There’s just something about a good casserole that makes dinner feel easy, cozy, and complete. This creamy, cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole is everything you want in a comfort food classic: rich, hearty, and loaded with nostalgic flavor. With tender egg noodles, chunks of albacore tuna, sautéed veggies, and a gooey Monterey Jack cheese sauce—all baked under a buttery Ritz cracker topping—it’s the kind of dish that brings the whole family to the table.
Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner or just need a little kitchen comfort, this casserole delivers every time.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may make a commission on purchases and/or clicks (at no extra cost to you). Please read our full disclosure here.
If you grew up eating tuna noodle casserole, this recipe is like a cozy hug from the past—with a little glow-up. It’s everything you remember (creamy sauce, tender noodles, crispy topping), but just a little more elevated thanks to sautéed veggies, melty Monterey Jack cheese, and a buttery Ritz cracker crust.
This dish is perfect when you want something filling and family-friendly without a lot of fuss. It’s the kind of meal that comes together with pantry staples, feeds a crowd, and makes even picky eaters happy. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or some comfort food nostalgia, this tuna noodle casserole is always a good idea.
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Tuna Noodle Casserole
Quick and easy: With simple steps and familiar ingredients, it comes together fast—even on busy nights.
Comforting & nostalgic: It’s a cozy, from-scratch twist on the classic casserole many of us grew up with.
Hearty enough to stand alone: Protein, carbs, veggies, and dairy—everything you need in one dish.
Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for meal prep or prepping in advance for a stress-free dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this flavor-packed casserole:
Egg noodles: Wide egg noodles hold the creamy sauce beautifully.
Butter or olive oil: For sautéing the mushrooms, onion, and garlic.
Fresh mushrooms, sweet onion, and garlic: These aromatics create a rich, savory base.
Condensed cream of mushroom soup & milk: For a creamy, velvety sauce.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt, and pepper keep the flavors balanced.
Frozen peas: Adds color, sweetness, and a veggie boost.
Monterey Jack cheese: Mild and melty—perfect for casseroles.
Albacore tuna in water: Firm, flaky, and packed with protein.
Ritz crackers & butter: The crunchy topping that’s hard to resist.
Fresh parsley or green onions (optional): For garnish and a little freshness.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
Step 2: Cook the noodles. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the vegetables. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the onions are soft.
Step 4: Make the sauce. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
Step 5: Add peas and cheese. Add the frozen peas to the skillet and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese a little at a time until fully melted and smooth.
Step 6: Combine noodles and tuna. Gently fold in the cooked noodles and drained tuna, mixing until everything is evenly coated in the sauce.
Step 7: Assemble the casserole. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Step 8: Prepare the topping. While the casserole bakes, mix the Ritz cracker crumbs with the melted butter in a small bowl. Stir until all the crumbs are well coated.
Step 9: Add topping and finish baking. Remove the casserole from the oven and uncover. Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Step 10: Garnish and serve. Top with freshly chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Tuna Noodle Casserole
Here are some helpful tips to take your casserole to the next level:
Don’t overcook the noodles: Boil them just until al dente. Overcooked noodles can turn mushy during baking.
Drain the tuna well: Too much liquid can water down your sauce.
Use block cheese: Shredding cheese yourself results in a creamier sauce (pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that don’t melt as well).
Add extra veggies: Want more color and texture? Toss in frozen mixed veggies or chopped spinach.
Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add the cracker topping just before baking.
Serving Suggestions
This tuna noodle casserole is satisfying on its own, but here are a few easy sides that round out the meal beautifully:
- Crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette
- Steamed or roasted veggies like broccoli, green beans, or carrots
- Dinner rolls or garlic bread for dipping into all that creamy sauce
- Pickles or olives on the side for a tangy contrast
Want to lighten it up? Serve smaller portions with a veggie-forward salad for a balanced meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm larger amounts in a 350°F oven until heated through (cover with foil to prevent drying out).
This dish also freezes well—just skip the topping, freeze, and add the crackers before baking later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to try sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or even a mix of cheeses. Monterey Jack melts beautifully, but any mild, melty cheese will work.
If you prefer a homemade version, you can make a quick roux-based cream sauce with butter, flour, broth, and cream to replace the condensed soup.
Whether you’re craving comfort food or looking for a freezer-friendly family meal, this Tuna Noodle Casserole is an easy, cheesy classic you’ll want to make again and again.
Want more cozy casserole ideas? Check out our Easy Cheesy Loaded Chicken Tater Tot Casserole for your next weeknight dinner win.
📖 Recipe
Creamy, Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups wide dry egg noodles
- 2-3 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 1 medium sweet onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 22.6 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 12 ounce can solid white albacore tuna in water drained
Ritz Topping
- 1.5 cups Ritz crackers crumbs
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- fresh chopped green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.4 cups wide dry egg noodles
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the onion is soft.2-3 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil, 8 ounces mushrooms, 1 medium sweet onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.22.6 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1.5 cups milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper
- Add the frozen peas and let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.1 cup frozen peas
- Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese a little at a time until fully melted and incorporated.8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
- Gently fold in the cooked noodles and drained tuna until everything is evenly coated.12 ounce can solid white albacore tuna in water
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the casserole bakes, combine the Ritz cracker crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl. Stir until the crumbs are fully coated.1.5 cups Ritz crackers crumbs, 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- After 20 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired, and serve warm.fresh chopped green onions or parsley
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Leave a Reply