Retro Tuna Noodle Casserole ~When I was a kid we ate lots of cream-of-something soup casseroles. As much as we like to get “foodie” around here, those retro condensed soup casseroles are some of my most favorite comfort foods and I still make many of them for my family. One of my favorites back then was tuna noodle. I’m sure my Mom made it the same way lots of people do, with cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese, and ritz crackers on top. That layer of crunchy crackers melted into gooey cheese was my favorite part!
For more Meatless Meal ideas see Meatless Friday Meals During Lent my Tuna Steak with Tomato Lime Sauce, Or Get 11 Casserole Tips for a Perfect Meal
Retro Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium egg noodle pasta cooked al dente according to package
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 2 medium stalks celery thinly sliced or diced
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced or diced
- olive oil as needed
- 4 tbs flour
- 1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth just under 2 cups, warmed
- 1 cup milk warmed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 12 oz canned tuna packed in water, drained
Topping:
- 1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs mixed with about 1/2 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet. Add celery, onion, and mushrooms and sauté stirring often until mushrooms are golden and tender. If needed for moisture, add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan after the mushrooms are added; more if needed during remaining cooking time. Remove vegetables from pan and set aside.
- Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in pan and add flour. Stir constantly for 30 seconds. Slowly add broth and milk, a little at a time while constantly whisking until mixture is smooth. Bring to a low simmer. Add salt and pepper. Stir constantly until thickened and bubbly, 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Whisk until smooth and taste. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and add pasta, vegetables, and tuna. Stir to combine and place in a 3 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese (feel free to add more if you want) and sprinkle cracker crumbs or chips on top.
- Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, until top is golden and pasta is hot and bubbly. Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
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Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
I am Marilyn Lesniak. Writer, Photographer and Chief Bottle Washer behind the scenes at Marilyn's Treats. Follow me to my kitchen. 
Looking totally Yumm – hope I could do something like that – Thanks for joining #BloggersPitStop
I am sure you can. It is easy. Have a great week!
Thanks for sharing at #BestoftheWeekend ! I’ve never had it with ritz crackers before – will definitely need to try that!
The ritz crackers just gives that hint of a buttery crust without the additional oils. Have a safe and stress free week!
Oh that sounds so yummy! I know my family will love it!
Thank you Shannon. This casserole is perfect for those days you are tired and need something fast, warm and satisfying. Enjoy. Have a safe and stress free week!
Just printed this. My husband will love it! I’ve eaten lots of condensed soup in my life, but thank you for including the homemade version. 🙂
You are welcome Jessica. I always try to include a “from scratch” option even though I use the convenience method a lot. There is a time and place for everything! Have a safe and stress free week! Enjoy.
That is definitely comfort food! It reminds me that I’ve never made it for my kids! Thanks for the real-food recipe!
I love this casserole and my kids still do, too. Glad you like it. Have a safe and wonderful week!
Thanks so much for sharing your post with us on Whisk It Wednesday this week. Hope you have a great week and come back soon! Carrie
You are welcome Carrie. Have a safe and warm week!
Thanks for sharing at Party in Your Pjs! This casserole looks delicious, Marilyn!
Thank you Donna. Have a safe and warm week!
LOVE one dish casseroles! Thanks for sharing at last week’s Reader Tip Tuesday – can’t wait to see what you have for us this week. xo
This is the tine of year where cheap, fast and easy meets delicious in my home! Have asafe and warm week.
My mom used to make Tuna Casserole and also Salmon Casserole. It seems like every family has seen it come across their table.
I remember near the end of the month my mom made this. She also had “creamed Tuna on Toast”. Milk, butter, flour added with the tuna. There was another name for it too, but alas I dont talk like that!! LOL. Have a safe and warm week!
Yay for retro! Looks yummy. Thanks for linking up at Friday Frenzy Link Party. PINNED!
Thank you for the pin Kelly! Enjoy a safe and warm week.
I love your Retro Tuna Noodle Casserole, Tuna Casserole is a classic favorite! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
I am glad you like tuna Noodle Casserole Miz Helen. It is inexpensive as well as delicious. Have a safe and warm week.
Oh Marilyn, that looks great. Sometimes you just can’t beat good old retro food like your mum used to make!
Thanks Julie. This tuna noodle casserole delivers everything my mom’s did. Have a safe and warm week.
This recipe looks delicious ? I’ll definitely try it I think my family will love this I saw this on another blog (fortheloveto) link up and I’m happy I did thanks for sharing
Thank you Gina for checking it out! This casserole will satisfy the pickiest eaters. Enjoy! Have a warm and safe week.
Sounds yummy!
Thanks for linking up with #LifeLifeWell
Blessings,
Amy
You are welcome Amy! Have a warm and safe week.
Oh, what memories! I haven’t thought about tuna noodle casserole in years, but I loved it at one time. I can’t even remember if I’ve ever made it for my husband, but I’m going to have to now! I pinned and shared on my social media.
