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A steaming hot tuna noodle casserole in a baking dish, fresh from the oven.

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

This classic tuna noodle casserole is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a family meal. It features tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, and sweet peas all coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and topped with a buttery, crispy cracker crust.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Breakfast
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces egg noodles or rotini or penne
  • 2 cans tuna in water or oil 5 ounces each, drained
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter divided
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk whole milk or 2%
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground is best
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese plus more for topping if desired (American or Monterey Jack also work well)
  • 1 cup frozen peas no need to thaw
  • 1/2 cup crushed butter crackers like Ritz or breadcrumbs

Equipment

  • oven
  • large pot
  • large saucepan or Dutch oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add egg noodles and cook until al dente; drain well and set aside.
  3. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, then sprinkle in flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes to form a thick roux.
  4. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth, then continue whisking constantly for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and gently boils.
  5. Reduce heat to low, stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, then remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  6. Add drained tuna, cooked noodles, and frozen peas to the cheese sauce, then stir gently until everything is well combined and coated.
  7. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  8. Melt the remaining 1/4 cup of butter in a small bowl, stir in crushed crackers or breadcrumbs until coated, and sprinkle over the casserole; optionally, add an extra layer of shredded cheese.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Notes

For an extra golden crust, you can broil the casserole for the last few minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning. This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; simply add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.