The BEST Tuna Noodle Casserole From Scratch
User Reviews
5.0
165 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
20 mins
-
Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
8
-
Calories
423 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
The BEST Tuna Noodle Casserole From Scratch
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The best classic tuna noodle casserole starts with a homemade sauce from scratch. This one is deliciously cheesy, creamy, and easy with no soup from a can.
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Ingredients
For the Bechamel Cream Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup minced shallots or onion
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 ½ cups cold milk , whole or 2% milkfat
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
For the Tuna Noodle Casserole
- ½ pound egg noodles
- 10 ounces canned tuna in oil or water , drained (2 cans)
- 2 cups grated provolone , about 4 ounces., or other white melty cheese such as mozzarella, fontina, gruyere, Monterey jack, or Italian blend
- 1 cup frozen peas , thawed
- 1 cup sliced green olives with pimentos , drained
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
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Instructions
To Make the Bechamel Cream Sauce
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and stir together until combined. Continue stirring until the mixture becomes golden and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Add the shallot or onion and bay leaves, stirring and cooking until the onion softens and releases moisture and loosens the roux, about 3 minutes.
- Whisk in the cold milk all at once and bring to a simmer. Whisk continuously while simmering gently, until the sauce thickens for about 10-15 minutes. Season with the kosher salt, adding more to taste, and stir in the nutmeg.
For the Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente and still chewy, about 2 minutes less cooking time than the package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta.
- Pour the drained pasta into a large mixing bowl with the bechamel cream sauce. Crumble the tuna over the pasta with the grated cheese, peas, olives, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently fold the mixture together. If the mixture feels too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of pasta water and fold to thin.
- Butter a 2-quart baking dish and pour the noodle mixture into the dish. In a small bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs with the Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Sprinkle evenly over the noodle mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for another 10 minutes until lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and warmed through. Remove from the oven and let stand for a few minutes to set before serving.
Notes
- If making the bechamel cream sauce ahead, cool, transfer to a container, and cover tightly before refrigerating for up to 5 days.
- To freeze this tuna noodle casserole, place the noodle mixture in an oven safe container (or containers), top with the bread crumb topping, and cover tightly with a lid. Freeze for up to 3 months. To cook, bake from frozen for 50-60 minutes or until warmed through and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
423kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
34g
(11%)
Protein
25g
(50%)
Fat
21g
(32%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Cholesterol
81mg
(27%)
Sodium
1083mg
(45%)
Potassium
362mg
(10%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
857IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
410mg
(41%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 423 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 423kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 1083mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 362mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 857IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 410mg | 41% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
165 reviews
Excellent
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