Description
Comforting tuna noodle casserole brings classic American home cooking to the dinner table with creamy, cheesy goodness. Crispy breadcrumb topping and tender egg noodles make this nostalgic dish a family favorite you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (5 oz / 142 g) cans tuna, drained and flaked
- 12 oz (340 g) egg noodles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 375F (190C), establishing the perfect thermal environment for baking.
- Noodle Preparation: Cook egg noodles to al dente perfection, drain, and reserve for later integration.
- Flavor Foundation: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, creating a rich culinary base.
- Aromatic Layering: Sauté onions until translucent, releasing their delicate sweetness, then introduce minced garlic for depth of flavor.
- Vegetable Incorporation: Add frozen peas, warming them to inject vibrant color and nutritional value.
- Sauce Creation: Blend cream of mushroom soup, milk, and cheddar cheese, stirring until achieving a luxurious, smooth consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika to elevate the taste profile.
- Protein Integration: Fold in tuna, ensuring even distribution throughout the creamy mixture, then gently combine with prepared noodles.
- Casserole Assembly: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Crispy Topping: Mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter to create a golden, crunchy crown.
- Baking Finale: Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the casserole, bake for 20-25 minutes until achieving a beautiful golden-brown crust. Rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
- Optional Flourish: Garnish with fresh parsley for a final touch of color and flavor before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Mushy Noodles: Cook egg noodles just until al dente, as they’ll continue cooking in the oven and can easily become soggy if overcooked.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and season carefully to control salt levels, allowing the individual ingredients to shine.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap canned tuna with rotisserie chicken, salmon, or plant-based alternatives like white beans for dietary flexibility.
- Bread Crumb Crunch Technique: Toast panko breadcrumbs briefly in a dry skillet before mixing with Parmesan to intensify their golden, crispy texture and nutty flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 359
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 47 mg