egg noodles with canned tuna, homemade creamy sauce, frozen peas, and cheese, then tops with buttery breadcrumbs before baking. Simple one-dish technique, about 45 minutes total. Comes out with tender noodles, flaky tuna throughout, velvety sauce, and that irresistible crispy topping.
Why Other Methods Fail: Most best creamy tuna noodle casserole attempts mess up by overcooking noodles which makes mushy texture instead of tender. Others use only canned soup which tastes processed and lacks real cream flavor. Some skip the breadcrumb topping which creates boring casserole without textural contrast.
The thing that changed everything: Understanding that you need homemade sauce and crispy topping for Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole success. My first attempt I used just cream of mushroom soup straight from the can because I thought that was the traditional method. The casserole tasted flat and processed with no depth of flavor.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
- What You'll Need for Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
- How to Make Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage and Reuse Instructions
- What to Serve With Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
- My Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole Journey
- FAQ
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Related
- Pairing
What You'll Need for Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Basic ingredients you probably already have. This is the easiest tuna casserole recipes healthy version you'll make.
For the Casserole
- Egg noodles
- Canned tuna, drained
- Frozen peas
- Unsalted butter
- All purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and black pepper
For the Topping
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Melted butter
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Dried parsley
Optional Add-Ins
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Sliced mushrooms
- Diced onions
- Celery
- Cream cheese for extra creaminess
- Red pepper flakes
Exact measurements in the recipe card.
How to Make Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe comes together with simple mixing and baking. The technique is foolproof.
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook egg noodles until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions for your creamy tuna noodle casserole base.
Drain noodles but don't rinse. The starch helps sauce cling to noodles in your cheesy tuna noodle casserole. Slightly undercooked noodles finish cooking in the oven.
Step 2: Make the Cream Sauce
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to create roux for tuna noodle casserole without cream soup method.
Gradually whisk in milk and broth, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This homemade sauce is the secret to best tuna noodle casserole flavor.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Seasonings
Remove sauce from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted smooth. Add sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for creamy cheesy tuna noodle casserole richness.
The sour cream adds tangy depth while cheese creates velvety texture that canned soup can't match in your healthy tuna noodle casserole.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Add drained tuna, frozen peas, and cooked noodles to the cream sauce. Fold gently until everything is evenly coated with sauce for your hot tuna noodle casserole.
Don't break up tuna too much. Large flakes throughout make better texture than mushy shredded tuna in tuna casserole with cream of mushroom style dishes.
Step 5: Transfer and Top
Pour mixture into greased 9x13 baking dish, spreading evenly. The even layer ensures consistent cooking throughout your tuna helper recipe creation.
Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, parmesan cheese, and dried parsley. Sprinkle topping evenly over casserole for that signature crispy crust.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until topping is golden brown and edges bubble. The bubbling indicates sauce has thickened properly in your crockpot tuna noodle casserole oven version.
Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows sauce to set slightly and makes scooping easier without everything falling apart.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. The creamy tuna noodle casserole recipes version tastes best straight from the oven while topping is still crispy.
Top Tip
Make homemade sauce and don't overcook noodles for perfect Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Here's what I learned through failures:
- That homemade sauce technique is what makes this actually work
- Made this mistake twice using only canned cream of mushroom soup because I thought that was traditional
- The casserole tasted flat and processed with no real cream flavor
- Kids complained it was boring and refused to eat seconds
- Sauce was thin and watery instead of thick and coating
- Started making real cream sauce with butter, flour, milk, and cheese
- The homemade sauce transformed everything with rich velvety texture
- Suddenly got restaurant quality tuna casserole recipes easy results
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
The base Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole is perfect but you can customize it for different needs.
Cream Cheese Addition
Add softened cream cheese to sauce for creamy tuna casserole with cream cheese that's extra rich and tangy. The cream cheese creates luxurious texture.
Soup Shortcut
Use cream of mushroom soup instead of homemade sauce for tuna casserole with sour cream and cream of mushroom soup quick version. Mix soup with milk for better consistency.
Healthy Version
Use whole wheat noodles, low-fat milk, and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for healthy tuna casserole that's lighter. The healthy tuna bake still tastes creamy.
Storage and Reuse Instructions
Yeah, Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole keeps great for leftovers.
Refrigerator: Store leftover best creamy tuna noodle casserole covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave or whole dish covered in 325°F oven for 20 minutes.
