Description
Comforting Tuna Noodle Bake delivers classic American comfort with a modern twist. Cheesy pasta, tender tuna, and crispy breadcrumb topping create a perfect weeknight dinner guaranteed to satisfy hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cans (5 ounces/140 grams each) tuna in water, drained and flaked
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Noodles and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles
- 1 1/2 cups (200 grams) frozen peas
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) warm milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter (for breadcrumbs)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook egg noodles in boiling water until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly.
- Sauté diced onions in olive oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Dust flour over the onion-garlic mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually stream warm milk into the roux, whisking vigorously to eliminate potential lumps and create a silky sauce.
- Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and fold in sour cream, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper until fully incorporated.
- Gently combine cooked noodles, flaked tuna, green peas, and most of the cheddar cheese with the creamy sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and topping with remaining cheese.
- Toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until lightly coated, then sprinkle across the casserole surface.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden and edges become crispy.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh chopped parsley and serving.
Notes
- Choose high-quality canned tuna packed in water for a lighter, fresher taste and less greasiness.
- Swap egg noodles with gluten-free pasta or whole wheat noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Toast panko breadcrumbs beforehand in a skillet for extra crispiness and deeper golden color.
- Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg