Best Ever Tuna Noodle Casserole—creamy, cheesy, and downright delicious, this casserole is even adored by those who say they hate it.
This Best Ever Tuna Noodle Casserole is my mom’s recipe and can not be beaten. Every other tuna noodle casserole is dry and bland. When I say that I am making my mom’s Best Ever Tuna Noodle Casserole, most people state how much they hated this dish growing up, and I tell them to give it a chance.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
Most of us who grew up in the ’70s—’80s have the idea that all casseroles are dry and crumbly noodle dishes. But my mom was the exception. Even her Tater Tot Casserole is extremely creamy.
When I met my husband and told him I love tuna noodle casserole, he thought I was crazy. Then he had this recipe, and his mind forever changed.
Fall is all about comfort food—warm, cheesy dishes full of carbs. LOL!
The tuna noodle casserole and the Oreo dessert are tied in my book as my favorite recipes from my mom. It is about time that I shared this casserole with you.
I did put my spin on it only because my kids love cheddar cheese, and I wanted to add some to it – once I did that, I decided to top it with a few bread crumbs. The crunchy crust with the cheesy casserole underneath made this unbelievably the most amazing casserole I have ever had.
Childhood Dishes
We all have childhood dishes that bring the warmest and most comforting feelings and this Best Ever Tuna Noodle Casserole is that dish for me. And while I am not a huge Velveeta fan, I don’t mind making this casserole with it because well, my mom did, and some things you just should not change.
Leftovers are great frozen, to either save for later or take to a friend in need. Here are a few tips.
How to Freeze Casseroles
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Best Ever Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
Casserole
- 12 ounces elbow noodles cooked al dente
- 10 ounces canned tuna in water drained
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom
- 1 cup milk
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese shredded or cut into cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper each
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degress F.
- Boil noodles according to package direction, drain and rinse in cold water and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl add all of the remaining casserole ingredients and stir to combine.
- Fold in cooked noodles and pour into a large casserole dish.
- Cover and place in preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes. Uncover for the last 30 minutes.
- Once cooked – top with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and then sprinkle on 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs.
- Turn the oven to low broil and bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown. Keep an eye on it as it may brown faster depending on your oven and how high the rack is in the oven.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
I just love classic recipes like this! My kind of comfort food. 🙂
They’re the best! Enjoy!
My family loves casseroles!! This sounds incredibly delicious!
Enjoy!
Oh, the memories this recipe brings back. To this day tuna casserole is still one of my favorites!
It’s one of mine too for sure! I hope you enjoy!
This is my kind of comfort food; exactly what I was looking for for dinner tonight! Looks too good to pass up!
I hope you enjoy it!
This was very good! I used egg noodles instead of the elbow pasta. Will definitely be making again. Thanks!
Wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing about the noodles as well, I will try that sometime. San
How mich of the egg noodles?
I don’t use 12 ounces of elbow noodles.
Anybody used French’s fried onions on top?
My first and only time I made Tuna Noodle Casserole was in Home Ec class Jr.High School 1978. The group I was with selected my recipe that was created by a nationally
known soup company I found in a magazine. We did not like the end result and I was blamed for finding the recipe. LOL!
Reading this recipe wants me to try making again. What would you decrease and how much to make this recipe a recipe for 1 or 2?
I just made this today. Very very creamy. Really enjoyed it. I didn’t have Velveeta so used Jalepeno cheez whiz (of course made it even creamier) – and I like a bit of heat so the flavor worked for me. will recommend this recipe.
That sounds yummy! A little heat sounds like a good addition. So glad you enjoyed it!
I roasted a chicken yesterday and can’t wait to make this with my left over chicken instead of tuna!
That sounds delicious! I hope you enjoyed it!
I always love new casseroles to try, thank you so much for sharing!
This brought back so many memories. Comfort food at its finest.
Yummy tuna casserole! We’ll make this again and again!
A creamy delicious dinner and fairly easy to make! Perfect for my family
I like how creamy and cheesy this Tuna Noodle Casserole. Can’t wait to make this for my family!
Yummy! My family and I devoured this and we all loved it! Making this casserole again!
This is the best tuna casserole recipe! My kids keep asking me to make it again.
Thank you!
Like the recipe, but I would caution against 10 minutes under the broiler on low. I nearly ruined the entire dish. After less than one minute, the bread crumbs had burned to a black crisp. I cannot imagine 10 minutes under a broiler, no matter the oven. Ended up scraping off the blackened top as best I could to salvage the rest….unfortunately, a lot of the cheese topping went with it.
I’m sorry to hear it browned so quickly for you! Your oven may broil hotter than mine, so it may be best to stick it back in for 10 minutes on 350 instead. It usually is fine in our oven for that time. I updated the recipe with a warning to keep a close eye on it.
This will be a perfect meal for through the week, thank you for sharing!
This Tuna Noodle Casserole looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
I love this recipe. It tastes just like Grandma used to make.
Such a really amazing comfort food! It is so good and delicious!
Yummy! Tuna Noodle Casserole is a family favorite! This sounds incredibly delicious!
This Tuna Noodle Casserole looks SO delicious! I can’t wait to try it
What size casserole are you using?
Hi Judy, we use a 2.5 or 3-quart casserole dish.
If I use a 4 qt dish would I need to adjust the cooking time?
Yummy! This is one mine and my daughter’s favorite casseroles even my picky son loves it too! Such a delicious and quick dinner recipe. Going to make this again soon!
This is SO good! Thank you for this!