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Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

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This Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is the perfect weeknight family dinner. It’s pure comfort food and a great way to stretch your food budget without compromising on taste.

I just realized that school starts next week here in beautiful Utah! (Yikes! Is it just me or did June and July last like 5 minutes?) It’s time to get back to “real life”.

Tuna noodle casserole

Part of “real life” is realizing that the family budget has been stretched to the MAX, and beyond, buying school clothes, new shoes, backpacks, supplies, and school fee’s! (Don’t even get me started on the insanity of Middle School and High School fee’s! The year I had all three in both…I thought I’d have to take out a second mortgage!) 

The last thing the budget can stand is more groceries!

That’s when I get down and dirty with meal planning! I go through the cupboards and write down everything I have on hand.

Then I make up a two-week menu trying to stretch things to the next paycheck! (By the way this still sometimes happens…even with an empty nest! Lol Don’t think you’re alone on that sinking ship…I’m right there with ya!) Enter Tuna Noodle Casserole…

How To Make Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

Start by cooking your pasta till “al dente”.  Always go “al dente” in a casserole, so the liquids you use can be absorbed. This is a casserole not soup! (Okay I just gagged thinking of a Tuna Noodle Soup!) 

Drain two cans of tuna, or one if one is all you have on hand, drain one can of sweet peas. (If you don’t like pea’s leave them out! I get it…y’all don’t like peas!) 

Place it all in a 2 quart baking dish. Add one can cream of celery soup, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of milk. Add salt and pepper to taste.

TIP: Just mix it all in the same dish you’re going to bake it in. Why wash another bowl?

Mixing tuna, soups, peas, sour cream and pasta.

Mix together until well blended. It should be nice and creamy. Don’t worry if it is a little “soupy”…remember that “al dente” pasta? You are good! No worries.

Tuna noodle casserole all mixed together

Smooth out evenly in the baking dish.

Tuna noodle casserole in the baking dish ready for the cheese and bread crumbs

Top with 1 cup grated mild cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with buttered bread crumbs.

Tuna casserole topped with cheese and bread crumbs

Place in a pre-heated 350° oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted, and dish is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

baked tuna noodle casserole

That’s it! Simple right? This is just one of those pure comfort food dishes. I can’t think of anything to make a child feel loved after a first day of school than a big heaping scoop of this Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole.

It’s so creamy, cheesy, and delicious!

serving of Tuna Noodle casserole on dinner plate

I like to serve this casserole with a big tossed green salad and fresh steamed vegetables from the garden, like squash or green beans. You could even do a side of fresh fruit. Don’t forget cookies for dessert! After all it is the first day of school.

I know what you’re thinking? “Norine! This isn’t a special recipe. It’s just simple ol’ Tuna Noodle Casserole!”

I’d beg to differ…it’s a casserole packed full of all the love I could find in my heart, and cupboard, to feed to my children, so their bellies were full.

I prayed at the time they wouldn’t realize Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboards were getting a little bare. That all they would see was another filling and yummy dinner on the table. A table full of love and laughter!

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

It’s still one of my favorite comfort foods. Maybe it’s the memories. Maybe it’s all the creamy goodness. Maybe it’s both!

If you liked this recipe you may also enjoy these other Comfort Dish Recipes

Happy Nesting!

Norine's Nest Signature
Yield: 8 servings

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

This Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is the perfect weeknight family dinner. It's pure comfort food and a great way to stretch your food budget without compromising on taste.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups pasta shells, or elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
  • 2 - 7 oz. cans solid white albacore tuna in water, drained
  • 1 cup canned sweet peas, drained
  • 1 can cream of celery soup
  • 1/2 cup of sour cream
  • 1/4 cup of milk
  • 1 cup grated cheese
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons melted butter
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Cook and drain pasta shells per package directions.
  3. In a 2 quart baking dish, mix together pasta, drained tuna, sweet peas, cream of celery soup, milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
  4. Spread evenly in baking dish.
  5. Cover with 1 cup of grated mild cheddar cheese
  6. Mix melted butter with 1/2 cup of bread crumbs. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of cheese.
  7. Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling.
  8. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8 servings

Serving Size:

1 serving

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 379Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 618mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 28g

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Linda Yoder

Saturday 18th of September 2021

Needed to use up some pantry items and decided to try this Tuna Casserole. Substituting tomatoes basil noodles and corn flakes.It's in the oven now! Can't wait to taste it. Thanks Norine!!

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Monday 20th of September 2021

Hi Linda! I love your additions! How did it turn out? I'd love to know. Thanks for sharing. Happy Nesting! Norine

Curtis

Thursday 28th of February 2019

Made the tuna casserole 2 weeks ago... Excellent! Trying chicken noodle casserole tonight. Just using chicken in place of tuna, and switching soup from cream of mushroom to cream of chicken.

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Friday 1st of March 2019

Hi Curtis! I'm so happy you liked the Tuna casserole! It's simple, easy, and one of my favorites. I even love the left overs! The chicken noodle sounds great. I love a good chicken noodle casserole too. Great way to stretch a dollar! Let me know how it turns out! Have a Great weekend and thanks so much for stopping by! ~Norine

Patti

Sunday 25th of February 2018

Great recipe! Peas gross me out so I cooked them on the side for hubs. Thanks for sharing.

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Thursday 8th of March 2018

Hi Patti! Peas are a love hate thing! Ya either love'em or ya hate'em. I think your idea is perfect to fit both personal tastes. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with me. Hope you enjoyed this casserole. Have a GREAT week! Happy Nesting! ~Norine

Little Quiltsong

Saturday 5th of August 2017

Comfort food at its best - thank you for sharing this recipe!

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