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Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna Noodle Casserole is a timeless, comforting meal that makes use of kitchen staples. Tender egg noodles are folded into a creamy mushroom sauce with peas and chunks of tuna, then topped with buttery breadcrumbs or shredded cheese for a golden, irresistible crust. It’s family-friendly, freezer-friendly, and endlessly adaptable—perfect for weeknights or nostalgic weekends.
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 10
Course: Casserole, dinner, main dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces wide egg noodles
  • 8 tablespoons 1 stick salted butter, plus extra for buttering the baking dish
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 6 ounces white button mushrooms finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups warmed whole milk
  • 1/2 cup dry sherry
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Three 6.4-ounce cans white albacore tuna in water drained
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Serving suggestions: a green salad and crusty bread

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Strainer
  • Large pot (for noodles)
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the egg noodles to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the mixture and stir so that the flour coats the onions and mushrooms thoroughly. Cook, stirring, for another minute. Add the milk and sherry and whisk to combine. Cook the sauce until it's nice and thick, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste and stir. Adjust the seasoning to make sure the sauce is adequately salted.
  4. Add the tuna and stir it into the sauce. Then stir in the bell pepper and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Stir in the noodles until they're coated. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and transfer the noodle mixture to the dish.
  5. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a bowl in the microwave; stir it around with the breadcrumbs and remaining tablespoon of parsley.
  6. Top the casserole with the breadcrumbs and bake until golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve piping hot with a green salad and warm crusty bread.

Notes

To make ahead: Assemble the casserole and refrigerate, unbaked, up to 24 hours before baking. Allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes of baking time if you put it in the oven cold.

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