Ultimate Tuna Noodle Casserole

Yields:
4 - 6
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
If you're a 90's kid, it's likely that cheesy tuna casserole was your grade-school jam. We love it, not just because it is a budget-friendly way to used canned tuna, but it is decadently cheesy in the best way. We remember this dinner-table favorite fondly—we instantly get visions of a just-out-of-the-oven, breadcrumb-encrusted, melty tuna casserole just thinking about it.
We love combinations of cheddar and parmesan, but you could use any melty cheese here, like pepper jack for a bit of spice or gruyere for a little Swiss funkiness. If you're looking for other ways to use tinned tuna, give this one-pan pasta a try.
If you do make this classic casserole, let us know how you like it in the comments below!
Editor's note: This intro was updated to add more information about the dish on August 9th, 2022.
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Ingredients
- 8 oz.
Extra Broad Noodles
- 3 Tbsp.
butter, divided
- 1/2
medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2
celery stalks, chopped
- 1 pt.
cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp.
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 Tbsp.
flour
- 3/4 cup
low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup
whole milk
- 1 Tbsp.
lemon juice
- 1
6-oz. can water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 cup
white cheddar, grated
- 1/2 cup
freshly grated Parmesan, divided
- 2 Tbsp.
Freshly Chopped Parsley
- 2 Tbsp.
freshly chopped dill
- 2 Tbsp.
freshly chopped chives
- 1/4 cup
panko bread crumbs
Directions
- Step 1Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain.
- Step 2Preheat oven to 375°. In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add onion, celery, and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Step 3Sprinkle over flour and cook until cooked through, 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and whole milk and bring to a simmer. Let thicken for 2 to 3 minutes, then turn off heat.
- Step 4Stir in lemon juice, tuna, cheddar, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and herbs and mix to combine.
- Step 5In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt remaining tablespoon of butter. Mix with panko and remaining Parmesan and sprinkle over top of noodles. Bake until bubbly and golden, 17 to 19 minutes.
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