Tuna Noodle Casserole is a comfort food casserole that is creamy, delicious, and easy to make. It’s topped with buttery breadcrumb and shredded cheese.
For under $10, you can enjoy a classic family dinner. This recipe costs just $6.46 to make six servings for only $1.08 per serving!
Check out these casserole recipes for easy weeknight dinner ideas: Tater Tot Casserole, Taco Rice Casserole, and Green Chile Enchilada Casserole.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you need a simple, easy, filling dinner that takes 15 minutes to prep, then you have come to the right place. This Tuna Noodle Casserole is a classic recipe that checks all the boxes.
It is made with simple ingredients that consist of a layer of creamy, tender noodle filling topped with cheese and a buttery bread crumb topping that is baked until it’s bubbly and crispy.
Tuna Noodle Casserole is the BEST on those busy weeknights when you need to make something quick. It is definitely a vintage recipe that has withstood the test of time because it is loved by all generations, kids and adults alike.
Everyone loves this classic comfort meal. We absolutely recommend making this easy Tuna Noodle Casserole any night of the week!
How do you keep tuna casserole from drying out?
There is nothing worse than a dry casserole! The liquid from the creamy mixture filling that is baked with the noodles helps keep this casserole from drying out. As long as you follow the ingredient measurements and do not overbake the recipe, you will avoid having a dried-out meal.
What is a good side dish for tuna noodle casserole?
We recommend a green salad and dinner rolls to serve alongside this casserole.
Can you freeze tuna and noodle casserole?
After assembling the tuna casserole, but before baking it, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it with a plastic wrap layer and then aluminum foil to protect it while in the freezer. You can freeze the dish for up to three months.
How to make Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe:
STEP ONE: First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Also, lightly spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP TWO: Next, boil the egg noodles. While they are cooking, combine the filling ingredients in a large bowl.
STEP THREE: After draining the noodles, combine them with the filling mixture. Pour the noodle mixture into the baking dish.
STEP FOUR: In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons of melted butter with the bread crumbs. Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese on top of the casserole, followed by the bread mixture.
STEP FIVE: Finally, bake for about 40-45 minutes. Serve immediately.
Cook’s Tools:
- 13×9-inch baking dish
- measuring cups
- liquid measuring cup
- mixing spoon
- measuring spoons
- mixing bowls
The Flavor and Recipe Variations
- The frozen peas and carrots can be omitted, or you can use frozen peas only. You can also substitute cooked chicken breast for the tuna.
- Instead of breadcrumbs for the topping, you can use crushed Ritz crackers.
How much will this Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $6.46
PRICE PER SERVING: $1.08
- 12 oz bag Egg Noodles – $1.12
- 10.5 oz can cream of celery soup – $0.76
- 12 oz can light tuna in water – $2.12
- 1/3 cup milk – $0.05
- 12 oz bag frozen peas and carrots – $0.83
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise or sour cream – $0.36
- 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – $0.04
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.03
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese – $0.50
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs – $0.44
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $0.20
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How long is it good for:
Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products in them, you shouldn’t leave this casserole out for longer than 2 hours.
Store: Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Wrap the cooled casserole in two layers of plastic wrap, and two layers of foil. Stored this way, the casserole will keep in the freezer for 3-4 months.
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
Ages 2-3: Have your little one help you mix the filling ingredients. They can also help with sprinkling on the cheese and bread crumb layers.
Ages 4-5: Let your child help measure the ingredients for the filling into a large bowl. They can also stir in the egg noodles when done boiling.
Ages 6-8: Teach your child stovetop safety before showing them how to boil the noodles.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
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Tuna Noodle Casserole
Recipe Cost 6.46 Serving Cost 1.08Equipment
- 13x9-inch baking dish
- measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
- mixing bowls
Ingredients
FILLING:
- 12 oz bag Egg Noodles uncooked
- 10.5 oz can cream of celery soup
- 12 oz can light tuna in water drained
- 12 oz bag frozen peas and carrots rinsed ** see notes
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ cup mayonnaise or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
CRUMB TOPPING:
- ½ cup bread crumbs Italian or Panko
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND PAN:
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
MAKE FILLING:
- In a large pot, boil egg noodles according to package directions.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked soup, tuna, peas and carrots, milk, mayonnaise, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and seasonings until well combined.
- Stir in the cooked noodles until the noodles are coated.
ASSEMBLE CASSEROLE:
- Pour the filling into the prepared 13x9 baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter and bread crumbs until the bread crumbs look like wet sand.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese on top of the casserole.
- Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top of the cheese.
BAKE AND SERVE:
- Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
Renee says
This recipe brings back memories from my childhood. Thanks for this walk down memory lane. I’m excited to make this.
Sam says
This tuna casserole was delicious and easy! Thank you!
Hailey Wilson says
This was one of the favorite Friday Lenten dinners growing up. Delicious! A great added touch is throw it all into a casserole dish with crushed potato chips on top!!! Put it in a 350 oven for 15 minutes or so. Thanks!
Jess Jankowski says
Will have to try it with potato chips next!