Sometimes my mom just got it right. She was an awful cook but there were go to dishes that were cheap and warmed us up! Thx for sharing memories and I hope you get to make this casserole soon!
A good old fashioned classic! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Memories just can’t get better than this! Have a safe and warm week.
Tuna Casserole is certainly a classic! I remember having it when growing up, too. Your recipe sounds great! Thanks for sharing your recipes with us at Snickerdoodle. Pinning.
I love this recipe. Since I posted it, I am surprised how popular it was back in the day. I am glad you remember it to. Stay safe and warm this week.
Moms always know best, especially when it comes to comfort foods, and this retro tuna casserole is definitely a keeper!
I love this casserole Jelica. When I miss my mom this dish is always on my table that night. Have a warm and safe week.
That brings back memories and you managed to work around the “cream of whatever” soup. May try this.
Thanks Genie! I hope you get a chance to sample this casserole. Have a warm and safe week.
My husband was just asking me the other day why I don’t ever fix tuna casserole. With this recipe, I can now! Thanks for sharing over at Foodie Friday!
You make this for him and have him break a nice warm loaf of bread. Let me know if he likes it! Have a great week!
I love tuna casserole – but my kids don’t. Or at least they didn’t when I last made it. Thinking back, that was likely years ago, so I think it’s high time we tried again. Love the sound of this recipe!
~Jess
#ALittleBitOfEverything
I would surely try it again. It amazes me how easily kids waffle on what they like to eat. LOL. Have a great week.
This is a good old meal that we all love! Again thank you for sharing x
You are welcome Kirsty! Have a great week.
Retro and a fave! Soooooo looking forward to making this. IT’s been years!
I hope it is as delicious as you remember! Have a great week.
This is so great. Makes me totally want to make it. Thanks for the inspiration.
You are welcome Amy. Enjoy. Have a great week!
My mum used to make something really similar when we were little – you’ve brought back some lovely childhood food memories. She used to used crumbled up crisps (chips) on top, though! Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare. Eb 🙂
I love when someone tells me the recipes bring back fond memories! That is what blogging is all about for me. Have a great week!
I’ve never had anything like this! It sounds amazing! #CookBlogShare
Oh, Donna! You are missing the boat. This is great with bred and butter. It is that kind of dish. Have a stress free week!
This recipe makes me feel hungry and nostalgic! I love tuna casserole. I’ll have to pin this to give it a try!
I hope you enjoy it. I love when I resurrect this recipe. It is great this time of year. Have a stress free week!
Hi Marilyn, Happy New Year. I love this type of casserole and it’s the perfect dish for winter. Thanks for sharing this recipe at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
I make this on Friday a lot. Guess it is a throw back from my childhood. Enjoy Julie! Have a stress free week!
It sounds so delicious! I love casseroles and I love tuna, so this is for me! 😉
I wish you a wonderful start into the week!
– Emmi
This is a great and easy comfort dish. I hope you enjoy it!! Have a stress free week!
My family loves this, but I sort of forget about it. Thanks for this reminder!
This holiday I have been remembering my childhood. I started pulling out some recipes I made often when my kids were little. This is one. I am glad you like it! I hope you have a stress free week.
I remember eating tuna noodle casserole a lot as a kid; not that I really enjoyed it at the time… I haven’t made it much as an adult though I have since acquired a taste for it. This sounds yummy but different from the recipe I remember; ours had mayo and was topped with breadcrumbs. Pinned.
I have used the bread crumbs, but never heard of mayo. I bet that would be good, i may have to try it. Thanks Joanne. I hope you have a stress free week. Thanks for the pin.
I remember seeing this as a back of the box recipe but my mom was so averse to seafood of any sort that we never had it growing up. Maybe it’s time to make up for lost experiences!?!?
You will love this easy one pan casserole if you like tuna fish. It doesn’t have a strong fishy taste to it. I wish you a stress free week.
Hi Marilyn
It is so nice your tuna noodle casserole recipe does not require canned soups, as I find I can’t tolerate all the high sodium of canned soups any longer. It looks delicious!
Hugs,
Pat
Thank you Pat! I have seen recipes to make your own basic cream soup and then do chicken, onion or mushroom from there. I am thinking of trying that since sodium and food dye are on my list this year to eliminate. (I hate getting older and having to change the way I cook. LOL). I hope you are enjoying a warm weekend!
I never had a tuna casserole before but I love casseroles and this one looks amazing. Ritz and tuna sounds so complimentary! Thanks for linking up to #fridayfrivolity! Xx
Oh, you have to try this. My DIL adds peas to it too. It is a warm comfort food. Enjoy your week!
Tuna Casserole is one of our classic comfort foods and your recipe looks wonderful! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
You are welcome Miz Helen. See you at the next party. Have a great week!
I’ve had tuna noodle casserole but not with ritz crackers. Thank you for sharing at Ravenwould.
