Tuna & Noodle Casserole without Canned Soup
Nothing brings out childhood nostalgia like your mom's tuna & noodle casserole, and this recipe is made with all the yummy ingredients you remember and love about this classic dish (and a few things you'll be glad it doesn't). A simple dinner casserole for the whole family, it's crunchy, creamy, cheesy, and has no canned soup or peas! Potato chips on top give it a salty crunchy finish.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 rib celery (diced, about ½ cup)
- 1 small onion (diced, about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese (grated)
- Salt and pepper
- 10 ounces canned tuna in water (drained)
- 2 cups potato chips (crushed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º.
- Cook the noodles and drain when they are al dente. Set aside.
- Add butter to a skillet, heated over medium heat. Add onions and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Add flour and cook for a minute.
- In a large measuring cup, combine half-and-half and milk and warm in the microwave. Slowly add the milk mixture to the onion mixture, whisking constantly until it has thickened, about 5 minutes. Add cheese and stir until melted.
- Add drained tuna and noodles and spread evenly in the skillet or place everything in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with crushed potato chips.
- Bake for 20 minutes until it is bubbly around the edges.
Barbara's Notes + Tips
- Drain the tuna and the noodles really well before you add them so your filling doesn't get watered down and thin.
- Don't over-boil the noodles or you'll end up with mushy pasta in your casserole.
- You can stir the cheese into the sauce or lay it under the potato chips if you prefer (or, do both!).
- While tuna in water works best, you can use tuna packed in oil, just drain it very well.
Nutrition
Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 473mg | Potassium: 621mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 753IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 354mg | Iron: 2mg
