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Easy Tuna Rigatoni Noodle Casserole With French Fried Onions

Baked until hot and bubbly then tucked under the broiler, Cheesy Tuna Casserole is an easy recipe the whole family will love. One of our favorite comfort food recipes!

Gather round the dinner table for this meal. Tuna Casserole with Egg Noodles is classic comfort food!. Tender egg noodles and mushroom soup mixed with albacore tuna, combined with shredded cheese, sliced mushrooms and fresh peas. Baked until hot and bubbly with a crunchy golden brown topping

There are many great casserole recipes on the blog, be sure to put the King Ranch Chicken Casserole on the menu for this week! It's like a cheesy chicken enchilada without all the fussy prep!

Spoon filled with baked tuna noodle casserole
Easy comfort food tuna casserole is a meal everyone loves!
Jump to:
  • 🧡 Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Equipment
  • 🙋‍♀️ FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • 🥗 Serving Suggestions
  • SERVE GREAT MEALS EVERY TIME! 👇
  • Related Recipes
  • Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

🧡 Why you'll love this recipe

This Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe is pure comfort food! It's made using simple pantry ingredients that you keep on-hand.

Everyone needs a simple recipe like this to put together because it's all about pantry staples. It's a great meal when you don't know what to cook and don't feel like going to the store. Look in your pantry and refrigerator, I bet you'll have everything you need!

The end result is an easy tuna casserole recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights meals!

Ingredients

Photo of ingredients needed to make this recipe, with print overlay.
Ingredients you'll need to make Classic Tuna Casserole
  • 2 cans of tuna fish - you can substitute canned chicken, that will be terrific as well.
  • wide or medium egg noodles are the traditional choice, but you can use other types of pasta; penne, rigatoni or elbow macaroni would be delicious as well.
  • mushroom cream soup - cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup can be substituted.
  • mushrooms - I used canned mushrooms, but you can also use fresh mushrooms. You can also omit them and this classic tuna noodle casserole will still be delicious!
  • shredded cheddar cheese and parmesan - substitute Colby, or pepper jack, super yummy! You could substitute pecorino if parmesan cheese isn't available.
  • frozen peas are best!
  • half & half - you can substitute whole milk or even evaporated milk, that would make it super creamy!
  • bread crumbs - panko bread crumbs will make the topping super crispy - yum! You can also use Italian bread crumbs for crispy flavor.

Instructions

Step by step photo instructions to make this recipe. With print overlay.
Instructions to make an old fashioned tuna noodle casserole.
  1. Cook noodles according to package directions to al dente.
  2. Mix together the soup, milk, mushrooms and tuna making a creamy sauce.
  3. Fold in the noodles and cheese into the cream sauce, pour the tuna mixture into a baking dish, add the bread crumb mixture to the top, melt butter and drizzle on top of the casserole.
  4. Bake the cheesy tuna casserole in the oven, finish under the broiler.

How easy is that? A pantry meal that's delicious and doesn't break the bank - gotta love that!

Equipment

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  • These mixing bowls - I have two sets and use them daily!
  • I have two sets of measuring spoons. I like these because they fit in the spice jars.
  • 9x13-inch baking dish - this one has great handles, making it easy to handle when hot.

🙋‍♀️ FAQ's

What can I top a tuna casserole with?

Bread crumbs - store-bought or homemade, whatever you have! What, no bread crumbs? Substitute with potato chips, crushed pretzels or a can of fried onions.

You can easily make your own bread crumbs using stale bread, rolls or croissants. Just give them a rough chop and blitz them in the food processor.

Do you bake tuna noodle casserole covered or uncovered?

Bake covered for the first 30 minutes - uncover and finish by browning under the broiler.

What kind of tuna is best for this dish?

I recommend solid white albacore tuna packed in water, certainly use the tuna product you and your family enjoy most!

Overhead photo of baked casserole dish, with a serving removed.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tips

  • Cheddar, Monterey Jack or ? Use your favorite cheese!
  • Cook the noodles to al dente so the noodles don't get mushy after baking.
  • Make in advance - Prepare the casserole up to a day before. Wait to add the topping until you're ready to bake.
  • Double the recipe and freeze a second casserole. Perfect for the days you don't want to cook!

Make in advance - prepare the casserole as directed but do not add the topping. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the bread crumbs then bake until hot and bubbly!

Variations

This is just the BEST Tuna Casserole and you can have fun making it your own. Top the noodle casserole recipe with crushed potato chips, crushed ritz crackers or French fried onions - yum!!

