Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (2024)

Published March 25, 2022.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

You will be blown away at the flavor of this incredible homemade tuna noodle casserole recipe using fresh ahi. This dish will instantly become a new family favorite once they try it.

I absolutely love to eat seafood as it’s such a light delicious protein option. If you’re looking to expand your horizon in the seafood department, then for sure try my Honey-Garlic Salmon or Fish-Fry recipe.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (1)

Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole is a simple dish consisting of a creamy mushroom sauce, noodles, peas, and tuna that are combined and baked with a cheesy breadcrumb topping. It can be easily customized and in fact, can be taken from its original recipe to a modernized fresh version like this one.

According to tastecooking.com, Tuna casserole is said to have been created in the state of Washington in the 1930s. There was a recipe in Sunset Magazine that featured a recipe called, “Noodles and Tuna Fish en Casserole.” It didn’t become popularized in America until the 1950s and has been on dinner tables ever since. However, I decided to take the early recipe to the next level.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Tuna – Use fresh tuna for this recipe. See notes on options.
  • Noodles – I prefer to use a grown-up noodle like cavatappi or fusilli.
  • Oil – Any olive oil or neutral flavored oil will work.
  • Onions – I like to use shallots here, but you can use yellow, white, red, or sweet onions.
  • Garlic – 2 finely minced garlic cloves are needed and will help greatly improve the flavor of the sauce.
  • Mushrooms – I used a combination of buttons, baby bellas, and portobello’s, but all fresh wild mushrooms are good to use in this recipe.
  • Wine – A good white wine like chardonnay, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc will work great. This is optional and if wine cannot be consumed, simply skip the procedure.
  • Flour – You will need all-purpose flour to help make a roux.
  • Milk – Use whole milk as it will provide the most fat and flavor.
  • Herbs – Fresh thyme and flat leaf parsley is used in this dish.
  • Breadcrumbs – Any plain breadcrumbs will work.
  • Butter – Always unsalted butter and this is used to help with the sauce.
  • Cheese – I like to use aged yellow and white cheddars, but you can get creative by using gouda, parmesan, gruyere, or another favorite. Avoid blue cheese, goat cheese, or feta cheese.
  • Lemon – This will help add some acid to the flavor of the tuna.

How to Make Tuna Noodle Casserole from Scratch

Follow these step-by-step instructions for making this amazing homemade tuna noodle casserole recipe from scratch:

In a large rondeau pot with olive oil over high heat caramelize the mushrooms until well browned, which takes about 7-8 minutes.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (2)

Next, turn the heat down to medium and scrape the mushrooms to one side of the pan add butter, shallots, garlic, and celery to the other side of the pan and cook until lightly browned and starting to tenderize, which takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (3)

Mix everything together and then deglaze with white wine and cook until the liquid is almost gone.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (4)

Stir in the flour to create a roux and then pour in the milk and turn to high heat to activate the roux to help thicken up the sauce.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (5)

Finish the sauce with thyme, salt, and pepper and mix until combined. Set aside and keep warm.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (6)

In a frying pan add some olive oil over high heat and sear a piece of seasoned fresh tuna for 3-4 minutes per side or until very browned on both sides and almost cooked throughout.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (7)

Set the tuna aside on a cutting board, squeeze on some lemon juice and then chop the tuna into large 1” chunks. Set aside.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (8)

Add 1 pound of cooked noodles to the rondeau pot with the mushroom sauce and then add in the cooked tuna and 1 cup of peas and mix until combined.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (9)

Transfer the mixture to a 13×9 casserole dish and flatten it out.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (10)

Sprinkle on shredded cheese and then top off with breadcrumbs and bake in the oven at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked. Suppose you like your tuna noodle casserole extra creamy, my recommendation is to place it under the broiler for 4 to 7 minutes or just until the breadcrumbs are lightly toasted and the cheese is melted, instead of baking it in the oven. This procedure will allow for a creamy casserole with a slightly toasted top.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (11)

Optionally garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (12)

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can make this recipe up to 30 minutes ahead of time, just keep it warm covered in the oven at 200°.

