• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
BeeyondCereal
  • Recipes
  • Spring Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Spring Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Spring Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Casserole Recipes

    Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Modified: Apr 4, 2025 Published: Jun 26, 2020 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    4.54 from 13 votes

    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole is an easy and classic dinner dish that the whole family can enjoy. With Ritz cracker crumbs on top, green peas, and lots of noodles and cheese, this dish is worthy of seconds.

    Recipe: $9.58 | Per Serving: $1.60 | Servings: 6

    a fork holding up a bite of cheesy tuna noodle casserole.

    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole is a classic comfort food that combines the goodness of tender pasta, creamy cheese sauce, and savory canned tuna. It's a satisfying and easy-to-make dish that many of us grew up enjoying.

    The creamy cheese wraps around the tender noodles hearty chunks of tuna, and bursting vibrant peas creating a harmonious medley of flavors and textures.

    You can easily put this simple tuna noodle casserole together on a busy weeknight or whenever you're in the mood for a cozy, homemade meal. The combination of ingredients is affordable too, making it a budget-friendly option for family dinners.

    If you want more Easy Comfort Food Casseroles, be sure to check out our Easy Shepherd's Pie, Tilapia with Spinach and Tomatoes, and Instant Pot Tater Tot Casserole.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions for Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Storage
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Casserole Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. Simple ingredients. Using some basic ingredients, this recipe is pretty frugal and easy to throw together. Great for tight budgets and low maintenance dinner ideas.
    2. Easy to make. Boil the noodles and saute some stuff in a pot before mixing everything together. This recipe comes together pretty quickly and easily. It's about as easy as our Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole.
    3. Stove top or baked. If desired, after mixing everything together in a pot, you can simply serve and enjoy. You don't have to bake it. We prefer it baked, because of the Ritz topping, but it tastes great when served immediately too (and there are fewer dishes to clean later).

    🥘 Ingredients

    labeled ingredients for cheesy tuna noodle casserole.

    Frozen peas- Adding in frozen peas works best because they'll be warmed through without becoming mushy.

    Canned tuna- I recommend using canned tuna in water that has been drained and fluffed with a fork.

    Cheddar cheese- I like to use sharp or medium cheddar cheese. I recommend the cheese that you shred yourself as it will melt more evenly.

    Ritz crackers- For a delicious buttery topping, adding crushed Ritz crackers is a great idea!

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    🔪 Instructions for Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add in two teaspoons.

    boil noodles, saute onions, and add all ingredients to the pot.

    Step 2: Add the egg noodles to the boiling water (Image 1) and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain into a colander.

    Step 3: Return the pot to the stove and add in the onions. (Image 2). Cook until the onions are soft (about 3 minutes). (Image 3).

    Step 2: Turn off the heat and preheat your oven to 350°F.

    Step 3: Add your noodles, cream of mushroom, cheese, peas, and tuna into the pot. (Image 4).

    mix everything together and add to baking dish, top with crushed crackers and bake.

    Step 4: Stir everything well to combine. (Image 5).

    Step 5: Pour the mix into a greased baking dish. (Image 6).

    Step 6: Crush Ritz crackers and place them into a small bowl with melted butter. Stir to mix and then sprinkle it over the top of the casserole. (Image 7).

    Step 7: Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. (Image 8).

    Serve warm and enjoy.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    1. Using Peas- While canned peas can be used in this tuna noodle casserole, frozen peas offer a more vibrant color and a burst of freshness after baking.
    2. Choosing a Topping- Initially, this casserole was made without any topping. Experimenting with Panko breadcrumbs yielded bland results. Drawing inspiration from my chicken divan casserole topping with crushed Ritz crackers, proved to be the perfect finishing touch.
    3. Creaminess Variation- For a creamier texture, try incorporating up to 1 cup of sour cream.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

    Covered in the fridge, leftover baked tuna noodle casserole remains fresh for approximately 3-4 days.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Can tuna noodle casserole be frozen?

    Yes, tuna noodle can be made and frozen. Simply assemble it as directed and let cool completely in a freezer safe pan. Then place the pan on a baking sheet and cover the top well with foil. Freeze for bout 2 hours until solid, and transfer to a freezer safe bag or wrap very well with plastic wrap. It can last 5-6 months this way. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

    Can tuna noodle casserole be made ahead of time?

    Yes. This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and placed in the fridge for up to 2 days in advance.

    What goes with tuna noodle casserole?

    Serve your tuna noodles with a side of steamed veggies like broccoli or another green vegetable. A simple green side salad or some homemade biscuits all work well.

    cheesy tuna noodle casserole with a serving removed.

