03/11/2023
Easy Cheesy Tuna Casserole
No doubt about it, this Cheesy Tuna or Salmon Pasta Casserole without soup is a classic. Flaky canned tuna or salmon, noodles, sour cream in a rich homemade sauce and topped with crackers, breadcrumbs or potato chips for a crunch, it's the ultimate in casseroles!
5 from 1 vote
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PREP TIME
10minutes mins
COOK TIME
1hour hr
RESTING TIME
10minutes mins
TOTAL TIME
1hour hr 20minutes mins
COURSE
Main Course
CUISINE
American
SERVINGS
8
CALORIES
509 kcal
EQUIPMENT
saucepan
13 x 9 inch cake pan
large skillet
cutting board
Sharp knife
colander
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ cups uncooked egg noodle pasta
½ cup butter (divided in half)
¾ cup onion diced (Optional)
½ cup bell peppers green, yellow, orange or red, cored, and chopped
1 cup fresh mushrooms sliced (Optional)
½ cup celery ribs chopped (Optional)
2 cups crumbs (panko, bread, cornflakes, Ritz crackers) crushed or in pieces between ¼ and 1 inch.
1- 3 tablespoons garlic minced
2 small cans tuna or Salmon drained and flaked,
¼ cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
2 cups heavy or whipping cream (35%) or use 1 ½ cups of milk and 1 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup water
cooking spray
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
Cook your pasta of choice according to package directions, to el dente, Drain, and set aside.
Drain cans of tuna (or salmon) and remove any noticeable large bones and flake with a fork. Set aside.
In a large skillet melt ¼ cup of the butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms, celery and onions. Sauté until tender, stirring regularly; about 5 minutes. Add peppers and garlic. Stir for another minute.
Sprinkle flour on top of vegetables and stir until flour is golden; (It is Important to cook the flour for at least 3 minutes to get rid of the flour taste) between 3-4 minutes. Gradually add cream and stir. Add Worcestershire sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens.
Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Add salmon or tuna and pasta. Stir until combined.
Using a spatula, dump mixture into your prepared pan.
Melt remaining butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and add crumbs, cereal or crackers. Remove saucepan from heat and using a fork to coat crumbs or crackers with butter. Sprinkle crumb mixture over top of the casserole.
Bake until top is golden and casserole is bubby; about 30 minutes. Let stand approximately 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
NOTES
Cook the pasta el dente which means slightly firm to the bite. This keeps it from becoming too mushy when baked in the oven.
Don't skip the Worcestershire sauce. It adds depth to the rich cheesy sauce!
Let your casserole cool slightly before serving to make sure all the flavors have blended together nicely
Be sure to drain your canned tuna and pasta well so the sauce stays nice and thick.
If you decide to use potato chips or crispy onions in place of the crumbs, skip the butter added over the top.