Freezing: This tuna pasta casserole healthy version freezes well for up to 2 months before baking. Assemble completely, cover tightly, and freeze. Bake from frozen adding 15 extra minutes.
Make Ahead: Assemble creamy cheesy tuna noodle casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate covered. Add topping right before baking. Bake from cold adding 10 extra minutes.
Serving: Serve this canned tuna recipes dinners creation hot with simple green salad or steamed vegetables. The casserole reheats beautifully for easy lunches.
What to Serve With Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole is substantial enough as a main but pairs well with simple sides.
Classic Options: Serve creamy tuna noodle casserole recipe with green beans, dinner rolls, or simple salad. The vegetables add freshness that balances rich creamy casserole.
Vegetable Sides: Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or glazed carrots complement the tuna casserole recipes easy without competing. The variety of textures creates complete meal.
Bread Pairing: Crusty bread, garlic bread, or buttermilk biscuits are perfect for soaking up extra sauce from your hot tuna noodle casserole. The bread makes it feel more substantial.
My Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole Journey
First time I made Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole I used only canned cream of mushroom soup because that's what I remembered from childhood. The casserole tasted flat and processed with that distinct canned flavor.
My family ate it politely but nobody requested it again. The thin watery sauce pooled at the bottom and noodles were mushy from overcooking.
Tried again making real cream sauce with butter, flour, milk, and cheese. Suddenly the casserole had depth and richness that canned soup couldn't match. The velvety sauce coated every noodle perfectly.
Then I fully cooked the noodles before baking because I worried about crunchy pasta. They turned into complete mush during baking and texture was terrible. Started cooking noodles al dente and they finished perfectly in the oven.
Now I make this Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole twice a month for easy family dinner. Homemade sauce, al dente noodles, crispy topping, and proper baking create comforting perfection.
Similar Easy Casserole Recipes Worth Making
Tuna and Noodles Without Soup: Builds homemade sauce like this recipe for tuna and noodles without soup that's fresher and more flavorful.
Healthy Tuna and Noodles: Uses lighter ingredients for healthy tuna and noodles version without sacrificing creamy texture.
2 Minute Noodles with Tuna: Quick stovetop version for 2 minute noodles with tuna when you don't want to bake casserole.
These easy healthy tuna casserole variations all use similar techniques to Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole, so once you master this recipe the others become straightforward.
FAQ
What gives tuna casserole its creamy texture?
Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole gets its creamy texture from homemade white sauce made with butter, flour, milk, and cheese plus sour cream. The creamy tuna noodle casserole recipe uses real dairy instead of just canned soup. Some versions add cream cheese for extra richness and velvety consistency.
What can I add to tuna noodle casserole to make it taste better?
Add shredded cheese, sour cream, garlic, herbs, and crispy breadcrumb topping to make Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole taste better. The best creamy tuna noodle casserole includes vegetables like peas and mushrooms for texture. Homemade cream sauce instead of canned soup dramatically improves flavor.
What is the best binder for tuna casserole?
The best binder for Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole is homemade white sauce made from butter, flour, and milk that thickens into velvety coating. The creamy cheesy tuna noodle casserole sauce binds everything together better than canned soup alone. Adding cheese and sour cream creates even more cohesive texture.
What to substitute for cream of mushroom soup in tuna casserole?
Substitute homemade white sauce for cream of mushroom soup in Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole by making roux with butter and flour, then adding milk and broth. The tuna noodle casserole without cream soup tastes fresher and less processed. You can also use cream of chicken soup or mixture of sour cream and milk.
More Recipes You'll Love
Once you've nailed this Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole, try my Neapolitan Cake for stunning three-layer dessert with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. My Butterfinger Balls make easy no-bake treats with crushed candy and cream cheese. And my Hot Italian Sub Sliders create perfect party sandwiches with Italian meats and garlic butter that everyone devours.
Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil, cook egg noodles until just al dente about 2 minutes less than package directions, drain without rinsing.
- Melt 4 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, gradually whisk in milk and broth stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coats back of spoon.
- Remove from heat, stir in cheddar cheese until melted, add sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add drained tuna, frozen peas, and cooked noodles to sauce, fold gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Pour mixture into greased 9x13 baking dish spreading evenly, mix panko breadcrumbs with 3 tablespoons melted butter, parmesan cheese, and dried parsley, sprinkle topping evenly over casserole.
- Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until topping is golden brown and edges bubble, let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Nutrition
Notes
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole:
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