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!
Phyllis
This was delicious! It’s very similar to a recipe I had years ago and somehow lost. I did add a second can of tuna, used extra wide noodles (that’s what I had) and cream of celery. I also sprinkled the chips with smoked paprika. My husband also really enjoyed it.
Susan K
I made this recipe using a can of salmon after I realized I didn’t have the tuna fish I thought I had. It turned out AMAZING!! This is my favorite tuna noodle casserole!
Vera
I had this almost every week growing up because it was an inexpensive meal. The only difference was that my mom added one or two cooked eggs, delicious! Never got tired of it, still making it 55 years later. 👍
Cheyanna
How how long will this last in the fridge once cooled
Can leftovers be frozen and how to reheat is the microwave ok
Teena McElroy
My 1st crockpot meal in the 70’s was Tuna Noodle Casserole. It was always so good. This recipe sounds closer than any I have seen. We added a small can of sliced mushrooms. Don’t remember adding cheese or potato chips.
Diann
I have made this twice and love it! The first time I thought it was dry and realized this time when I went to make it, I needed two cans of soup. I made it minus the cheese and peas.
Kelly
I have been making this recipe for years and we absolutely love it. I like to add the thicker frozen noodles. Delicious
Laura Lee
Love, Love it! Thank you for the step by step pictures, helpful for not so confident chefs. You have a follower😊
Brian S
Hi, this a great recipe and the note about cream of celery etc are spot on. But here’s one you don’t see and a must try. Are you ready? I learned this from an old girlfriend. I never make it ever without it now. Ad a jar of diced pimento. It is a game changer. Give it a try you won’t be disappointed. Again your recipe is outstanding.
Thanks for sharing
Brian
JML
Thank you. Inspired idea adding pimento!
Christina
Our family doesn’t seem to like tuna so we made it with chicken and it was delicious. My picky kids even loved it.
Anne Davis
This was a very creamy, flavorful tuna casserole, with use of budget-friendly ingredients. Since there are just my husband and myself, I halved the recipe, and we still have great leftovers for another meal.
I did add extra seasoning–garlic pepper and Dash seasoning to the soup/sour cream mixture. Like others, I omitted the mayo. We like a little warmth in much of our cooking, so I finely diced a small jalapeno (only adding a few seeds) to incorporate. Since that added a little color, we had the green peas as a side dish. Thanks for sharing a memory-maker.
Tony Provencher
I’ve made this twice before and the family loved it.I add smoked paprika on the top before the topping. The topping I put on is with fried onions with panko bread crumbs mixed together with shredded parmigiana cheese. Now that I said that I’m making it tonight.
Krista
What can I use in place of sour cream? I don’t have any.
Mary Neumann
Here’s a good resource to bookmark for substitutes, Krista: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/g35282914/sour-cream-substitute/
Grapenutquilter
Just leave it out. I do along with mayo. My family likes it better without.
Jayne
Delicious and brings back many memories of meals with my family…
Jean W.
I made this leaving off only the potato chips and using only half of the onions. Absolutely delicious!!! Made for my new boyfriend, first meal I’ve cooked for him, and it was a hit!
Beth
I made this casserole exactly according to the recipe. It was absolutely the BEST tuna casserole I have ever tasted. My family loved it also. It was easy to make and delicious. The leftovers was also great. I will make again and again.
Bonnie J. Kelly
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