This classic Tuna Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that combines tender egg noodles, savory tuna, and a creamy mushroom sauce, all topped with a crispy, cheesy crust. It’s a nostalgic dish that’s been reinvented for today’s busy home cook—ready in just about 30 minutes with minimal prep and maximum flavor. This casserole strikes the perfect balance between creamy and crunchy, making it an irresistible weeknight dinner option.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Comforting: This hearty casserole comes together in minutes and bakes to bubbly perfection while you unwind from your day.
Budget-Friendly: Using pantry staples like canned tuna and condensed soup makes this dish incredibly economical without sacrificing flavor.
Family Approved: Both kids and adults devour this dish—it’s one of those rare recipes that pleases everyone at the table.
Versatile: You can easily customize this casserole with whatever vegetables or cheeses you have on hand, making it perfect for using up leftovers.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Egg Noodles: The foundation of our casserole, providing that perfect chewy texture that soaks up all the creamy goodness. Medium or wide noodles work best here.
Frozen Peas: These add a pop of color and sweetness that balances the savory elements. They defrost right in the casserole, so no extra cooking needed!
Condensed Mushroom Soup: The secret to creating that rich, creamy sauce without fuss. It binds everything together and adds deep umami flavor.
Tuna: Use chunk light or solid white tuna packed in water for the best results. Be sure to drain it well to prevent a watery casserole.
Milk: This thins the condensed soup to the perfect consistency. Use whatever type you have on hand—even plant-based milk works!
Cheddar Cheese: Adds a wonderful sharpness and creates those irresistible melty pockets throughout the casserole. Medium or sharp both work beautifully.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasoning that lets the other flavors shine. Season to your taste—the soup already has some salt, so start with less.
Panko Bread Crumbs: These Japanese-style bread crumbs stay crispier than regular ones, creating that perfect textural contrast with the creamy filling.
Butter: When melted and mixed with the panko, it creates a golden, crunchy topping that’s impossible to resist.

Variations

Make It Fancier

Transform this humble casserole into something special by adding sautéed mushrooms, diced red bell peppers, or a splash of white wine to the mixture. Finish with fresh herbs like dill or parsley after baking.

Different Proteins

Not a tuna fan? Try canned chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, or even flaked salmon instead. Each brings its own unique flavor profile to the dish.

Change Up the Cheese

Swap the cheddar for Gruyère, Swiss, or a mixture of whatever cheeses you have in your fridge. Adding a tablespoon of Parmesan to the topping gives an extra flavor boost.

Veggie Boost

Add steamed broccoli florets, spinach, or corn to increase the vegetable content. This is especially helpful when trying to get more veggies into picky eaters’ diets.

How to Make Tuna Casserole

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Defrost your peas by placing them in a colander and running warm water over them, or just let them sit at room temperature while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Create the Crunchy Topping

In a small bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs with melted butter and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated with butter. This mixture will create that irresistible golden crust on top of your casserole.

Step 3: Cook the Noodles

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package directions, but aim for al dente—they’ll continue cooking in the oven. Drain well and let them cool slightly so they don’t cook the peas when mixed.

Step 4: Combine the Casserole Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles, defrosted peas, condensed mushroom soup, drained tuna, milk, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is well incorporated without breaking up the tuna too much.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Transfer the noodle mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the bread crumb topping over the entire surface. Bake in your preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the topping has turned a beautiful golden brown.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Since they’ll continue cooking in the oven, keep them slightly firmer than you’d normally eat them.
Hand-Flake the Tuna: Rather than mixing vigorously, gently fold in hand-flaked tuna to maintain some texture in each bite.
Let It Rest: Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes after baking to set up properly before serving.
Even Crumb Distribution: To ensure a perfectly crispy top, spread the crumb mixture evenly and avoid pressing it down into the casserole.
Check Your Oven: Many ovens run hot, so keep an eye on the topping during the last few minutes to prevent burning.

How to Serve

This Tuna Casserole stands beautifully on its own as a complete meal, but here are some serving suggestions to round out your dinner:

Side Dishes

Pair with a crisp green salad dressed simply with vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the creamy casserole. A side of steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans or carrots adds color and nutrition.

Breads

Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are perfect for sopping up any extra creamy sauce. Garlic bread makes the meal feel more special with minimal extra effort.

Beverages

A glass of chilled Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc complements the flavors wonderfully for adults. For a family meal, try sparkling water with lemon or a simple iced tea.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld and improve overnight, making this perfect for meal prep.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! Prepare the casserole without baking, cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze individual portions for quick lunches.

Note: If freezing, it’s best to leave off the crumb topping and add it fresh before baking.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For a whole casserole, cover with foil and bake at 350°F until heated through (about 20 minutes). Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to re-crisp the topping.

FAQs

Can I make this tuna casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s still cold from the fridge. The crumb topping is best added just before baking for maximum crispiness.

I don’t have condensed mushroom soup. What can I substitute?
You can substitute cream of celery or cream of chicken soup with excellent results. For a homemade alternative, make a simple white sauce with 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons flour, 2 cups milk, and seasonings, then add sautéed mushrooms if desired.

My family doesn’t like peas. What vegetables can I use instead?
Frozen mixed vegetables, corn, diced carrots, or even chopped broccoli make great substitutions. Just ensure they’re either pre-cooked or cut small enough to cook through during the baking process. For a green veggie alternative, try chopped spinach that’s been squeezed of excess moisture.

How can I make this casserole more flavorful?
Boost the flavor by adding a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, or a pinch of dried herbs like thyme or dill to the mixture. Sautéing a small onion and some garlic before mixing everything together also adds wonderful depth of flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Tuna Casserole recipe brings together simplicity and comfort in a dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day. There’s something magical about that combination of creamy filling and crunchy topping that keeps us coming back for seconds. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, looking for budget-friendly meal options, or simply craving something nostalgic and satisfying, this casserole delivers every time. Give it a try tonight—I’m confident it will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation!

Tuna Casserole Recipe