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Comforting Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe with Easy Creamy Cheese Sauce

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A nostalgic and easy-to-make tuna noodle casserole featuring a homemade creamy cheese sauce, tender noodles, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for family dinners and cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces egg noodles (or any pasta of choice, like elbow macaroni)
  • 2 cans (5 ounces each) chunk light tuna in water, drained
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend if needed)
  • 2 cups whole milk, warmed (use dairy-free milk like oat or almond if preferred)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • Optional add-ins: 1 cup frozen peas or chopped green beans
  • Optional add-ins: ½ cup finely chopped onion or shallots

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling and golden.
  4. Slowly pour in 2 cups warm whole milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir until sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Mix in Dijon mustard, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, gently fold together cooked noodles, drained tuna, and creamy cheese sauce. Add optional peas or onions if using. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Pour mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
  8. In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and optional grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbling around edges.
  10. Let casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Warm the milk before adding to the roux to prevent lumps. Do not overcook noodles as they will finish cooking in the oven. Drain tuna well to avoid watery casserole. Use panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter for a crispy topping. Let casserole rest after baking for easier serving. Can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian with substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: tuna noodle casserole, creamy cheese sauce, comfort food, easy casserole, family dinner, cheesy tuna casserole

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/comforting-tuna-noodle-casserole-recipe-with-easy-creamy-cheese-sauce/