Today I am sharing an old school classic and family favorite – Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole! Comfort food at its best!
OLD FASHIONED TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE (RAVE REVIEWS)
Egg noddles in a delicious creamy mushroom soup sauce tossed with tuna, sauteed onions, peas and cheddar cheese, topped with crushed potato chips then baked to perfection…just like grandma used make. Old school comfort food at its best.
Read rave reviews from people who tried this recipe on Pinterest! This is the BEST tuna casserole recipe!
If you were a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s, there’s a good chance this casserole was served often at the dinner table – it was a staple in our home. This recipe was passed down from my grandma and has changed a smidgen over the years but still remains a classic.
Old school comfort food at its best! Simple to make, so good.
What You Need To Make Tuna Casserole
Egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, solid white albacore tuna, yellow onion, butter, peas, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper and potato chips.
HOW TO MAKE TUNA CASSEROLE
Place casserole on middle rack of oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes uncovered, until casserole is completely heated through. Enjoy!
Pinnable Image
Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles (not extra wide), slightly under cooked with a little firmness *under cook about 2 minutes less than according to package
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 12 ounce can solid white albacore tuna in water, drained well
- 2 cans (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup – OR make homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (like Hellmann’s – not Miracle Whip)
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup crushed potato chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Prepare egg noodles, making sure to slightly under cook them by 2 minutes so they are slightly firm. Drain well.
Place casserole on middle rack of oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes uncovered, until casserole is completely heated through. Enjoy!
Tips
There are many variations for tuna casserole – you can easily adapt this recipe to your liking:
- I love tuna casserole served with a wedge of lemon to squeeze on top
- omit onion and peas if you do not care for them
- add some sauteed celery if you like
- instead of potato chips, top with bread crumbs, French fried onions or top with extra cheddar cheese if you want it super cheesy
- use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom or mix in a can of cream of celery with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken
- jazz it up with spices
- not a fan of tuna…substitute with chicken
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cheers!
Kay
Is it safe for tuna to be mixed in the UNBAKED casserole overnight and baked the following evening for dinner?
Cathy
This is delicious as is but I have made it with cooked and shredded chicken instead of tuna also amazing. I love that you can add different spices veggies etc. so versatile! Thanks for a great recipe🥰
Lisa
This is such a great recipe! I followed everything up until the end. Instead of doing a layer of cheese which I like on the top, I froze some cheese for about an hour and the added it to the crushed chips. Turned out better than any other Tuna Casserole I’ve had. Thank you. I will be making over and over now.
Michelle
Absolutely delicious! Have made several times!
Marie
Are the peas frozen or frozen then cooked before mixing them in?
Frances Foreman
You suggested making your own mushroom soup for the casserole.How do you do that, as I am Lactose Intolerant and need to not use cream of mushroom soup>I could make it with Lactose free milk/and or Lactose free sour cream, of which I keep on hand.Please let me know the answer to this.How will I ever find the answer again? Just send me an email with the answer.Thanks,
Wanda
Ingredients? Quality? Do you use 1 can of tuna? 1 can of soup? How much onion, mayonnaise? Details!
Mary Neumann
Wanda – the FULL recipe is above with a print option.
Janice
It lists all the quantities, you just have to scroll down a bit.
Mary Jo
Absolutely delicious! Will make again and again!
Nancy M Nelson
everything looks so great. would love all the receipes .
Annette Kreamer
I want your Recipe please that is so Good.
Denise Fresh
how many servings does this recipe make?
Mary Neumann
Hi Denise, it depends on the serving size – 4-6 people.
Jerry
Can frozen peas be used here?
Mary Neumann
Yes you can, Jerry.
Martha
Can this be assembled a day ahead and then baked the day of?
Mary Neumann
Yes it can, Martha!
Hooper
This is a great recipe! I changed it a little but kept the main ingredients the same. I used a veggies rotine, less gluten, and used mozzarella cheese instead of the cheddar, because that is what I had. Best tuna casserole ever, thank you
LINDA BUDDEMEYER
I don’t have mayo, but do have Miracle Whip. What will it do to the taste if I use it?
Mary Neumann
I do not recommend Miracle Whip, Linda. You could sub it with more sour cream.
Helen
I make one similar to this only instead of peas I use chopped green pepper. It’s amazing. Very rarely any leftovers. I don’t cook the onions or green peppers to give a little crunch.
Toni
My mother has NEVER liked the Tuna Noodle Casserole my dad has always made. I hadn’t found this out until AFTER I had made your recipe and she said it was delicious!! The whole family loved it too! I’m making it again for Christmas dinner and she has made me swear to make it using your recipe. Thanks for sharing your fantastic recipe! It’s a keeper!!
Barbara
Do you cook the peas before adding it to the casserole?
Kathy
No. I never have.
Jane Stein
Can this casserole be frozen?
Lisa
Can you put in the fridge before cooking
Mary Neumann
Yes, it just may take a little longer to bake if you place it in the oven cold.
Gob_Slob
Honestly. I have to give you huge props. I’ve been using online recipes and this format you have created is amazing. Step by step pictures were awesome. Kind of like lego instructions…. add whats missing, BOOM. And then at the end you have alternative hints/tips. These will help people branch out and become creative with recipes. Huge high five. And I haven’t even started to make it. Lol
Shaun
Best tuna casserole we’ve had. Only thing I added was capers. 😋
AmA
I used to make this in the 50’s and 60’s when Catholics were not allowed to eat meat on Friday’s. Family loved it and it was inexpensive
Barbara Cunningham
It’s not often that I’m looking for good casserole recipes; however, your post of The Best Tuna Casserole sounded good. However, I soon realized that I only had one of cream of mushroom soup. That’s when a wee bit of creativity was needed. To replace the one can I was missing, I substituted Hell of a Good French Onion dip and a bit of soup cream. Great modification, to which I added a little celery salt. The end result is now one of my Go-To easy weeknight dinners!
Kelly Lee
Using sharp or extra sharp cheddar knocks up the flavor to a new level!
Susan G
I put Durkee onion rings some what crushed up instead of chips,so good!
Terryn0522
I made The Old Fashioned Noodle Casserole. It was very good. I added 1 tsp of oregano and about 1/2 tsp of onion powder. I also used penne pasta instead of egg noodles. I liked that it was very creamy. I also topped it with French fried onion rings. I will definitely make this again