This tuna noodle casserole recipe is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and is perfect for any weeknight meal! With only 20 minutes to prep, this one dish meal is a reliable classic that will leave everyone wanting more of that rich and creamy flavor in every bite!
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If you're a fan of macaroni and cheese, then you're going to love this tuna pasta bake recipe! This is a dump-and-bake dinner that is comforting, creamy, delicious, and super easy to make. My mom used to make this pasta tuna bake for me and my sister when we were kids. I loved it then and I still love it now. This one dish meal is a family favorite in our dinner rotation and we enjoy it every other week.
The creamy cheese eliminates the need to use a can of condensed soup. Warm and bubbling, this classic creamy casserole recipe is made with canned tuna and is so delicious, you don't even need to top it with a buttery cracker topping. Although, you can if you want to!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
This tuna noodle casserole recipe uses pantry and refrigerator staple ingredients. When it comes to the type of macaroni and cheese, this recipe only works with a boxed version that comes with a creamy cheese sauce like Velveeta Shells and Cheese or Kraft Deluxe macaroni and cheese. The mayonnaise mixed with the packaged creamy cheese sauce helps make the texture velvety and smooth. Make sure you don't use a boxed macaroni and cheese with a powdered cheese packet. The powder cheese will not work in this tuna casserole recipe.
While you can use a variety of different vegetables, my go to are frozen sweet peas. Frozen peas have a more firm texture when the tuna casserole is baking and they work so much better than the canned version. I also add a small amount of finely chopped onion to enhance the flavor. When it comes to canned tuna, used tuna that is in water, not in oil. I've used the oil based version in the past and the texture is a bit too oily and has a strong fish taste. Tuna in water is easier to prepare and has a mild flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
📋 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Using a sharp knife, chop ¼ of the onion until you have about 2 Tablespoons of finely chopped onions. Set aside.
Next, you'll cook the box of macaroni and cheese. Follow the directions on the box and cook until done. Expert Tip: For the perfect texture, cook the noodles to al dente. To do this, add the noodles to boiling water and cook for 8 minutes. Once done, drain the water and place the cooked macaroni noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add the Velveeta cheese sauce to the cooked pasta.
Stir the creamy cheese sauce and cooked noodles with a large spoon until well combined.
From there, open a can of tuna and drain the water. Add the drained tuna to the bowl of macaroni and cheese and then add in the chopped onion, frozen green peas, and mayonnaise.
Stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Add in a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Pour the casserole mixture into an oven safe casserole dish and cover with a lid or with aluminum foil. Cook covered for 20 minutes and then remove the tuna noodle casserole from the oven once done. Allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving. This is the best tuna casserole and pairs amazingly well with this Romaine Salad with Havarti cheese and bacon. It also pairs well with my Quick Peppery Cheese Bread!
📖 Variations
This pasta tuna bake is very versatile. If you don't like peas, try adding corn. Carrots, asparagus, or even small broccoli florets also work well. Fresh sliced mushrooms are also a great addition. While this is traditionally a tuna based casserole, you can use chicken instead. You'll substitute 2 cups of cubed cooked chicken instead of the tuna. Fresh chicken breasts or canned chicken tastes really great. Adding chopped up cooked pork or turkey bacon also enhances the flavor.
If you're looking for a healthier noodle, try substituting a high fiber or whole wheat noodle. Stay away from rice based noodles because they don't hold up as well. To add a little bit of spice, stir in 1 tablespoon of sriracha into the tuna mixture right before you bake it. And while this cheesy tuna casserole doesn't need a topping, you can add one if you want. Crushed potato chips, breadcrumbs, and even those fried onions you put on top of green bean casserole taste amazing in this dish!
🙋🏼 Frequently Asked Questions
I don't recommend freezing this casserole recipe. Because this tuna bake is made with cheese and not condensed soup, it doesn't freeze or reheat well. This one is best fresh and also tastes amazing warmed up the next day.
Yes! Once you cook the macaroni and cheese and mix all the ingredients, it can be eaten. However, I enjoy it more after it's been baked.
You can, yes. All you need to do is use gluten free pasta noodles. Every other ingredient in this casserole is already gluten free.
The noodles that come in the box of macaroni and cheese work the best. You'll typically find small shells or elbow noodles in the boxed version, but feel free to use any pasta you want. Egg noodles also work great.
