Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

This recipe for Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole is nostalgic and delicious. It’s perfect for a family dinner or potluck!

The classic tuna casserole is a nostalgic favourite when it comes to comfort food, and one that you can easily whip up at home.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or something more nostalgic to share with friends, this old fashioned tuna casserole recipe combines simple ingredients and flavours for an incredibly tasty dish.

Perfect for family dinners or special occasions alike, this hearty dinner is sure to become your new go-to meal whenever you’re in the mood for some delicious nostalgia from days gone by.

Why You Will LOVE This Tuna Casserole

• This tuna casserole is loaded with flavour and texture
• Makes delicious leftovers
• Can easily be doubled or halved
• It’s an easy meal that can be prepared in advance and reheated when you’re ready to eat.
• It’s a great way to stretch your food budget since it uses inexpensive ingredients.
• It’s a kid-friendly dish that is sure to become a family favourite!
• It’s a great make-ahead dish that can be frozen for later.
• Satisfying and comforting main dish
• Can be tailored to fit your tastes.

Tips for Making the Best Tuna Casserole

• Bake it uncovered. This will help the top of the casserole become crunchy and golden brown.
• Don’t skip the vegetables, the celery, onion and peas give the dish a flavour boost.
• Use fresh herbs like parsley or dill to garnish the finished dish to give it a brighter flavour.
• Use more cheese for extra creamy and cheesy goodness.
• Don’t overcook the casserole, it should be just cooked through and not dry.
• Let the tuna casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavour to settle in.

Best Type of Pasta for Tuna Casserole

Any short shapes will work for a casserole, avoid long shapes and soup shapes.

A cup of elbow macaroni, Penne Lisce, Pennette Rigate will make 2 cups cooked.

One and a third cup of penne rigate will make 2 cups cooked.

A cup and a half of farfalle (bow tie), rigatoni, or medium shells will make 2 cups cooked.

Tuna Casserole Varations

I love this casserole as written, but you can change things up to suit your own preferences.

• Add chopped summer squash
• Add fresh sauteed mushrooms
• Add sliced carrots
• Add fresh cut green beans
• Add corn kernels
• Add small broccoli florets
• Add Parmesan to the topping
• Use egg noodles instead of pasta

How to Store Leftover Tuna Casserole

Leftover tuna casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days in an air-tight container.

To extend the shelf life of the casserole, it can also be frozen. Transfer any remaining tuna casserole into a freezer-safe container or wrap it securely with plastic wrap and foil. Label the package with the name and date before placing in the freezer.

When you’re ready to eat the tuna casserole, make sure it is thawed completely before reheating. If frozen, place the container in the refrigerator overnight or until thawed.

Reheat the casserole in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it is heated through and bubbly.

About the Ingredients for Tuna Noodle Casserole

Vegetables – I used onion, celery and green peas in this casserole. Onion and green peas are pretty classic, but sauteed celery adds amazing flavour. You can even add more veggies into the casserole. Read above for suggestions.

Pasta – You need 1 cup uncooked rotini to make 2 cups of cooked rotini.

Tuna – Use your favourite type of tuna. Chunk light tuna or Albacore tuna is best as it has a chunkier texture that works well in casseroles.

Soup – A can of condensed cream of mushroom soup provides all the moisture to this casserole, as well as flavour. You can use a cup of homemade mushroom soup if you prefer.

Cheese – Use a brick of cheese and shred it yourself. I used white cheddar but you can use any type of brick cheese you like. Pepper jack cheese is a great choice for a bit of zesty flavour. Avoid using prepared shredded cheese as the flavour and texture just isn’t the same.

Seasoning – Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and granulated garlic (or garlic powder) seasons the casserole. You can get creative here if you like.

Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs gives an extra crunch over regular breadcrumbs. If you do use regular breadcrumbs you can use seasoned or unseasoned.

Looking for More Comforting Dinner Recipes?

This Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie Casserole recipe is a delicious gluten free version of a family favourite. Perfect for serving anyone who cannot eat gluten, it can be enjoyed by all.

This One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta is a fun twist on pasta with bolognese sauce that incorporates pepperoni into the mix for a bowl scraping delicious dinner.

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

How to Make Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

Yields: 6 Servings | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 12 oz (340g) canned tuna, drained
• 2 cups cooked rotini
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 teaspoon paprika
• 1/3 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then the onion and celery and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened.

Combine cooked pasta, tuna, 1 cup of the grated cheddar, salt and all the seasonings in a large bowl.

Add the onion and celery, green peas and mushroom soup, and mix everything thoroughly.

Transfer to a 9 * 13 baking dish. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Mix remaining cheddar with panko breadcrumbs, and spread over the casserole, then return to the oven for another 10 minutes.