Try this classic old-fashioned tuna casserole recipe made from scratch. It skips the canned soup for a homemade, flavor-packed dish. This comfort meal combines creamy textures and cheesy goodness that will delight your taste buds.
In this post, I'll list the ingredients you'll need, provide a detailed, foolproof cooking process, and offer invaluable tips to ensure your tuna casserole turns out as the creamiest, cheesiest delight you've ever savored.
This easy, from-scratch old-fashioned tuna casserole is not only a satisfying and delicious complete meal but also makes for a delightful side dish to complement any main course.
Also, check out this easy canned tuna pasta recipe.
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The Best Old-Fashioned Tuna Casserole Made Without Canned Soup
Many casserole recipes call for canned soups (such as cream of celery, cream of chicken, or cream of mushroom soup) to create a rich and creamy dish.
Canned soup is a pantry staple and so convenient, but also packed with sodium.
My version of cheesy tuna noodles casserole doesn't contain canned soup. Instead of using canned soup, I made my own white sauce, also known as béchamel.
Béchamel is so versatile. It is so easy to make and at a fraction of the cost of canned goods. You can use this smooth white sauce in just about any recipe that requires canned soup as one of the main ingredients. And since it's not made with canned soup, you can control the amount of salt you put in this recipe.
Ingredients
To make this easy tuna casserole, you will need the following ingredients:
- Canned tuna in water. Canned tuna provides the protein base for the casserole. It's typically packed in water and adds a savory seafood flavor to the dish.
- Egg noodles. Egg noodles are the pasta component of the casserole. They are soft, wide, and ribbony, providing a comforting texture.
- Celery. Celery adds a crunchy texture and a subtle, earthy flavor to the casserole. It contributes to the overall balance of the dish.
- Yellow onion. Yellow onion, when sautéed, imparts a sweet and savory depth of flavor to the casserole. It's often used as a base in many savory dishes.
- Butter. Butter is used for sautéing the onions and celery, adding richness and a slightly nutty taste to the dish.
- All-purpose flour. Flour is used to create a roux, which serves as the thickening agent for the casserole sauce. It helps achieve the desired creamy consistency.
- Garlic powder. Garlic powder adds a gentle garlic flavor without the pungency of fresh garlic. It complements the overall taste of the casserole.
- Chicken broth. Chicken broth is the liquid base of the casserole sauce. It contributes savory depth and flavor to the dish.
- Whole milk. Whole milk adds creaminess to the sauce and provides a rich, dairy flavor. It helps make the casserole creamy without being too heavy.
- Frozen peas. Frozen peas add color, a burst of freshness, and a slightly sweet flavor to the casserole. They also contribute to the overall texture.
- Cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese is used for its sharp and tangy flavor, which elevates the cheesy aspect of the casserole. It also forms a delicious, golden-brown crust on top when baked.
- Panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are used as a crispy topping for the casserole. They create a delightful contrast in texture when baked, adding a crunchy layer.
- Kosher salt. Kosher salt is used for seasoning. It enhances the overall flavors of the casserole.
- Black pepper. Black pepper provides a subtle heat and a bit of zing to the dish. It complements the other flavors and adds depth to the seasoning.
How to Make Tuna Casserole from Scratch
Step 1. Cook the Noodles until Al Dente
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add a teaspoon of salt, then noodles. Turn the heat down to medium, and cook noodles for about 1 minute less than the direction for al dente (cooked through but still firm).
Step 2. Make the Béchamel sauce
Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery, cook until soft and translucent for about 3-4 minutes.
Add flour, cook, keep stirring for about 2 minutes or until it smells toasted.
Whisk in the broth, milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook, whisking frequently until thickened, about 4-5 minutes.
Adjust seasoning with additional salt or a small amount of bouillon if needed.
Step 3. Combine All Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add pasta, tuna, cheese, frozen peas, and béchamel sauce. Stir to combine then transfer to a 2 to 2½ qt baking dish.
Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle on top of casserole.
Do not use a 9" x 13" or larger baking dish to avoid dry casserole.
Step 4. Bake
Bake in the oven at 425°F until bubbly and the cheese is melted for about 18 minutes.
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Make-Ahead Tuna Casserole
You can assemble and refrigerate this casserole a day in advance. Don't forget to let it sit for 30 minutes at room temperature before baking it in the oven.
How to Store Leftover Tuna Casserole
First, let the casserole cool at room temperature but no longer than 2 hours. After it is completely cool, store it in an airtight container and transfer it to the refrigerator.
Properly stored, this casserole can last up to 3-5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Reheat Frozen Tuna Casserole
I highly recommend defrosting the casserole in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours until completely thawed before reheating.
Here's how to reheat the casserole in the oven:
- Loosely cover the casserole with foil.
- Bake the casserole in the oven at 350°F for about 20-30 minutes or until the casserole reaches 165° F for food safety.
Check Out More Casserole Recipes:
- Corn Souffle
- Green Bean Casserole
- Summer Squash Casserole
- Fresh Broccoli Casserole
- Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don't mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
The Best Old-Fashioned Tuna Casserole Without Canned Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 10 oz (2 x 5-oz cans) canned tuna in water, (drained)
- 9 oz frozen peas
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
Béchamel Sauce:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt into boiling water. Cook noodles for 1 minute less than the direction for al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until soft.
