Marilyns Treats

Retro Tuna Noodle Casserole

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Tuna noodle casserole

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

Tuna noodle casserole

Retro Tuna Noodle Casserole

 As much as we like to get “foodie” around here, those retro condensed soup casseroles are some of my most favorite comfort foods. 
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, comfort, crackers
Method: Bake
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Adjust Servings: 8
Calories: 267kcal
Author: Marilyn Lesniak

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

©MARILYN'S TREATS. All images are copyright protected.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g (8%) | Protein: 19g (38%) | Fat: 11g (17%) | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 951mg (40%) | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0% | Vitamin C: 0% | Calcium: 0% | Iron: 0%
Tried this recipe?Mention @marilynstreats or tag #marilynstreats!

NUTRITION DISCLAIMER

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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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Marilyn

      January 19, 2018 at 9:12 AM

      The ritz crackers just gives that hint of a buttery crust without the additional oils. Have a safe and stress free week!

      Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 19, 2018 at 9:12 AM

      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!

      Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 18, 2018 at 7:28 PM

      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.

      Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 15, 2018 at 7:30 PM

      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!

      Reply

  11. Miz Helen

    January 14, 2018 at 2:21 PM

    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

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 14, 2018 at 7:29 PM

      I am glad you like tuna Noodle Casserole Miz Helen. It is inexpensive as well as delicious. Have a safe and warm week.

      Reply

  13. Gina

    January 13, 2018 at 10:22 AM

    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

    Reply

  15. Teresa

    January 13, 2018 at 12:00 AM

    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.

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 13, 2018 at 6:45 AM

      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!

      Reply

  17. Beverly

    January 12, 2018 at 8:19 PM

    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.

    Reply

  21. Jessica - A Modern Mom's Life

    January 11, 2018 at 6:37 PM

    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

    Reply

  28. Julie

    January 8, 2018 at 9:23 AM

    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.

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 7, 2018 at 5:19 PM

      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.

      Reply

  31. Mother of 3

    January 7, 2018 at 7:29 AM

    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.

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 7, 2018 at 4:10 PM

      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.

      Reply

  32. cakespy

    January 6, 2018 at 2:52 PM

    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!?!?

    Reply

  33. Pat

    January 6, 2018 at 1:06 AM

    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

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 6, 2018 at 9:18 AM

      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!

      Reply

  35. Miz Helen

    April 25, 2017 at 11:11 AM

    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

    Reply

  37. Lynda Hardy

    April 24, 2017 at 9:10 AM

    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!

    Reply

  42. Kimberly

    April 21, 2017 at 12:01 PM

    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! 🙂

    Reply

  44. Annie

    April 21, 2017 at 2:38 AM

    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

    Reply

  45. Barbara Radisavljevic

    April 21, 2017 at 2:18 AM

    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.

    Reply

  46. Grammy Dee

    April 20, 2017 at 4:53 PM

    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.

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      April 20, 2017 at 7:10 PM

      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!

      Reply

  49. Leslie

    April 19, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    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!

    Reply

  51. Georgia

    April 18, 2017 at 5:37 AM

    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!

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      April 18, 2017 at 11:15 AM

      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!

      Reply

  52. Jeanne

    April 17, 2017 at 8:05 AM

    Tuna Noodle Casserole was one of my childhood favorites! I just added this recipe to my menu planning for next week, Thanks!

    Reply

  54. Gentle Joy Homemaker

    April 15, 2017 at 7:30 PM

    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. 🙂

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      April 15, 2017 at 9:35 PM

      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!

      Reply

    • Marilyn

      April 12, 2017 at 7:11 PM

      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!

      Reply

    • Marilyn

      January 17, 2015 at 9:41 AM

      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!

      Reply

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