Description
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity, using pantry staples to create a rich, comforting meal. This is the classic, creamy, and savory tuna noodle casserole you remember, complete with an irresistible, crunchy potato chip topping. It’s the ultimate comfort food solution for a busy weeknight!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 8 - 12 ounces Egg Noodles
- 12 ounces Albacore Tuna, drained well
- 21 ounces (2 cans) Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 cup Evaporated Milk (or any milk)
- 1 1/2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated and divided
- 1 cup Potato Chips, crushed
- 1/2 cup Peas (Optional)
- 1/4 cup Onion, finely chopped (Optional)
- 1/4 cup Celery, finely diced (Optional)
- 4 ounces Pimentos, drained and diced (Optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 2-quart casserole dish (9×9 inch) with no-stick spray.
- Cook the Egg Noodles: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions until just al dente (tender but still firm). Drain well.
- Mix the Creamy Filling: In a large mixing bowl, add the drained egg noodles, well-drained albacore tuna, cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the milk. If using, add the optional peas, onion, celery, or pimentos. Gently stir everything together until just combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Gently spoon the noodle mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread it out into an even layer.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the noodle mixture. Sprinkle the crushed potato chips all over the cheese.
- Bake and Rest: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is hot and bubbling around the edges and the cheese is melted. Let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
Notes
- Noodle Tip: Don’t overcook the noodles! They will continue to cook in the oven, so pulling them when they still have a firm bite is the secret to avoiding a mushy casserole.
- Optional Add-ins: This is the perfect time to add your optional ingredients! The frozen peas (no need to thaw), finely chopped onion, diced celery, or pimentos will add wonderful texture, color, and flavor.
- Chip Topping Tip: Don’t crush the chips into dust! You want some larger, irregular pieces. Gently crushing them in your hands as you sprinkle them on works perfectly.
- Resting is Key: Let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the creamy sauce to thicken up just slightly, making it perfect for serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
