Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe with a crunchy, buttery, Ritz cracker topping! It’s classic comfort food, perfect for a family dinner.
Casseroles are a classic comfort food that families love! They include meat, pasta, and veggies baked in one dish. Add a simple salad and bread to complete the meal.
Tonia’s Notes
Growing up in Minnesota, a casserole was called a hotdish. Instead of calling it tuna noodle casserole, we it tuna fish hotdish. Our favorite topping was crushed potato chips or shoestring potatoes! Once, my mom forgot to add the tuna, and none of us even noticed because we loved this dish so much!
The best thing about tuna fish casserole is that it can be customized to fit your family and what you have on hand in the pantry. Over the years, I’ve made a few changes to my mom’s old-fashioned tuna noodle casserole recipe. I added sour cream to make it creamier, garlic powder for flavor, and peas for color and texture.
How To Make It
Start by mixing together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery, sour cream, milk, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Then, stir in the drained tuna and frozen peas. Add the cooked egg noodles and gently stir until coated.
Spread the mixture in a greased 9×13-inch dish.
Then, mix together crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter until moistened. Sprinkle the Ritz cracker topping over the casserole and bake at 350˚F or until the topping is golden and the sauce is bubbling.
Topping Ideas
I used original Ritz crackers for this easy tuna casserole recipe because they are crunchy, salty, and buttery. Many different flavors of Ritz crackers are available, including vegetable, bacon, and garlic butter.
- Of course, you can always use bread crumbs or panko instead of crushed crackers. Mix them with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole.
- Or go with the classic we enjoyed as kids: tuna casserole with potato chips or shoestring potatoes! Potato chips can be added before or after baking.
- Another delicious option is French fried onions. They give the casserole additional onion flavor. Add them during the last 5 minutes of baking so they don’t get overcooked.
Other Ways To Make It
You can also make it on the stovetop rather than baking it in the oven!
- Combine the sauce ingredients in a large pot over medium heat.
- Stir in the frozen peas and tuna.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cooked egg noodles.
Another option is to make crockpot tuna casserole. This is an easy, hands-off option for busy days!
- Cook the egg noodles for 1-2 minutes, less than called for on the package.
- In a large crockpot, combine the sauce ingredients. Stir in the frozen peas, tuna, and noodles.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until hot.
You can skip the pasta and use rice for tuna rice casserole.
- Substitute the cooked egg noodles with three cups of cooked rice.
- Then, follow the recipe as directed.
Similar Recipes
- Chicken Noodle Casserole is a thicker, creamy version of chicken noodle soup.
- Taco Casserole is perfect for Taco Tuesday!
- Triple Meat Pizza Casserole is like a meat lovers pizza in casserole form.
- Tater Tot Casserole has a creamy filling topped with crispy tater tots.
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is my niece’s favorite meal!
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 10.5 ounce condensed cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 ounce condensed cream of celery soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 10 oz light tuna in water, drained two 5 oz cans
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 5 cups cooked egg noodles
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. Mix together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, milk, sour cream, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Stir in the drained tuna and frozen peas.
- Add the egg noodles and stir until evenly coated. Spread in a greased 9×13" pan.
- Mix together the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake at 350˚F for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and heated through.
Video
MarC says
Love this recipe! It’s creamy and delicious.
Amy K says
Another hit recipe for my family! Pure comfort food on a chilly night!
Linda Healey says
I’ve been using this recipe for several years now. It’s my go to Tuna Casserole. Wish I could give it 10 stars! Thanks!
Shirley Chapman says
Your recipes sound great
Maureen says
This recipe was delicious