How to Store: Cover and store it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Cover and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating and serving.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount to a saucepan and cover with foil. Bake in the oven at 350° for 8-12 minutes or until hot.

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (13)

chef notes + tips

  • If fresh tuna is not available, you can use frozen tuna that has been thawed.
  • Use 1 pound of canned drained tuna if frozen or fresh is not an option.
  • Other noodle options are farfalle, penne, or macaroni.
  • Tuna Casserole almost always gets dried out if there is not enough sauce. Feel free to add a cup of the hot leftover pasta water from cooking the noodles to help loosen up and moisten.
  • You can just use yellow or just white cheddar cheese for this recipe.
Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (14)

More Fish Recipes

  • Pan Seared Halibut
  • Salmon Patties
  • Grilled Swordfish
  • Baja Fish Tacos
  • Fish Fry

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (15)

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Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (16)

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5 from 12 votes

You will be blown away at the flavor of this incredible homemade tuna noodle casserole recipe using fresh ahi.

Servings: 12

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

For the Casserole

  • 5 tablespoons oil
  • 4 cups sliced mushrooms, buttons, baby bellas, and portabella mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 peeled and small diced shallot
  • 2 finely minced garlic
  • 2 small diced ribs of celery
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1 pound cavatappi or fusilli pasta
  • 1 pound fresh tuna fillet
  • juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 cup of peas
  • 1 cup shredded yellow cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded white cheddar
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the Breadcrumb Topping

  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup unsalted melted butter
  • ¼ cup shredded yellow cheddar
  • ¼ cup shredded white cheddar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.

  • In a large rondeau pot add 3 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat and add the mushrooms to caramelize or well browned, which takes about 7-8 minutes stirring every 2 minutes or so.

  • Next, turn the heat down to medium and scrap the mushrooms to one side of the pan add 1 tablespoon of butter, shallots, garlic, and celery to the other side of the pan and sauté until lightly browned and starting to tenderize, which takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

  • Mix everything together and then deglaze with white wine and cook until the liquid is almost gone, which takes about 1 to 2 minutes.

  • Stir in the flour completely with the vegetables to create a roux and then pour in the milk and turn to high heat to activate the roux to help thicken up the sauce.

  • Once the sauce is thickened, which will almost immediately happen once it begins to boil, finish it with thyme, salt, and pepper and mix until combined. Turn the heat off and set aside.

  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to its instructions. Drain and run cold water over the noodles until cool and then set aside.

  • Season the tuna on both sides with salt and pepper and then sear in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side or until very browned on both sides and almost cooked through out.

  • Set the tuna aside on a cutting board, squeeze on some lemon juice and rest for 1 to 2 minutes before chopping the tuna into large 1” chunks. Set aside.

  • Add the cooked noodles to the rondeau pot with the mushroom sauce and then add in the cooked tuna and 1 cup of peas and mix until combined.

  • Transfer the mixture to a 13×9 casserole dish and flatten out.

  • Breadcrumbs: in a medium-size bowl mix together the breadcrumbs with melted butter and ¼ cup each of shredded cheddar cheeses.

  • Sprinkle on the 1 cup each of shredded cheddar cheese and then top off with breadcrumb-cheese topping and bake in the oven at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked.

  • Suppose you like your tuna noodle casserole extra creamy, my recommendation is to place the casserole under the broiler for 4 to 7 minutes or just until the breadcrumbs are lightly toasted and the cheese is melted, instead of baking it in the oven. This procedure will allow for a very creamy casserole with a slightly toasted top.

  • Optionally garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

Make-Ahead: You can make this recipe up to 30 minutes ahead of time, just keep it warm covered in the oven at 200°.