The cracker are so muc better than corn flakes. They add a buttery taste without the fats! Have a lovely week!
I’ve had Tuna Casserole on my meal ideas list for awhile – I love that this doesn’t used canned cream-of soup! Definitely the recipe I’ll be trying. Thanks so much for sharing with Party in Your PJs!
I hope you enjoy it Lynda. If you remember to come back let me know!! Have a lovely week!
This looks so delicious! I love the recipe!
Thank you Cristina! I hope you get to taste it. Have a lovely week!
I haven’t had tuna casserole in ages! Will have to try to make it soon!
Glad to inspire you Heidi! Have a lovely week!
mix it with tuna! I should try this at home…it looks delicious indeed
It is a great inexpensive and fast comfort food! Thx Indah. Have a lovely week.
I bet this is amazing! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks Jess. Have a lovely week.
Looks great Marilyn! I remember having Tuna Noodle Casserole as a kid. Honestly, I never liked it back then but of course I did not like a lot as a kid. I am sure I would love it now!! Lol. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week! 🙂
I am sure you would change your mind. The gooey cheese just makes this so “adult”! Have a great day!
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner link up!
Thank you Helen! Have a great day!
I love this, Marilyn! We are Catholic, so tuna casserole is a staple in our home come Lent 🙂 I am pinning this so I can have your recipe for next year!
Visiting from the No Rules Blog Party! Come see us sometime at MammaTech — we are always looking for guest bloggers (and we pay)!
Annie
I seem to bring this out every Lent. Itr is a good one for sure! Have a great day!
I’m glad you made your own “cream of something soup.” I now avoid all the canned soups because they just aren’t as healthy as homemade. I never made tuna casserole with crackers on top. I use slivered almonds in mine to add crunch and just cheese on top.
The almonds sound yummy. I need to give that a try! Have a great day!
You made me smile when I read “…lots of cream-of-something soup casseroles.” Thank you for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared your post on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
I never realized how much that was the “norm” in the 60’s. My mom was good at turning one can of soup into a family meal. Have a great day!
thanks for joining the SYS party. Making this childhood recipe this evening. The parmesan version sounds so good
Thank you Lynn! Have a great day!
thanks for joining the SYS party and I printed the recipe to make tonight. Been years since I have made this. The parmesan version sounds yummo….
I am glad you got inspired Lynn! Enjoy. Have a great day!
We are a lot of cream-of-whatever soups when I was growing up too. They don’t always deserve the bad reputation they get! Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
I have an old old cookbook of my mom’s called The Campbell Soup Cookbook. I need to find that one. Have a lovely week!
I also remember one of my aunts making something similar and I’m hoping my cousin will share all of her mom’s recipes. Fingers crossed!
I am in the process of getting my husband’s family recipes before they will be gone forever. Thanks Sandra. Have a great week.
A famous story in my family was about one time when my mother made tuna casserole for supper and my step-dad was saying, “Well, it’s good, but I don’t know, it just seems like something is missing.” Then we noticed the can of tuna still sitting on the kitchen counter!
I love this story because it sounds exactly like something I would do! I made a double batch of Red Velvet whoopie pies separating all the infgredients so as not to mess up converting. I put in the first batch with the butter and totally missed it in the secind batch. That icing was like cement and tasted just as bad! What a great memory. Have a great week!
Tuna Noodle Casserole was one of my childhood favorites! I just added this recipe to my menu planning for next week, Thanks!
I hope you enjoy it Jeanne. It always makes me miss my mom. Have a lovely week.
I can’t wait to give you recipe a try. Mom always use to make this and we loved it!
You know when I was growing up we didn’t have a lot of fast food so she had to have some quick recipes.
We always got fast, cheap, and tasty when mom needed to stretch the budget. I love pulling this one together! Have a lovely week.
Tuna casserole seems to get a lot of “bad press”, but what a great quick meal for once in a while…. I haven’t used parmesan cheese on it like your recipe calls for… and I like the sound of that. Thank you. 🙂
You are welcome. I know when I was growing up we ended up having more month than budget. My mom was great at giving us a tasty warm meal. She also made creamed tuna on toast. Ever hear of that? A flour, butter milk and tuna mix warmed and placed on toast. I will always remember that as a comfort meal. Have a lovely holiday!
My mom used to make a recipe just like this. I haven’t had it in years. I need to remedy that!
I love my mom’s old recipes. Especially near the holiday. Have a lovely holiday!
If I had a dollar for everytime I ate something similar to this I’d be writing this from somewhere in the tropics! I’m ready to try your version.
My mom had a bunch of fast, cheap and good tasting things when I grew up. We usually had more month than money for shoppping. Thx for the memories Sandra. Have a happy holiday!
There are some comfort classic recipes that just CAN’T be messed with. This is, definitely, one of them! 🙂
Thanks Betsy! I keep coming back to my childhood recipes more and more this year. You just can’t beat a great time proven tradition! Thank you for spending the time to comment!