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.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole

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 to kick it up a few notches.

Tips for Making Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole

• I use wide, not extra wide noodles, in this dish.
• You can use white cheddar, regular cheddar, Gruyere or Swiss cheese in this dish. In a pinch, monterey jack makes a delicious mild cheese sauce. Adapt the cheese using your preference or, what you have on hand.
• I recommend topping this with crushed french fried onions however, you can also use buttered bread crumbs or even crushed potato chips.
• 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.

Dishes to Serve with Tuna Casserole

This casserole can stand alone, 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. You may also enjoy this tuna salad recipe from Spend with Pennies.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• 13 x 9 inch Baking Dish
• Stainless Steel Saucepan
• Cheese Grater
• Dish Set

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Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Stand time5 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy-tuna-noodle-casserole, tuna casserole, tuna-noodle-casserole

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 651kcal

Ingredients

• 12 oz wide egg noodles cooked al dente
• 6 tablespoon salted or unsalted butter
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 rib celery diced
• ⅓ cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper or black pepper
• 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning i.e. Old Bay or your favorite
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 4 cups whole milk or half and half
• 3 cups shredded sharp white or regular cheddar cheese, Swiss or Gruyere divided
• 3 6 oz cans tuna drained
• 1-2 cups frozen petite peas adjust amount to your taste
• 1 cup french fried onions crushed
• fresh chopped chives or parsley for garnishing `optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Cook noodles per the package in salted water until al dente. Drain well.
• Meanwhile in a deep large saucepan, cook together butter, celery and onion for 2 minutes over medium until softened. Add flour, stirring until absorbed to make a roux. Simmer 1 minute.
• To the roux add salt, lemon pepper, seafood seasoning, garlic and onion powders. Mix well.
• Increase heat to medium-high and gradually mix in milk. Stir until fully combined, bring to a boil. Immediately lower heat and allow to gently bubble for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, mix in 2 cups cheese until melted.
• To the pot add noodles, tuna and peas. Mix well, and pour into baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and fried onions.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve immediately garnished with fresh chives or parsley, if desired.

Notes

• 2-3 cloves of minced fresh garlic may be simmered with the onion and celery in place of granulated garlic, if desired.
• If you don't have lemon pepper, you may use the same amount of black pepper and add a splash of fresh lemon juice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 651kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 689mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1125IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 670mg | Iron: 2mg

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