    ❤️ More Delicious Casserole Recipes

    • chicken broccoli rice casserole on a plate with more in a baking dish in the background.
      Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
    • a baking dish filled with sausage green bean potaot casserole.
      Sausage Green Bean Potato Casserole
    • a wooden spoon scooping into a tater tot casserole hotdish.
      Tater Tot Corn Casserole
    • 4 different casseroles collaged together.
      24 Easy Comfort Food Casseroles

    If you tried this Tuna Noodle Casserole, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    cheesy tuna noodle casserole in the pan with a serving removed.
    Print Recipe
    4.54 from 13 votes

    Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Cheesy tuna noodle casserole is an easy and classic dinner dish that the whole family can enjoy. With Ritz cracker crumbs on top, green peas, and lots of noodles and cheese, this dish is worthy of seconds.
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 628kcal
    Cost Recipe $9.58 / Serving $1.60
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Measuring Cups
    • Large Pot
    • Colander
    • 9x13 Baking Dish

    Ingredients

    • 1 bag egg noodles (16oz) ($1.48)
    • 2 teaspoons salt ($0.01)
    • 1 cup onion, diced ($0.91)
    • 2 cans (10.5oz) cream of mushroom soup ($1.08)
    • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded ($2.00)
    • 2 cups frozen peas ($0.96)
    • 2 cans tuna, drained ($1.92)
    • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers ($0.97)
    • 2 Tablespoons butter, melted ($0.25)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a large pot of water, boil your egg noodles with 2 teaspoon of salt. Drain and leave in colander. Return pot to stove and cook your onions until soft (about 3 minutes).
    • Turn off the heat and preheat your oven to 350F degrees.
    • Add your noodles, cream of mushroom, cheese, peas, and tuna to the pot. Stir to combine.
    • Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish or casserole dish.
    • In a small bowl, crush your crackers into crumbs and mix with melted butter. Sprinkle mixture over casserole.
    • Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until golden brown and warmed through.

    Notes

    Consider using frozen peas instead of canned for better color and freshness in the tuna noodle casserole.
    To achieve a creamier result, you can add 1-2 cups of sour cream.
    If catering to picky eaters, use 1 cup of sour cream and 1 cup of milk to maintain creaminess without a strong sour cream flavor.
    You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
    Tuna noodle casserole can be made ahead and frozen for up to 5-6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
    Leftover tuna noodle casserole keeps for about 3-4 days when covered in the fridge.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 1412mg | Potassium: 457mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 932IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 355mg | Iron: 4mg
    Author Nicole Durham
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

    More Inexpensive Casserole Recipes

    • peanut butter jelly bread pudding with jars of strawberry jelly and peanut butter in the background.
      Peanut Butter and Jelly Bread Pudding
    • cooked blueberry bagel bread pudding in a white casserole dish with a bowl of blueberries in the background.
      Blueberry Bagel Bread Pudding
    • a serving of southern spaghetti bake on a plate with garlic bead and salad.
      Southern Baked Spaghetti
    • a cast iron skillet full of walking taco casserole.
      Walking Taco Casserole

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dean Klear says

      July 25, 2022 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      You can use cream of celery along with the remains ingredients and it goes off the charts !

      Reply
      • Nicole says

        July 26, 2022 at 7:47 am

        I've never used cream of celery before, but I'm really intrigued! I'll try it next time since this is a regular dish in our homes already 🙂

        Reply
    4.54 from 13 votes (12 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Nicole from Beeyond Cereal

    Hey, I'm Nicole

    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

    Learn More→

    Spring Recipes

    • an iced cinnamon roll monkey bread on a plate.
      Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
    • a whole fresh strawberry pie garnished with whipped cream and sliced strawberries.
      Fresh Strawberry Pie
    • strawberry cream cheese turnovers with fresh berries and one turnover sliced in half stacked on glazed full turnovers.
      Strawberry Cream Cheese Turnovers
    • 4 lemon bars on a plate topped with powdered sugar.
      Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust

    Trending NOW

    • a white bowl filled with cooked canned green beans.
      The Best Canned Green Bean Recipe
    • a bowl of creamy 5 ingredient mac and cheese.
      5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese
    • roasted chicken, carrots and potatoes in a baking dish with a sprig of rosemary on top.
      Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots
    • sliced banana bread on a wooden surface.
      Eggless Banana Bread
    • a sliced beef roast on a cutting board with carving utensils.
      Poor Mans Prime Rib
    • cinnamon rolls with icing on top in an 8x8 baking dish.
      Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls

    As Seen In

    as seen in various articles and websites.

    Footer

    ↑ Back to Top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Public Sharing Policy
    • Pricing Disclosure
    • Accessibility Statement

    Follow

    • Subscribe for FREE eBook
    • Follow on Facebook
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Follow on Pinterest

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Beeyond Cereal --Theme by Feast Design Co.

    a promotional graphic for cheesy tuna noodles casserole.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.