Best Tuna Noodle Casserole

This tuna noodle casserole is the best with a classic creamy taste from my childhood. The sauce is rich and creamy but not overwhelmingly heavy. The crunch from the topping and fresh bite from the parsley create the perfect balance. Let's not forget that this is a great budget-friendly meal to feed a crowd!

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 481 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 (12 ounce) package egg noodles
• 1 ½ cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 ½ cups shredded white Cheddar cheese
• ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, divided
• 1 small white onion, minced
• 5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 4 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 cup frozen sweet peas
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add egg noodles and 3 teaspoons salt to the boiling water; cook until tender yet firm to the bite, about 6 minutes. Drain noodles. Return to pot and set aside.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onion and cook until mushrooms are softened and onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add remaining butter; stir constantly until melted. Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in milk and stock and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper.

Step 4

Add sauce mixture to reserved noodles. Stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese, peas, and tuna. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 5

Stir together bread crumbs, remaining 2 teaspoons oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over the casserole.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.