Name: Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.5 cup Butter; 16 ounces Egg noodles; 0.5 onion; 1 stalk Celery; 3 cloves Garlic; 0.25 cup All purpose flour; 2 cups Milk; 0.5 cup Cheddar cheese; 0.5 tsp All purpose seasoning; 5 ounces Albacore tuna; 1 cup Frozen peas; 0.25 cup Panko bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons Butter

From the Cook

1/6

Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

It is a Keeper Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

This recipe also lives on It is a Keeper. Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Check out original post! 😊

Original PostView

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the onion, celery, and garlic, and cook 5 minutes or until tender.

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan, and whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk and continue cooking 5 minutes, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.

Add cheddar cheese. If sauce is too thick, slowly stir in reserved pasta water until sauce is desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

Stir in tuna, peas, onion mixture and cooked noodles. Transfer to the baking dish.

Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and mix with bread crumbs, and sprinkle over the casserole.

Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Drain Tuna Thoroughly 💧
Press canned tuna between paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing a watery casserole and ensuring a creamier, more concentrated flavor in every bite.
Make a Proper Béchamel Base 🧈
Create a roux by cooking butter and flour together for 1-2 minutes before adding milk to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, luxurious sauce that coats the noodles perfectly.
Sauté Aromatics First 🧅
Fully caramelize your diced onion, celery, and minced garlic in butter before building the sauce to develop deep, savory flavors that elevate the entire dish.
Toast Panko Topping Separately 🍞
Toss panko with melted butter and broil on a separate pan for 2-3 minutes before topping the casserole, ensuring a golden, crispy crust rather than a soggy, greasy layer.
Undercook Pasta Slightly 🍝
Cook egg noodles 1-2 minutes under package directions since they'll continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy, overcooked pasta in your final casserole.