How to Store: Cover and store it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Cover and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating and serving.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount to a saucepan and cover with foil. Bake in the oven at 350° for 8-12 minutes or until hot.

If fresh tuna is not available, you can use frozen tuna that has been thawed.

Use 1 pound of canned drained tuna if frozen or fresh is not an option.

Other noodle options are farfalle, penne, or macaroni.

Tuna Casserole almost always gets dried out if there is not enough sauce. Feel free to add a cup of the hot leftover pasta water from cooking the noodles to help loosen up and moisten.

You can just use yellow or just white cheddar cheese for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 504kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 25gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 302mgPotassium: 493mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1463IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 305mgIron: 2mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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21 comments

    • sue
    • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (17)

    On yes yum oh recipe as always thank you Chef Billy thank you 😁😋

    • Reply
    • richard dubriske

    Where are the Potato Chips?

    • Reply
    • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (18)

        what potato chips?

        • Reply
      • Jackie
      • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (19)

      This is delicious

      • Reply
      • J. Kling
      • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (20)

      Another winner from chef Parisi!

      This recipe also is close to how I usually make it, but I never bother to write down amounts, and often vary it slightly. It was nice to have a recipe with actual quantification and steps, rather than just going by rote. This casserole is just the right combination of umami (mushrooms, cheese, tuna), bright elements (vegetables, lemon juice), and texture (crunchy topping, cheesy layer).

      One suggestion I would make is to dice a half a red bell pepper to add to the celery mixture, which gives both color and sweetness. Another sub I made was to use crumbled Ritz crackers and commercial fried onions instead of breadcrumbs for the topping: the onions give an extra something.

      The sauce was perfect, and the ratio of vegetables, pasta, sauce, and tuna is spot on.

      • Reply
      • Karen Carron
      • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (21)

      I made this yesterday and loved it!

      • Reply
      • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (22)

          awesome!

          • Reply
        • Renee
        • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (23)

        Delicious.

        • Reply
        • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (24)

            so good!!

            • Reply
          • Diane Israel
          • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (25)

          This tastes amazing. It took me awhile to make it but I loved it!!!

          • Reply
          • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (26)

              Excellent!

              • Reply
            • Audrey
            • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (27)

            Wonderful recipe. Brings back memories of my Grandma’s cooking..❤️

            • Reply
            • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (28)

                so good!!

                • Reply
              • Nancy Louthen
              • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (29)

              This was so much better than I ever expected! I used to be ashamed to serve the lowly tuna casserole to my family. But now, with this recipe, I am proud to serve it even to company!

              • Reply
              • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (30)

                  excellent!

                  • Reply
                • Christine

                Thank you chef for making this recipe from scratch. I am getting tired of the cream of soup recipes. I can’t wait to try this. Like always you never disappoint .

                • Reply
                • Marla D.
                • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (31)

                It was fantastic! Creamy comfort food for sure!

                • Reply
                • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (32)

                    Perfect!

                    • Reply
                  • Lynette Geisinger
                  • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (33)

                  Not yo Mammas Tuna Casserole! Nope! This is lighter and delicious! The combination of fresh Mushrooms and Tuna is perfect. I forgot the garlic but didnt miss it. The crunchy breadcrumb cheese topping is to die for! Try this out, you won’t regret it! Yum! Thanks Chef!

                  • Reply
                  • James Wilson
                  • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (34)

                  Just made this it week. It was delicious!! Best Tuna casserole I ever had!

                  • Reply
                  • Catrina Watkins
                  • Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (35)

                  I love Tuna Casserole 😋.
                  Thanks so much for this recipe

                  • Reply
                Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe from Scratch (2024)

                FAQs

                What are the list of ingredients for tuna noodle casserole? ›

                Use 2 cans soup, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup pimiento, two 12-ounce cans tuna, 6 ounces (about 4 cups) egg noodles, 2 tablespoons bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon butter. Bake in a 2-quart casserole for 30 minutes or until hot, then for another 5 to brown the bread crumb mixture.

