Description
This Best Easy Tuna Casserole is a classic comfort dish combining tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, creamy mushroom soup, and vibrant vegetables, all topped with a crunchy cheesy cornflake crust. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that serves 8 and satisfies the whole family.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound egg noodles
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup peas, frozen
Proteins and Dairy
- 2 cans tuna, packed in water
- 10.5 ounces Cream of Mushroom soup (1 can)
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
- 1 cup cornflakes, crushed
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375° F and grease a 13×9 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Egg Noodles: Boil water in a large pot and cook the egg noodles for half the time instructed on the package to ensure they remain firm. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, celery, and minced garlic, cooking until tender and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
- Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the drained tuna, cream of mushroom soup, milk, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, frozen peas, sautéed vegetables, cooked noodles, and salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour this mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly for uniform cooking.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed cornflakes, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and parsley. Drizzle the 2 tablespoons of melted butter over this mixture and stir to coat evenly.
- Add Topping to Casserole: Sprinkle the cornflake and cheese topping evenly over the casserole’s surface to create a crispy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with additional shredded cheddar cheese and parsley before serving to add extra flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Cooking noodles for half the recommended time ensures they don’t become mushy after baking.
- Rinsing noodles under cold water stops the cooking and prevents sticking.
- Using frozen peas adds sweetness and color; thawing is optional as they cook during baking.
- Crushing cornflakes gives the topping a delightful crunch.
- Fresh parsley adds freshness but can be substituted with dried parsley if unavailable.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and milk options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
