Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole

This Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole is an update on an old classic. It’s made using a flavorful homemade sauce that elevates it taking this potluck star to another level.

Easy Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

Tuna Noodle Casserole isn’t a new dish, it’s a beloved vintage casserole we’ve eaten for generations. The most common version utilizes canned soups for the sauce making it a super easy dish to prepare. While I use canned soups from time to time in casserole recipes such as Crockpot Chicken and Dressing and Au Gratin Ranch Potatoes, this tuna casserole is made with a homemade sauce that uses pantry staples to kick it up a few notches. Ingredients you’ll need to make Southern Tuna Noodle Casserole with no soups:

• Pasta – Wide egg noodles cooked al dente.
• Tuna – Canned white Albacore Tuna, well drained.
• Creamy Sauce – Salted or unsalted melted butter, onion, celery and all purpose flour.
• Seasonings – Salt, lemon pepper or black pepper, seafood seasoning i.e. Old Bay or your favorite, granulated garlic or garlic powder and onion powder.
• Milk – Whole milk or half and half.
• Cheese – Shredded sharp white or regular cheddar cheese, Swiss or Gruyere cheese.
• Mix-ins – Frozen petite peas.
• Topping – French fried onions.
• Garnish – Chopped chives or flat leaf parsley.

How to Make the BEST Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

• Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, whisk, sharp knife and cutting board, pasta cooker, cheese grater and 13 x 9 inch casserole dish.
• If you use a large pot to make the sauce it can double as a mixing bowl.
• I use wide, not extra wide noodles or medium egg noodles in this dish. The sauce is designed to work with this and not a larger pasta.
• You can use white cheddar cheese, regular cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese or Swiss cheese in this dish. In a pinch, monterey jack makes a deliciously mild cheese sauce. Adapt the cheese using your preference or what you have on hand.
• After pouring the noodle mixture into the casserole dish I recommend topping this with crushed french fried onions. However, you can also use buttered breadcrumbs, Ritz crackers, panko bread crumbs or simply use Parmesan cheese. I’ve even topped this with crushed potato chips from time to time.
• Depending on your family’s taste one cup of peas may be ample. If they love peas, you may use up to two cups.
• Adding seafood seasoning gives this dish a little something extra in flavor. I use Old Bay and Seafood Magic, but there are a plethora of seafood seasoning combinations available. Use a blend that you enjoy and you’ll be good to go.
• This casserole can stand alone and be a one dish meal, if you’re in a hurry. That being said, a Wedge Salad and some warm Garlic Bread goes a long way alongside this filling pasta dish.
• Store baked Homemade Southern Tuna Noodle Casserole in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in single serving portions in the microwave.

More Easy Casserole Recipes to Make

• Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole is a family pleaser!
• Barbecue Beef and Tater Tots Casserole is a one dish meal.
• Cheese Hash Brown Casserole is sometimes called funeral potatoes. It’s a popular potluck dish.
• This Easy Cornbread Casserole complements from Southern comfort food and Mexican inspired entrees.
• The kiddos will flip for this Cheesy Hot Dog Macaroni Casserole.
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole is comfort food done right.
• Rich and hearty Beef and Noodles Casserole.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• 13 x 9 inch Dish
• Cheese Grater
• Spatula
• Chopping Board and Knives