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Home » Recipes » Casserole Recipes

Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

Published: Jun 3, 2023 Last Updated: Sep 4, 2023 by Marye 1659 words. | About 9 minutes to read this article.

30 minutes mins
Tuna noodle casserole is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. Make this creamy, old-fashioned recipe with simple pantry ingredients in 30 minutes.
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This old fashioned recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Title image for Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole with text overlay.
When I need a little emotional recharge there's nothing like mom's tuna casserole to do the job!
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Tips
  • 📖 Variations
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 💬 Comments

If you use the jump to recipe button be sure to scroll back up for the variations, tips, and side dish suggestions.

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Easy tuna casserole recipe is made with simple pantry ingredients.
  • It's been loved by families just like yours for generations.
  • Quick to put together and you can make it ahead or freeze for later.

Old fashioned tuna noodle casserole is classic comfort food that's stood the test of time. The truth is that if you leave the cheese out you can have the ingredients for this nutritious meal stored in the pantry all the time!

Canned evaporated milk, dried milk powder, or non-dairy milk can stand in for fresh milk. I love these vintage recipes - they're as delicious as they are practical!

And, let's be honest - any casserole with potato chips on top is going to be a winner!

This simple casserole is a great option for those busy weekdays!

🧾 Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for old fashioned tuna casserole.

Keep these pantry staples on hand so you can whip up this easy casserole any time! It's one of our favorite recipes!

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Steps for making this tuna casserole recipe.
  1. Cook noodles in boiling, salted water. Add the cooked egg noodles, tuna, soup, 1 cup of cheese and milk to a large bowl. (Add in the optional ingredients if using). Mix gently.
  2. Spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. Gently spoon tuna mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese then sprinkle with potato chips.
Baked casserole is ready to be served.
  1. Bake this classic tuna noodle casserole for 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Remove the finished casserole from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything settle a bit and firm up so it's easier to serve.

🥫 Storage

Assemble ahead of time: You can assemble this old fashioned tuna casserole ahead of time (but leave off the potato chips), cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a day or two until you are ready to bake.

Store leftovers: Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or put leftover tuna casserole in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to reheat tuna casserole: I usually add a little milk to the casserole to make sure it's not dry. Cover with foil and reheat in a 350F oven. You can also heat individual servings in the microwave in 1 minute increments.

To freeze unbaked: You can freeze unbaked tuna noodle casserole as long as you leave the potato chip topping off of it. Prepare it through step 7 then let come to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. When you're ready to eat just thaw overnight in the refrigerator, remove the aluminum foil and plastic wrap, add the cheese and potato chips and bake as directed!

To freeze baked: Cover as above and freeze for up to 3 months. This is the least preferable way to store.

A serving of casserole being taken from the dish showing the creamy insides.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: Bake creamy casseroles in a slightly smaller, deeper casserole dish if you've had trouble with them drying out in the oven in the past. Add 10 - 15 minutes to baking time.

  • Canned tuna packed in oil has more flavor than tuna packed in water.
  • Use evaporated milk in this. It makes it creamier.
  • Use any kind of milk you like - even non-dairy.
  • Cook the noodles al dente because they're going to cook a bit more in the oven. This is especially true if you'll be assembling ahead of time or freezing.
  • Use the condensed cream of mushroom soup straight from the can - don't dilute it!
  • No need to thaw frozen peas before using them in tuna noodle casserole.
  • Use 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup if you like a creamier sauce. I do it this way and it's the best tuna casserole recipe ever! One can is traditional.

📖 Variations

There are a lot of ways to vary this recipe and substitute for ingredients you don't have or may not want to use.

  • Ritz crackers, saltine cracker crumbs, or breadcrumbs in place of the potato chips (I like Panko bread crumbs)
  • I love these crispy french fried onions on top
  • leave out the cheese
  • egg noodles are traditional but you can use any small pasta you like; elbow macaroni, farfalle, etc.
  • use Pepper Jack (yum!)
  • add ½ cup frozen peas
  • for extra creaminess stir ½ cup of sour cream to the soup before adding it to the noodles
  • use medium egg noodles
  • saute some diced onion and add
  • saute some diced bell pepper and add
  • add some pimentos
  • slice about ¼ cup celery, saute, and add
  • cream of celery soup, or any other cream soup you prefer can be used in place of the cream of mushroom soup

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Which tuna is best for tuna casserole?

Canned chunk light tuna or canned solid pack albacore tuna are my go-to products for this classic recipe. I prefer it packed in oil when possible.

When was tuna casserole popular?

This is a 1950s dish! It was a pantry meal that went together fast and let mom get back to watching the Jack Benny show.

Why is my tuna casserole dry?

Either you're over-baking it or you're not adding enough liquid. Try adding an extra ¼ cup of milk next time, or double the cream of mushroom soup.

What temperature should a casserole be heated to?

Always heat your casseroles to 165F in the center. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure it's a safe temperature all the way through.

Overhead view of a serving of this dish on a white plate.
Here's a plate of pure comfort food!

📚 Related recipes

There are plenty of other vintage casserole recipes here on the blog, although the tuna casserole is one of my very favorites!

