Description
This easy tuna casserole is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy baked pasta dish perfect for a family meal. Combining tender elbow macaroni, savory tuna, creamy mushroom soup, and a crunchy topping, it delivers classic flavors with minimal effort and quick preparation.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna in water or oil, drained and flaked
- 3 cups cooked elbow macaroni or egg noodles (about 1 1/2 cups uncooked pasta)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra cheesiness)
- 1/2 cup crushed potato chips or breadcrumbs (for topping)
Other
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the casserole dish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni or egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the drained and flaked tuna, cooked pasta, frozen peas, cream of mushroom soup, milk, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Add Cheese (Optional): If desired, add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture for extra creaminess and flavor, then stir well.
- Prepare Casserole Dish: Grease a 9Ă—13-inch casserole dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Fill Casserole Dish: Pour the tuna and pasta mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the crushed potato chips or breadcrumbs evenly over the top to create a crispy topping.
- Add Remaining Cheese (Optional): If using cheese, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set and enhance flavors. Enjoy your comforting tuna casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with egg noodles or other small pasta shapes.
- Using mayonnaise adds creaminess, but you can reduce it if preferred for a lighter option.
- Crushed potato chips add a nice crunch; breadcrumbs work well as a healthier alternative.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables like chopped mushrooms or carrots for more nutrition.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.