Tuna Noodle Casserole With Homemade Sauce

By Diana Rattray

Updated 09/05/19

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Diana Rattray
  • Total: 45 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 35 mins
  • Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
685 Calories
36g Fat
62g Carbs
28g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6 Servings
Amount per serving
Calories 685
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 46%
Saturated Fat 12g 62%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 1181mg 51%
Total Carbohydrate 62g 22%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Protein 28g
Calcium 179mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This classic tuna casserole is a classic mixture of tuna, noodles, and a flavorful homemade sauce–no soup! We used frozen thawed peas in this dish, but feel free to use lightly cooked frozen mixed vegetables or a blend of peas and carrots. If you aren't a fan of mushrooms, leave them out, or sauté some onions or celery to replace them.

To serve, complement this creamy casserole with a tossed salad or fresh sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.

1:35

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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces broad egg noodles
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas (thawed)
  • 2 cans (5 to 6 ounces each) tuna (drained and flaked)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped pimiento (drained)
  • Topping:
  • 1 1/2 cups soft fresh bread crumbs *
  • 2 tablespoons butter (melted)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

    Classic tuna casserole ingredients

  2. Heat the oven to 350 F/180 C/Gas 4. Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish or spray with cooking spray.

    Lightly butter baking dish
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  3. Cook the noodles in boiling salted water following package directions.

    Cook noodles in salted boiling water
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  4. Drain in a colander and rinse under hot water.

    Drain cooked noodles
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  5. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.

    Melt butter in saucepan
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  6. Cook the sliced mushrooms until golden brown and tender.

    Cook mushrooms until golden brown
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  7. Then stir in the flour. Cook, stirring, for about 1 to 2 minutes.

    Stir in flour to mushrooms in saucepan
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  8. Gradually add the milk and continue to cook, stirring, until thickened.

    Add milk to flour and mushrooms
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  9. Stir in the mayonnaise, frozen peas, tuna, and drained pimiento. Bring to a simmer and continue cooking, stirring, for 1 minute longer.

    Stir in the mayonnaise, frozen peas, tuna, and pimiento
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  10. Combine the sauce mixture with the noodles and mix to blend ingredients thoroughly.

    Combine sauce with noodles
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  11. Turn into the prepared baking dish.

    Add pasta and sauce to baking dish
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  12. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs with melted butter.

    Add butter and breadcrumbs in bowl
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  13. Sprinkle over the casserole.

    Cover tuna casserole with breadcrumbs
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  14. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and topping is browned.

  15. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • As loaf bread becomes stale, tear it into pieces and process in a food processor until finely ground. Freeze the crumbs in a food storage bag and use as needed for casseroles or other dishes calling for bread crumbs, like meatloaf.
  • For toasted breadcrumbs, spread the crumbs out on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a preheated 325 F (165 C/Gas 3) oven for about 12 to 14 minutes, until browned and crunchy.
  • Season the casserole to your liking. Salt and pepper can add additional flavor to this dish. If you use canned breadcrumbs or substitute with potato chips, go lighter on the salt, as these ingredients will already include salt. For a spicier take, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.

Recipe Variations

  • Substitute French fried onion rings or potato chips for the buttered breadcrumb topping.
  • Instead of mushrooms, sauté 1/2 cup of thinly sliced celery or a combination of celery with 1/4 cup of chopped onion.
  • Add 1 cup of shredded cheese to the thickened sauce before you add the mayonnaise.

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