Typically, I enjoy this dish the most when it's warm, but it's also good served cold or at room temperature.
💭 Expert Tips
- This dish can be made 1-2 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until its ready to be baked. If baking from a cold state, add 10 minutes to the bake time.
- Velveeta or Kraft Deluxe creamy cheese packets work the best for this tuna fish casserole.
- Get creative with your noodles! The velveeta cheese sauce is sold in individual packets so you can use any type of pasta you want.
- To add a crust, top the casserole with 1 cup of coarsely crushed potato chips. Or crumble a sleeve of ritz crackers with melted butter and broil on high in the oven until the topping is a golden brown.
- To lock in the moisture, cover the dish with either a lid or aluminum foil while it bakes.
- Store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
🍽️ More Casseroles Your Family Will Love
Everyone loves a good casserole recipe so if you're looking for the best casserole recipes out there, then you have to try my Homemade Chicken and Rice Casserole. Topped with a buttery and mouth watering crust, this one is perfect for a weeknight dinner. And my Beef Enchilada Casserole is hands down a family favorite! It has layer upon layer of creamy refried beans, seasoned ground beef, corn tortillas, and melted cheese this is smothered in a flavorful enchilada sauce and baked to a bubbly perfection!
I can't wait to hear how your creamy tuna noodle casserole turned out! If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure you rate it and leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you! And make sure you sign up for my newsletter here so you never miss what I'm making in the kitchen!
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Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 box Velveeta Shells and Cheese
- 1 can tuna, in water
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350*F.
- Start by chopping ¼ of an onion until you have about 2 Tablespoons of finely chopped onions. Set aside.
- Cook the box of macaroni and cheese according to package instructions. Once done, drain the water and place the cooked macaroni noodles in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the Velveeta cheese sauce to the cooked noodles. Stir with a large spoon until well combined.
- Next, open a can of tuna and drain the water. Add the drained tuna to the bowl of macaroni and cheese and then add in the chopped onion, frozen green peas, and mayonnaise.
- Stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Add in a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Pour the casserole mixture into an oven safe casserole dish and cover with a lid or with aluminum foil.
- Cook for 20 minutes and then remove from the oven once done. Allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You'll get the best results by using frozen peas instead of a can of peas.
- You can also add corn, carrots, asparagus, or even small broccoli florets.
- This dish can be made 1-2 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until it's ready to be baked.
- If baking directly from the refrigerator, add 10 minutes to the bake time.
- Velveeta or Kraft Deluxe creamy cheese packets work the best this tuna fish casserole.
- Get creative with your noodles! The velveeta cheese sauce is sold in individual packets so you can use any type of pasta you want.
- To add a crust, top the casserole with 1 cup of coarsely crushed potato chips. Or crumble a sleeve of ritz crackers with melted butter and broil on high in the oven until the topping is a golden brown.
- To lock in the moisture, cover the dish with either a lid or aluminum foil while it bakes.
- Store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in April 2017, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures, and tips in January 2022.
Scott
My mom used to make this for us ALL THE TIME. I haven't even thought about tuna mac-n-cheese for years. This looks simply delightful. Typically, when we are going to use pasta in our house (which isn't very often), I like the quinoa based pasta which is really difficult to tell from the real thing. I had no idea you could buy velveeta cheese packets either- great tip on a great recipe.
Amanda Mason
Thanks! Yes - it's amazing that this dish can be made gluten free and still taste like the original. You should make it! I loved this as a kiddo!
Rob Patrick
What size can of tuna?
Amanda Mason
5ounce can of StarKist Tuna. After you drain the tune, it will be about 4 ounces of tuna.
Liz
A great comfort dish! I have never added mayonnaise to my tuna noodle casserole, but I tried, and it was a great add!
Amanda Mason
I'm so glad you loved it Liz!! It helps make it even extra creamy!!
Veronika Sykorova
Casseroles are the best! I really enjoyed this one because it doesn't call for a bunch of special ingredients and a lot of fresh produce. I already had everything on hand so it was a great last-minute dinner idea for us!
Amanda Mason
So glad you loved it, Veronika! It's one of our all time favorite recipes!
Barbara Beecher
Can you use cream cheese instead of mayo
Amanda Mason
Hi Barbara! I've never made it with cream cheese instead of mayo but I would think that if you melt it, it would work really well and be a great addition flavor wise! Let me know how it turns out for you!