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Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe with Crispy Topping

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This creamy tuna noodle casserole is a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing comfort food featuring tender noodles, savory tuna, a rich homemade sauce, and a buttery, crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s quick to prepare, endlessly flexible, and perfect for cozy family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz wide or medium egg noodles, cooked al dente
  • 2 cans (5 oz each) solid white albacore tuna, drained
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, sautéed
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Pinch of paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with butter or oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook until just al dente (5-6 minutes). Drain well and set aside.
  3. While noodles cook, heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and celery until soft and fragrant (4-5 minutes). Remove from heat.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooked noodles, sautéed onion and celery, drained tuna, peas, cream of mushroom soup, milk, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed. Add extra milk if mixture seems dry.
  5. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
  6. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and paprika until crumbs are evenly coated.
  7. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over casserole.
  8. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling. If topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil for last 10 minutes.
  9. Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles and breadcrumbs. Dairy-free swaps include plant-based milk, vegan cheese, and dairy-free butter. Add extra veggies like mushrooms or carrots for variety. Prep ahead by assembling the casserole (without topping) and refrigerating up to 24 hours; add topping and bake before serving. Leftovers reheat best with a splash of milk. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: tuna casserole, creamy tuna noodle casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, potluck, family recipe, crispy topping, classic casserole

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