The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (2024)

  • Comfort Food
  • Easy Family Dinners
  • Easy Casseroles
  • Tuna
  • Egg Noodles

Tuna noodle casserole is classic American comfort food topped with crushed potato chips. Made with canned tuna, canned cream of mushroom soup, and egg noodles, this tuna casserole is always a family favorite.

By

Elise Bauer

The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated April 06, 2022

The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (2)

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The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (3)

  • Family Favorite Tuna Casserole

  • Add Cream of Mushroom Soup

  • Lighten Up Your Tuna Casserole

  • Other Vegetables to Add

  • Make Ahead Tuna Casserole

Family Favorite Tuna Casserole

My father and I have been reminiscing lately about my mom's tuna casserole, the one she used to make in the 60s, with cream of mushroom soup, broccoli, lots of cheese, and a crushed potato chip topping.

Mom has only the vaguest recollection of a tuna casserole ("I think it had broccoli in it.") In fact, today, she said she had no memory of it at all.

Did she really make it? Or are dad and I remembering something instead from a school cafeteria?

In any case, I attempted to reproduce it for today's lunch, in honor of the weekend and long-forgotten family traditions.

Tuna Casserole With Cream of Mushroom Soup

Entering our pantry for the first time in 20 years was a can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup (really must use this one, no other will do.) Also, I used Kettle potato chips—very good quality.

The verdict? Yes, it's just what you want in a classic tuna casserole! Filling, cheesy, crunchy topping, not too tuna-y.

The visiting picky eater kids (OK, not that picky, thank God) had three servings.

The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (4)

Lighten Up Your Tuna Casserole

  • Add in more vegetables
  • Swap potato chips for breadcrumbs or omit
  • Use a low-sodium cream of mushroom soup
  • Halve the noodles and add chopped cauliflower florets
  • Use low-fat milk and omit the cream
  • Use olive oil in place of the butter

Other Vegetables That Taste Great in Tuna Casserole

  • Diced canned tomatoes
  • Frozen, fresh, or canned corn
  • Frozen, fresh, or canned peas
  • Green beans
  • Diced zucchini or other squashes
  • Add more fresh mushrooms

How to Make Tuna Casserole Ahead

Assemble all the ingredients in a casserole dish and store covered in the fridge a day or two before baking.

You can also freeze the casserole before you bake it. If you store it in a heatproof dish (metal or ceramic, not glass), you can take it straight from the freezer to the oven. No thawing necessary!

If you're making the tuna casserole in advance, be sure to top it with your potato chips (or other topping) just before baking.

How to Freeze Lasagna and Other CasserolesREAD MORE:

More Comforting Casseroles to Love

  • Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Sausage, Pepper, and Potato Bake
  • Beef Noodle Casserole
  • Broccoli Cheese Casserole
  • Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time50 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 12 ounces wide egg noodles

  • 2 cups chopped broccoli (about 1/2 pound)

  • 8 ounces sliced freshmushrooms

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 2 (6-ounce) cans tuna, drained

  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

  • 2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

  • 1/3 cup milk

  • 1 tablespoon cream

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 1 cup crushed potato chips

Method

  1. Preheat the oven:

    Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  2. Cook the noodles and broccoli:

    In a large (6-quart) pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt. Return to a boil, then add the noodles. Cook uncovered on high heat on a rolling boil.

    Just before pasta is al dente (firm but cooked through, earliest cooking time minus 2 minutes), add the chopped broccoli to the pasta and cook for 2 more minutes.

    Drain in a colander and set aside.

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (5)

  3. Saute the mushrooms:

    While the pasta is cooking, dry saute the mushrooms in a frying pan on medium-high heat (There's no need to add butter or oil. Mushrooms will cook in their own juices.).

    When mushrooms have given up their moisture (about 5 to 10 minutes), remove from heat and set aside.

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (6)

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (7)

  4. Cook the onion:

    When the pasta is draining in a colander, heat a large oven-proof pan on medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and melt. Add the onion and cook until translucent.

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (8)

  5. Combine all the ingredients:

    Put the pasta and broccoli mixture back into the pot. Stir in the mushrooms, the drained tuna, can of cream of mushroom soup, grated cheese, milk and cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (9)

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (10)

  6. Top with the crushed potato chips:

    Spread crushed potato chips over the top of the mixture.