- Add flour, cook, keep stirring for 2 minutes or until it smells toasted.
- Whisk in the broth, milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook, whisking frequently until thickened (as thick as condensed soup), about 5 minutes.Adjust seasoning with additional salt or a small amount of chicken bouillon if needed.
- In a large mixing bowl, add pasta, tuna, cheese, frozen peas, and béchamel sauce. Stir to combine then transfer to a 2 to 2½ qt baking dish.
- Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle on top of casserole.
- Bake until bubbly and the cheese is melted for about 18 minutes.
Barbara says
Very Simila to moms recipe( I'm 73), just used velveta cheese and added a little worcestershire to sauce. We do prefer potato chips crushed with butter for topping, and like the sour cream onion ruffles the best..used to be a big hit at pot lucks and funeral dinners.
Rika says
Hi Barbara,
Your mom's recipe sounds delicious! I'm intrigued by the twist of using Velveeta cheese and adding Worcestershire to the sauce. The potato chips crushed with butter for topping and the choice of sour cream onion ruffles sound like wonderful additions. I'll definitely give it a try, and I can see why it was a big hit at potlucks and funeral dinners.
Best,
Rika
Tracey says
I’m no cook but this was so easy to make. My family devoured it! No leftovers. Sooo tasty & filling.
Rika says
Hi Tracey,
Thanks for sharing the positive experience! I'm delighted to hear that the tuna casserole recipe was a hit with your family.
Best,
Rika
Judi says
Love this recipe because of the ease that it is made! I use one big pot and it is just so easy! I can substitute veggies if I do not have something on hand. Thank you! Delicious!
Rika says
Hi Judi,
You're very welcome! It's great to know that the ease of preparation and the flexibility with veggies make it a hit for you.
Annie says
This was such a great recipe for an easy weeknight dinner with ingredients that are commonly stocked in my pantry. Love that it didn’t call for a can of soup as I don’t typically have that in my pantry but also that it means it’s all from scratch! Best part is that it came together quickly and my kids loved it!
Rika says
Hi Annie,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad the recipe worked well for you and that it was a hit with your kids! I agree, there’s something special about making a meal from scratch—it just tastes so much better! Thanks again for trying the recipe, and I hope it becomes a regular in your weeknight rotation!
Best,
Rika
Donna Fox says
No canned soups and no processed cheese. (I hate Velveeta). Just the recipe I was looking for. Thank you.
Rika says
Hi Donna,
I'm glad you found and enjoyed the tuna casserole recipe! It’s great to hear that it meets your criteria with no canned soup or processed cheese, and it’s all homemade.
Best,
Rika
Jen says
Wonderful recipe! Hubby asked for tuna casserole and my first thought was "eew, but I hate canned cream soup". We have scores of cookbooks but how many have a really good recipe for this old-fashioned comfort dish that would please Hubby AND doesn't use canned cream soup? Probably ZERO. I turned to the internet and your recipe was the first result in the list. It comes together very quickly and I mixed all the ingredients together in 1 pot before pouring it into the casserole dish. The only thing I would do differently next time is prep all the ingredients in advance so they're ready when it's time to add them. This will be our go-to recipe for tuna casserole.
Rika says
Hi Jen,
Thanks a bunch for your kind words about the recipe! I'm super happy you liked it, especially since you weren't keen on using canned cream soup. It's awesome that it turned out to be a quick and easy dish for you and your hubby.
Your tip about getting everything ready beforehand is smart! It'll make cooking even smoother next time.
I'm really honored that my recipe is now your favorite for tuna casserole. I hope it keeps making mealtime awesome for you both. If you ever need more recipes or tips, just give me a shout.
Best,
Rika
J Florance says
Quite tasty. Will make again. Added Fresh Gourmet Crispy Onions on top for the final two minutes. Added crunch is nice extra.
Rika says
Hi J Florance,
Yum, I love that idea with the crispy onions! Adds such a great crunch. Glad it turned out tasty for you—definitely a keeper recipe!
Best,
Rika
Kaitlyn Strader says
I very rarely follow a recipe exact because I always know a better way of doing things (I take pride in my cooking abilities) but I could not think of a better way of making this recipe. It was actually very very good. I did use fresh garlic rather than garlic powder though.
Rika says
Hi Kaitlyn,
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I love that you used fresh garlic that's always such a flavorful choice. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Best,
Rika
DaveyC says
I normally do not comment about on line recipes but I have to ask….
“Where has this recipe been for all these years”….lol. Two of the four members of my family are lactose intolerant so the usual tuna casserole recipes with the “cream of” soups are not a family friendly option. Although I have experimented with a variety of sauces, I have not found a sauce as good or flavourful as the Béchamel Sauce in this recipe. Of course where milk and cheese are called for, I used the lactose free equivalent of each and it turned out perfect and safe for my family. Thank goodness the Internet search lead me to this recipe! I am happy this satisfying comfort food dish has now returned to our table in this home. This is likely the very best tuna casserole the four members of this family have ever had…….good job Rika.
Rika says
Hi DaveyC,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this - your message truly made my day! I am so happy the recipe worked well with lactose-free ingredients and that your family can enjoy the tuna casserole again. It's such a comforting classic, and I'm honored mine made it back to your table.
Rika.