  • Make this homemade white sauce if you prefer not to use cream of mushroom soup.
  • We love this easy, old fashioned chicken and noodles.
  • Old fashioned baked macaroni and cheese is a longtime favorite thats easy to make and always family friendly.
  • Close up of casserole dish with a serving removed.
    Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
  • The casserole on a white plate showing the layers of beef, vegetables, and cornbread.
    Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
  • Overhead view of the cassrole with a serving removed cropped square for feature image.
    Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
  • Casserole dish with a spoon in it.
    Cheesy Ham & Noodles Casserole

🍽️ Serve with...

Wondering what to serve with classic tuna casserole? Here are some great ideas!

I like to serve tuna casserole with either a crunchy green bean salad or southern green beans. When I have time I'll add buttermilk biscuits or soft breadsticks. This tangy, no bake lemon pie is the perfect, sweet ending!

📞 The last word

Tuna noodle casserole always brings back a lot of memories for me.

My mom didn't put cheese in it but I find that the cheese kind of kills any "fishy" flavor that might come through so I often will add at least a little bit.

This chicken casserole with Stovetop Stuffing is another old fashioned recipe we love.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Square feature image for this post - an overhead view of the casserole with a serving removed.
4.70 from 146 votes

Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

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Tuna noodle casserole is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. Make this creamy, old-fashioned recipe with simple pantry ingredients in 30 minutes.
Course Main Dish (Quick and Easy)
Cuisine American - Vintage
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings:6
Calories:526
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • mixing bowl
  • 2 quart casserole

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces egg noodles, depending on how much you like 6-12 ounces is fine.
  • 12 ounces albacore tuna, drained
  • 21 ounces cream of mushroom soup, or cream of celery
  • 1 cup evaporated milk, any type of milk may be used - even non-dairy
  • 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese, grated from a block
  • 1 cup potato chips, crushed

Optional

  • ½ cup peas
  • ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup celery, finely diced
  • 4 ounces pimento

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with no-stick spray.
  • Cook the egg noodles in boiling salted water until just done.
  • Drain.
  • Add the egg noodles, tuna, soup, ½ cup of cheese and milk to a large bowl. (Add in the optional ingredients if using)
  • Mix gently.
  • Gently spoon mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
  • Top with remaining cheese then sprinkle with potato chips.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
  • Let stand for about 5 minutes and then serve warm.

Notes

Storage:
Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or put leftover tuna casserole in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Expert Tips:
  • Bake creamy casseroles in a slightly smaller, deeper casserole dish if you've had trouble with them drying out in the oven in the past. Add 10 - 15 minutes to baking time.
  • Canned tuna packed in oil has more flavor than tuna packed in water.
  • Use evaporated milk in this. It makes it creamier.
  • Use any kind of milk you like - even non-dairy.
  • Cook the noodles al dente because they're going to cook a bit more in the oven. This is especially true if you'll be assembling ahead of time or freezing.
  • Use the condensed cream of mushroom soup straight from the can - don't dilute it!
  • No need to thaw frozen peas before using them in tuna noodle casserole.
  • Use 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup if you like a creamier sauce. I do it this way and it's the best tuna casserole recipe ever! One can is traditional.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 1214mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 344mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    🥄 Equipment

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

    • casserole dish
    • large pot
    • large bowl

    First published October 5, 2021. Last updated June 3, 2023 for editorial improvements and more helpful tips.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

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      Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    1. Julie Evink

      August 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      Nothing beats tuna casserole recipe! My kids request this over and over again. I'm happy because it's so easy to make!

      Reply
    2. Alyssa

      August 22, 2023 at 8:27 am

      I am so excited to try this tuna casserole recipe. I love the idea of adding the potato chips on top though. This is one of my favorite meals growing up, and I can't wait to share it with my kids !

      Reply
    3. Brenda Dickson

      August 18, 2023 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      This is just the tuna casserole recipe that I have been searching for! It is fabulous. Easy to prepare and tastes very delicious. Perfect comfort food too. I have made it six or seven times since I discovered it a couple of months ago. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    4. Camden Rusincovitch

      August 12, 2023 at 4:36 pm

      Tuna casserole with potato chips is such a good recommendation! This is super packed with flavor, what a gem.

      Reply
    5. Kristen Yard

      August 08, 2023 at 1:03 am

      This brings me right back to childhood! My mom constantly made her tuna casserole recipe when I was little--but never with potato chips! I would've been so excited, lol!

      Reply
    6. Kristen Yard

      August 08, 2023 at 12:39 am

      5 stars
      This tuna casserole recipe is the ultimate EASY fall comfort dish for school nights. I love how creamy it is, and that it's ready in just 30 minutes! The potato chips are an added bonus! 😉

      Reply
    7. Brittany

      August 06, 2023 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      My husband loves this tuna casserole recipe and leftovers pack so nicely for his lunchbox the next day!

      Reply
    8. Cynthia Rusincovitch

      August 06, 2023 at 1:40 pm

      I usually use breadcrumbs. I have never thought to use potato chips on top of the tuna casserole recipe. My kids would definitely like it better than my recipe. haha!

      Reply
    9. Emme

      April 25, 2023 at 5:38 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this quick and simple recipe! It was creamy and delicious.

      Reply
    10. Nancy J Rogers

      April 13, 2023 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious. Added a tsp of garlic powder and a tsp of onion powder. Was a big hit. Thanks for a great recipe.

      Reply
    11. David Hilton

      December 05, 2022 at 3:47 am

      5 stars
      Can't wait to try this, tuna noodle is my favorite second to swiss steak, comfort foods.

      Reply
    12. Kathy

      April 23, 2022 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      try green olives in it

      Reply

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