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5 from 4 votes
Closeup of baked tuna noodle casserole in a white casserole dish
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
 

Tuna Noodle Casserole is the ultimate, classic comfort food that's been around for years! Tuna tossed in egg noodles, peas, and a from-scratch sauce. No soup mixtures are used!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy tuna noodle casserole, tuna noodle casserole
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 380 kcal
Ingredients
  • 8 oz wide egg noodles
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ large white or yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 celery rib, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup milk
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese, divided
  • (2) 5 oz cans of tuna, drained
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup crushed ritz crackers
Instructions
  1. Cook the egg noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Add cooled noodles to a casserole dish and set aside.

  2. Melt butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, and garlic and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

  3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring. Turn heat down to low and gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Bring mixture to a boil and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Continue whisking until the mixture has thickened.

  4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove from heat and 1 cup of shredded cheese, stirring until melted. Combine the tuna and peas and mix until combined.

  5. Pour the sauce mixture over the noodles and stir to combine.

  6. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of the mixture. Add the crushed ritz crackers on top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.

Recipe Notes

Storage - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating - To heat in the oven, cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until hot. You can also reheat individual servings of Tuna Noodle Casserole in the microwave.

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Make and assemble casserole according to the directions right up until it's baked.
  2. Allow the tuna and sauce mixture to cool completely.
  3. Wrap casserole securely with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil.
  4. Freeze for up to 6 months.
  5. When ready to bake defrost casserole in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours until completely thawed.
  6. Let casserole stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
  7. Bake at 350℉ for 40 minutes, uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Amount Per Serving
Calories 380 Calories from Fat 149
% Daily Value*
Fat 16.5g25%
Saturated Fat 7.7g48%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.8g
Cholesterol 71.8mg24%
Sodium 203.1mg9%
Carbohydrates 30.6g10%
Fiber 2.2g9%
Sugar 4.2g5%
Protein 28.6g57%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.