                Why is my tuna casserole so dry? ›

                Your tuna casserole can also become dry due to overbaking. Even if it turns out perfect when you first cook it, it may still dry out when you reheat it. Luckily, these mistakes are quite easy to fix. For example, adding fewer noodles or just a little bit more sauce can help restore moisture and enhance the flavor.

                How do you moisten leftover tuna casserole? ›

                Alternatively, Foods Guy recommends adding a splash of water or chicken stock to your casserole and covering it with plastic wrap before microwaving, which will add new moisture and lock in the steam, ensuring a perfectly moist reheated tuna casserole.

                What is smart ones tasty american favorites tuna noodle casserole? ›

                Smart Ones Tuna Noodle Casserole offers a quick meal solution for lunch or dinner. Our savory meal features chunks of tuna, mafalda pasta and peas in a creamy sauce topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Each meal contains 270 calories, 12 grams of protein and 8 WW Points® per serving.

                What is the main ingredient in a casserole? ›

                In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

                What are the 5 parts needed for a casserole? ›

                According to food blog High Heeled Homemaker, your basic casserole requires five ingredients: a protein, starch, vegetable, sauce, and cheese. If you have those five ingredients in your casserole dish, congratulations; you just made a casserole, whether it's a beloved recipe or a concoction of your own creation.

                How to make a casserole less dry? ›

                How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating. Allow the liquid to seep in between the casserole and the baking dish, without overflowing. Cover the top with aluminum foil.

                How do you thicken tuna casserole? ›

                Tuna casserole is thickened by making a roux out of butter, olive oil and flour, then whisking in milk and chicken broth. The sauce is simmered until thickened to desired consistency. The sauce will reduce and thicken as it simmers, so for a thicker sauce, simply simmer longer.

                How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

                Covering a casserole (whether with a lid or with aluminum foil) is important because it helps keep moisture and heat inside the baking dish. This encourages even baking throughout, ensuring that noodles come out perfectly al dente and cheese melts uniformly.

                How many days is tuna noodle casserole good for in the refrigerator? ›

                Store your leftover tuna noodle casserole in a shallow, airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat thoroughly in the oven or in the microwave.

                Can I eat tuna casserole that was left out overnight? ›

                Keep food cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice or use small serving trays and replace them often. Discard any cold leftovers that have been left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F).

                How long can tuna noodle casserole sit out? ›

                If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher).

                What method should be used to cool tuna casserole? ›

                Ice bath: If you need to cool the tuna casserole quickly, you can use an ice bath. Fill a sink or a larger container with cold water and ice cubes. Place the dish containing the casserole in the ice bath, making sure the water level does not go above the container's rim.

                Who makes frozen tuna casserole? ›

                Tuna Noodle Casserole Frozen Meal | Official STOUFFER'S®

                Can you freeze cooked tuna noodle casserole? ›

                Lastly, you can freeze cooked tuna casserole if you cannot eat it within 3-4 days. Whether it's fresh out of the oven or leftovers, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If straight from the oven, allow it to cool completely before sealing it so it doesn't continue to cook.

                What are the main ingredients in canned tuna? ›

                Finally, despite being canned, many brands of canned tuna are minimally processed, containing only tuna, water or oil, and salt. Some brands may also add seasonings or broth for extra flavor. Canned tuna is an inexpensive, low calorie source of protein and other important nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids.

                What are the 4 parts of a casserole? ›

                Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

                What are the ingredients in tuna chunks? ›

                Ingredients
                • Tuna [Fish],
                • Water,
                • Salt.

                What is tuna pasta made of? ›

                Canned tuna is tossed with chopped tomatoes, olives, red onions, capers, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice, and then tossed again with hot fusilli pasta and shredded mozzarella cheese. The hot pasta melts the cheese into the tuna mixture.

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