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (11)

  7. Bake:

    Cook for 20 minutes in the oven at 400°F, until the topping has browned.

    The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (12)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
408Calories
23g Fat
26g Carbs
25g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories408
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g30%
Saturated Fat 11g53%
Cholesterol 79mg26%
Sodium 1698mg74%
Total Carbohydrate 26g10%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 25g
Vitamin C 29mg143%
Calcium 353mg27%
Iron 2mg12%
Potassium 564mg12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

The Original, Classic Tuna Casserole Just Like Mom Made! (2024)

FAQs

Where did tuna casserole originate? ›

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

Why is my tuna casserole 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.

What is smart ones tasty american favorites tuna noodle casserole? ›

Smart Ones Tuna Noodle Casserole offers a quick meal solution for lunch or dinner. Our savory meal features chunks of tuna, mafalda pasta and peas in a creamy sauce topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Each meal contains 270 calories, 12 grams of protein and 8 WW Points® per serving.

Who makes frozen tuna casserole? ›

Tuna Noodle Casserole Frozen Meal | Official STOUFFER'S®

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

Where was tuna first eaten? ›

Tuna-fishing is at least 2,000 years old in the Mediterranean, where in-shore fishermen caught the plentiful bluefin. The Phoenicians established fisheries using hand-lines and primitive nets. Aristotle mentioned bluefin in his History of Animals in 350 BC; Pliny the Elder recommended eating tuna to treat ulcers.

How do you thicken tuna casserole? ›

Condensed cream of mushroom soup will create a thick sauce for tuna casserole, but only if you don't dilute the soup. If the tuna casserole looks a little thin after baking, mix in an extra 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Let the casserole bake, uncovered, for a little longer and it should thicken right up.

How to make a casserole less dry? ›

How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating. Allow the liquid to seep in between the casserole and the baking dish, without overflowing. Cover the top with aluminum foil.

How do you keep tuna from drying out? ›

Tuna dries out quite quickly and turns crumbly, so it should be cooked very briefly over a high heat in a frying pan, on a griddle or over a barbecue; or cooked under oil (confit), sous vide or simmered in a sauce.

What are the list of ingredients for tuna noodle casserole? ›

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.

What method should be used to cool tuna casserole? ›

Refrigeration: Place the tuna casserole in airtight containers or covered dishes and place them in the refrigerator. Make sure to leave enough space for air circulation. Cooling the casserole in the refrigerator allows the heat to dissipate slowly and keeps the food safe from bacteria growth.

Is casserole American food? ›

Although their name comes from the French word for saucepan, casseroles feel distinctly American, routed in a love for comfort food and often shaped by a desire for easy, tasty home-cooked meals. Here's everything you need to know about casseroles and cooking them, along with great recipes for all kinds of occasions.

Who makes Walmart tuna? ›

Pacific Island Tuna was formed in October 2021 as a partnership between TNC and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Pacific Island Tuna now supplies Great Value canned tuna to Walmart.

What is the best replacement for canned tuna? ›

Mackerel

The fish is flaky, moist and soft. Mackerel is one of the purest sources of fish protein. It's high in calcium, potassium, iron and vitamin D. If you're wondering what to substitute for tuna in tuna salad, consider skinless and boneless mackerel.

Why is frozen tuna pink? ›

The carbon monoxide reacts with the muscle pigments to form a very stable complex, carboxymyoglobin. The CO-treatment permanently turns the red tuna to an unnatural, watermelon pink color as a result of this process.

What culture invented casserole? ›

Casserole history

The word casserole is derived from a French word that means 'saucepan'. Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices.

What country invented tuna salad? ›

The first written mention of tuna salad in America dates back to 1907. Salads in general were in vogue at that time—and were considered a little fancy, bringing an element of European delicateness to industrious American kitchens.

What country does canned tuna come from? ›

The fishing vessel carries its tuna catch to a port at Kiribati, where it transfers the catch to a larger, refrigerated carrier vessel. The carrier vessel transports the catch to Thailand, one of the world's biggest tuna processing countries (Thailand exports 40% of the world's canned tuna supply).

What country is casserole from? ›

A casserole (French: diminutive of casse, from Provençal cassa, meaning 'pan') is a kind of large, deep pan or bowl used for cooking a variety of dishes in the oven; it is also a category of foods cooked in such a vessel.

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