Description
This Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole is a comforting, nostalgic dish combining tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese, all topped with a crunchy potato chip crust. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to golden, bubbling perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 3 cups egg noodles (cooked)
- 2 cans tuna (drained)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
Sauce & Cheese
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Other
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup crushed potato chips (or breadcrumbs for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the noodles. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the egg noodles until they are al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Sauté the onions. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the diced onions until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Combine the ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles, drained tuna, cream of mushroom soup, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, frozen peas (if using), and the sautéed onions. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then mix well to evenly distribute all components.
- Prepare for baking. Transfer the noodle mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add the topping. Sprinkle the crushed potato chips or breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the casserole to form a crunchy crust.
- Bake the casserole. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Rest and serve. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly. Enjoy your classic tuna casserole!
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of garlic powder or a dash of paprika to the mixture.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cream of celery soup if preferred.
- If you want a gluten-free option, use gluten-free noodles and topping alternatives.
- The crushed potato chips topping can be substituted with toasted breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for different textures.
- Use fresh or frozen peas depending on availability, but be sure to thaw frozen peas before adding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: tuna casserole, classic casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, baked tuna pasta, old fashioned recipe