Spice it up with a healthy pinch of red pepper flakes or a couple dashes of hot sauce. Substitute chicken for tuna, that's an option too!

You can use any of the creamed canned soups in this recipe.

Plate filled with tuna noodle casserole, with full casserole dish in the background.
This is a great recipe using pantry and freezer staples.

Storage

Refrigerator - This from scratch Tuna Noodle Casserole keeps in the refrigerator up to three days. Refrigerate leftovers in a food storage container.

Freezer - Store in an airtight container, or wrap well with aluminum foil. It freezes wonderfully as well, up to three months.

Reheat - you can reheat in the microwave but my preference is baking so the top re-crisps (that's a word, right?!!). It will take a few more minutes to reheat out of the refrigerator - plan on baking 30-35 minutes.

🥗 Serving Suggestions

  • The classic tuna noodle casserole is a rich dish, this recipe for steamed Brussels sprouts balances it so well with its simple fresh flavor.
  • 3 ingredient steamed green beans - super delicious and simple it takes just minutes to make!
  • This one is a favorite! Braised Swiss Chard - buttery, savory - SO GOOD! Sauté on the stovetop while the casserole is baking!
  • Southern Style Green Beans - loaded with bacon, onions and garlic, this isn't your ordinary side dish - YUM!

SERVE GREAT MEALS EVERY TIME! 👇

The blog is filled with easy recipes! Next time try Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole or this recipe for Chicken and Broccoli Pasta - yummy one pot meals that are quick and easy to make!

  • Loaded Baked Potato Casserole - easy to make this can be a side or main dish! I just love these tasty potatoes!
  • Everyone loves this recipe for Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole! It's filled with big beefy and flavor and super easy to make and hello.... tater tots!
  • Vegetable Casserole - loaded with vegetables topped with sauce and cheese, this one is delicious!
  • Even your pickiest eaters will love this recipe! This ground beef casserole has a tomato cheese base and it's so simple to make - family favorite!
  • Philly Cheesesteak Baked Tortellini Casserole, easy to make and a real crowd pleaser, this is always on the menu!
  • Tamale Pie - an easy Tex-Mex casserole dish everyone loves!
  • This recipe for baked pasta primavera is packed with vegetables and perfect for spring and summer!
BEST Tuna Casserole Recipe

If you post a photo, please tag me! I'd love to see the photo of your Tuna and Noodle Casserole! You can tag me with #bowlmeover or if you're on Instagram use @bowl_me_over I can't wait to see how yummy this turned out for you!

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

Baked until hot and bubbly then tucked under the broiler, Cheesy Tuna Casserole is an easy recipe the whole family will love. One of our favorite comfort food recipes!

Prevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Course: Lunch or Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 440 kcal

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  • 16 ounces egg noodles regular or whole wheat egg noodles can be used.
  • 10 ounces tuna packed in water, well drained - two cans
  • 7 ounces sliced mushrooms one can, well drained
  • 21 ounces cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken canned soup - you'lll need two cans.
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 cups cheese shredded
  • 1 ¼ cups half and half
  • ¾ cup dry bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoon butter divided
  • 2 tablespoon parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  • Boil egg noodles until just al dente (the package called for 7-8 minutes I boiled them for 6) in salted water. Drain well

  • Butter the baking dish using 1 tablespoon butter.

  • Drain the tuna and flake. Drain the mushrooms. Shred the cheese.

  • In a large bowl, mix the mushroom soup with the half and half.

  • Add the noodles, tuna, mushrooms, peas and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Mix everything together well and pour it in the buttered casserole dish.

  • Top with bread crumbs and drizzle the remaining melted butter over the crunchy topping. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top.

  • Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and place under the broiler for 3-4 minutes until the top is golden brown.

Make in advance - prepare the casserole as directed but do not add the topping. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Remove and allow the casserole dish to come to room temperature. Add the topping on and bake until hot and bubbly.

You can use a variety of items for the crunchy topping like potato chips, crushed pretzels, saltine cracks, goldfish crackers would be super fun!

Add ¼ of chicken broth for a super creamy casserole.

½ cup finely diced yellow onion will add a light oniony flavor.

Calories: 440 kcal | Carbohydrates: 36 g | Protein: 18 g | Fat: 24 g | Saturated Fat: 14 g | Cholesterol: 93 mg | Sodium: 810 mg | Potassium: 257 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 890 IU | Vitamin C: 10.1 mg | Calcium: 385 mg | Iron: 1.8 mg

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First published May 23, 2018 - Last updated June 25, 2022

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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I've been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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