This is the ultimate tuna noodle casserole made from scratch with no canned soup. It has savory tuna, egg noodles, creamy cheesy sauce, sweet peas, and a buttery ritz cracker topping.
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This is one of my favorite meatless casseroles that I don’t make often enough. Making it homemade without canned soup, is hands down worth the effort.
Let’s make it step-by-step.
Ingredients
Tuna - I chose canned chunk light in water, but albacore or the packets are great alternatives.
Egg Noodles - Look for the wide or medium size.
Broth - To keep the casserole meatless low sodium vegetable is recommended. Chicken broth can be also used it preferred.
Flour - All-purpose to thicken the creamy sauce.
Milk - Whole or creamy half and half.
Vegetables - Frozen sweet peas, yellow onion, celery, and mushrooms.
Cheese - Cheddar or Colby Jack, is recommended.
Crackers - Any butter flavored crackers would be delicious. I like Ritz with a hint of salt.
Butter- Unsalted or salted.
Spices and Seasoning - Salt, black pepper, onion, and garlic powder, are classic options.
Canned Tuna Options
Solid white tuna: Solid white tuna has a firm and flaky texture, and a mild and slightly sweet flavor.
Solid light tuna: Solid light tuna has a lighter and more delicate flavor and texture than solid white tuna.
Chunk light tuna: Chunk light tuna is usually packed in oil or water. It has a chunkier and more varied texture than solid light tuna, and a slightly stronger flavor.
Albacore tuna: Albacore tuna has a firmer and meatier texture.
Mix In's and Toppings
If you would like to add more flavor to this delicious casserole, try these options. Most can be used in when baking and others as a topping when serving.
- Onion Soup Mix - a couple tablespoons
- Dried Minced onion
- Pecorino Romano
- Parmesan Cheese
- Green Onion
- Olives
- Italian Parsley
- Bell Peppers
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Extra Sautéed Mushrooms and Celery
- Crispy Fried Onions
- Crushed Potato Chips or Cornflakes
- Sour Cream
- Crispy Bacon
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables or Broccoli
- Breadcrumbs or Panko
Love Casseroles? Check out the Viral Chicken Cobbler, Knorr’s Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, No Peek Chicken, Chicken Fajita, Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Casserole, and Chicken Stuffing Casserole.
Cooking The Egg Noodles
When you are making any type of pasta casseroles, don’t over cook the noodles. I recommend boiling to an al dente texture or 2 less than the package suggestions.
The egg noodles continues to cook a bit more in the oven and when it’s cooling.
Cream Sauce & Substitution Options
To make the ultimate tuna casserole making a homemade cream sauce is key. If you do want to save time substitute canned cream soups and omit the sautéed vegetables. Popular options include cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cream of chicken.
You'll need two 15oz cans and one cup of milk.
How To Serve
This is a great one pan meal with a starch and a protein. Since the oven is going, you can roast vegetables as a side dish or bake bread rolls. Serve with a green salad and fruit.
Leftovers & Storage
After enjoying this tuna noodle casserole, store the leftovers covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. During thawing the texture may change a bit, because of the dairy-based ingredients.
Reheat in the microwave or the oven covered in foil.
Step By Step Instructions and Photos
Cook The Egg Noodles
- Cook dry egg noodles to al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
- Strain and dump into in a large mixing bowl. Toss with butter or oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make Ritz Cracker Topping
4. In a mixing bowl add crushed ritz crackers and ¼ cup melted butter. Mix well with a fork. Set aside.
Prep and Cook Vegetables
5. Grab the mushrooms, onion, and celery.
6. Prep the vegetable (celery, mushroom and onion) by chopping them into very small pieces. Use a food processor or a cutting board and knife.
7. In a large saucepan or pot on medium heat add about ¼ cup of butter.
8. Add chopped vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes.
9. Remove the vegetable and place them into the bowl with the cooked egg noodles. Along with the canned tuna and frozen sweet peas.
10. Mix ingredients well and set aside.
Make The Creamy Cheesy Sauce
11. In the same pot or large saucepan that the vegetable were cooked in add ½ cup or 1 stick of butter. The heat should be medium-high.
12. When the butter has melted add the flour.
13. Cook for 2 minutes, mixing frequently with a whisk for even cooking.
14. Pour in the vegetable broth and mix, it will be a thicken paste.
15. Whisk in the milk or half and half. It will be a thicken creamy mixture
16. Cook for 2 minutes, mixing frequently. Add salt, pepper, and spices of choice.
17. Sprinkle in the shredded cheese.
18. Mix until melted and remove the mixture from the heat.
19. Carefully pour the cream sauce into the egg noodle mixture.
20. Mix well with a rubber spatula.
Layer and Bake
21. Place creamy noodle mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish. Spread into a single layer.
22. Sprinkle buttered ritz crackers topping onto the casserole.
23. Place into the oven uncovered and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
24. Let cool and Enjoy.
Tuna Noodle Casserole From Scratch
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Measuring Tools (Cups)
- Mixing Spoon or Rubber Spatula
- Cheese Grater
- Saucepan or Pot
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Food Processor or Cutting Board & Knife
Ingredients
- 8 oz Egg Noodles, dry
- 3 5oz Canned Tuna
- 1 cup Butter (2 Sticks)
- 1 ½ cups Vegetable Broth
- ½ cup Flour
- 2 cups Whole Milk or Half and Half
- 1 cup Cheddar or Colby Jack, shredded
- 1 cups Frozen Sweet Peas
- ¼ cup Yellow Onion (about ½ medium onion)
- ¼ cup Celery (about 1 stalk)
- ¼ cup Mushrooms (about 3 whole)
- 1 Sleeve Ritz Crackers, crushed
- Salt, Pepper, and Spices of Choice
Instructions
Cook Egg Noodles
- Cook dry egg noodles to al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Strain and dump into in a large mixing bowl. Toss with butter or oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make Ritz Cracker Topping
- In a mixing bowl add crushed ritz crackers and ¼ cup melted butter. Mix well with a fork. Set aside.
Cook Vegetables
- Prep the vegetable (celery, mushroom and onion) by chopping them into very small pieces. Use a food processor or a cutting board and knife.
- In a large saucepan or pot on medium heat add about ¼ cup of butter. Add chopped vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the vegetable and place them into the bowl with the cooked egg noodles. Along with the canned tuna and frozen sweet peas.
- Mix ingredients well and set aside.
Make The Creamy Cheesy Sauce
- In the same pot or large saucepan that the vegetable were cooked in add ½ cup or 1 stick of butter. The heat should be medium-high.
- When the butter has melted add the flour. Cook for 2 minutes, mixing frequently with a whisk for even cooking. Pour in the vegetable broth and mix, it will be a thicken paste.
- Whisk in the milk or half and half. It will be a thicken creamy mixture. Cook for 2 minutes, mixing frequently. Add salt, pepper, and spices of choice.
- Sprinkle in the shredded cheese. Mix until melted and remove the mixture from the heat.
- Carefully pour the cream sauce into the egg noodle mixture and mix well.
Layer and Bake
- Place creamy noodle mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish. Spread into a single layer.
- Sprinkle buttered ritz crackers topping onto the casserole.
- Place into the oven uncovered and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let cool and Enjoy.
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