Classic Tuna Casserole.’

Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole is a classic comfort food that is on the dinner table in just 30 minutes, sure to become a new family favorite.

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It’s a simple and delicious dish made with canned tuna, noodles, and a creamy sauce, topped with buttery Ritz crackers like my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings like my Creamy Chicken Pasta. 

With a few simple ingredients and some simple techniques, you can make this tasty and satisfying cheesy tuna noodle casserole. Served with a side of my Ciabatta Garlic Bread, your whole family will be coming back for seconds. You may also like this Tuna Pesto Pasta for a twist!

Why this recipe works

Classic cheesy tuna casserole recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner made with simple pantry ingredients like my Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli. It’s a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, whether you prefer to add vegetables, spices, or different types of cheese. It’s also a nostalgic dish that many of us grew up with, and making it can bring back fond memories like my Salisbury Steak.

Ingredients for cheesy tuna casserole

Ingredients notes

• Pasta: Wide egg noodles are traditional but you can use any pasta you like.
• Cream of mushroom soup: Low sodium, you can also use cream of celery soup or cream of chicken soup.
• Cheese: I use mild white cheddar cheese, but mozzarella works great.
• Tuna: I like to use tuna packed in water.

How to make Old Fashioned tuna casserole

• Step 1: Cook noodles to 1 minute below al dente. Add the Ritz crackers to a ziplock bag and crush them using a rolling pin or a cup. Or you can put them in a food processor and pulse them until crushed.
• Step 2: Add the crushed crackers to a small bowl with the butter and parmesan cheese and mix until combined.

• Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soup, mayo, and milk until combined.
• Step 4: Heat a large skillet (oven-safe) on medium-high heat melt butter, add celery, onions, and garlic, and saute.

• Step 5: Add the pasta, tuna, cheese, and peas to the skillet.
• Step 6: Pour the sauce in.

• Step 7: Toss the cheesy tuna casserole until well combined.
• Step 8: Sprinkle the crushed crackers on top of the casserole and bake until golden brown!

Recipe tips

• Be sure to cook the noodles al dente because they’re going to cook a bit more in the oven.
•  I used cream of mushroom soup, but you could also use cream of celery or cream of chicken.
• We like peas in this dish. But you can add whatever veggies you have and it will be delicious.
• Mayonnaise or sour cream adds an extra creaminess to this tuna casserole recipe.
• I make the casserole all in one cast-iron skillet. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer it to a 9×13 casserole dish.