Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe (2024)

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4.45 from 9 votes

by SkinnyMs.

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Published: November 25, 2018 Last Updated: June 23, 2022

This cheesy casserole is delicious!

Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe (2)

Sometimes, you need a comforting meal that makes you feel like you’re having a cheat day. Don’t feel bad about it: We found a way for you to have your comfort without sacrificing nutrition! Ooey, gooey, cheesy baked perfection is what you’ll get with this Easy Tuna Casserole recipe. It mimics the delicious, creamy taste of tuna casseroles from days gone by, but this lightened-up version is much healthier than anything that was whipped up in your grandmother’s kitchen. Best of all, it is packed full with tuna, so you’ll enjoy the benefits of omega 3 fatsand lean protein while warming up with this delectable dish.

Traditional tuna casseroles have a tendency to be greasy, fattening, and all-around unhealthy. They also gets a bad rap for being an “old-fashioned” dish, or something most people have little use for these days. Despite its less-than-stellar reputation, sometimes you get a hankering for the comfort foods from your childhood! That’s when it’s time to turn to this Easy Tuna Casserole recipe.

Cheesy and Delicious

Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe (3)

You won’t believe that a meal this cheesy could also be healthy! Our Easy Tuna Casserole recipe is the perfect recipe to turn to when you’re looking for a tuna meal that’s out of the ordinary. Tuna is a great source of lean protein, but plain old tuna salad gets boring time after time. It’s also not alwaysthe right option when the weather is cold and blustery.

Mixing tuna with noodles and cheese gives this dish a rich, indulgent feel without all the unappealing aspects from other tuna casserole recipes. Instead of regular macaroni (which uses refined white flour), we opt for whole-wheat noodles. They contain plenty of complex carbohydrates to keep you feeling fuller for longer. We also snuck some veggies into the dish–mushrooms and peas–but don’t worry, this dish is so cheesy no one will notice!

Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe (4)

The other big change we made was to ditch the condensed soup. Most traditional casserole recipes use canned condensed soup, like cream of mushroom or cream of chicken. While there’s nothing wrong with cooking using that ingredient, it does happen to be very high in fat and sodium. Instead, we used low-fat cream cheese and milk to get the same result with significantly more nutrition.

If you are looking for a fun dish to bring to a party or office event, or you know your kids will love a gooey tuna casserole, try our Easy Tuna Casserole recipe. It’s a great lightened-up version of the comfort classic that everyone expects.

4.45 from 9 votes

Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe

This tasty and budget-friendly meal is perfect for a busy weekday, with nutritious ingredients both kids and adults will enjoy.

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Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Yield 6 people

Serving Size 1 cup

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Author SkinnyMs.

Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe (5)

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 4 cups whole wheat noodles cooked, macaroni was used in this recipe, egg noodles also will work
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion small, diced
  • 8 ounces mushrooms sliced, white or button (wipe clean)
  • 9 ounces solid white albacore tuna cans, in water, shredded (add tuna and water)
  • 1 cup green peas frozen
  • 8 ounces cream cheese low-fat, softened
  • 1 cup milk low-fat
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese reduced-fat, shredded (recommend block cheese)

Instructions

  • Preheat over to 375 degrees.

  • Note:If desired, add additional cheese to the top of the casserole before baking.

  • Cook noodles according to instructions on the package or al dente.

  • In a medium skillet add oil and sauté onions and mushrooms over medium-low heat until mushrooms begin to release moisture, about 10 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine sautéed onions and mushrooms and all remaining ingredients, reserving 1/2 cup cheddar cheese for the top.

  • Add the tuna mixture to a 3 quart casserole dish or 9" baking pan, top with the 1/2 cup of remaining cheddar cheese. Bake 15 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered, or until cheese is hot and bubbly.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 600mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 13

Keywords Budget-Friendly, High Protein, Kid-Friendly, Seafood

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Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is tuna noodle casserole made of? ›

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? ›

A possible reason for this is that you added too much pasta or not enough liquid. The pasta absorbs liquid, so you should use a generous amount of sauce to keep the dish moist. Your tuna casserole can also become dry due to overbaking.

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.

Does tuna noodle casserole freeze well? ›

The Good Way

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's the best pasta to use for tuna casserole? ›

Egg noodles is the pasta of choice for Campbell's, which is a company commonly associated with casseroles thanks to its line of condensed cream soups. Campbell's recipe also calls for milk, chopped pimiento, frozen green peas, canned tuna, butter, and breadcrumbs.

Is all canned tuna cooked? ›

There are around eight different commercial varieties that range in size from the small skipjack tuna to the large bluefin, and it is one of the most widely eaten fish in the world. Tuna can be eaten fresh – either raw or cooked – and canned (which is always pre-cooked).

Why doesn't canned tuna need to be cooked? ›

Once the cans are filled and sealed, they also undergo processing, which the USDA explains is the method by which commercially canned goods are heated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy harmful microorganisms. From there, the vacuum seal prevents new bacteria from forming.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Covering a casserole helps the dish cook evenly, stay moist, and prevents burning. Uncovering helps with browning, crisping and allowing for steam to release.

How do you thicken tuna casserole? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

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

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). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

How long can you eat tuna casserole? ›

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

Are you supposed to eat tuna casserole cold? ›

Store leftover tuna casserole in the fridge for up to 4 days. Serve cold or reheat in the microwave to serve warm.

How long will tuna casserole last in the refrigerator? ›

A few days in the fridge

Even with the best storage, it's important to remember that there is still a looming expiration date on your tuna casserole. According to Project Meal Plan, a cooked tuna casserole can last for about four days when kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long will tuna bake last in the fridge? ›

How long does tuna pasta bake keep? Tuna pasta bake can keep for around three days in the fridge. How can I make my tuna pasta bake healthy? With a few simple ingredient swaps, you can't enjoy something that's lighter, and healthier.

Should I thaw frozen casserole before baking? ›

Thawing the casserole first can help to ensure even baking—no icy centers allowed. The biggest mistake in this process is not giving yourself enough time. It's not advisable to attempt to thaw your casserole in the oven or in the microwave.

Where is tuna noodle casserole from? ›

Although most associated with 1950s Middle America, this iconic bootstrap recipe first popped up in the Pacific Northwest in 1930.

What is casserole made of? ›

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 casserole dishes made of? ›

“A casserole dish and a baking dish are the same thing, an oven-safe piece of cookware, usually made of ceramic, porcelain, or glass,” says Anthony Contrino, Emmy-awarded culinary producer and food stylist. "They can come in various shapes, with the most common being rectangular, oval, or square.

What are the components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese.

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