John Miller
Tuna casserole with cream of mushroom is a classic, comforting dish that combines the richness of creamy sauce with the hearty flavor of tuna, making it a perfect meal for any occasion. This easy-to-prepare recipe typically features canned tuna, egg noodles, and a velvety cream of mushroom soup base, often enhanced with cheese, peas, and breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying potluck contribution, this casserole is a timeless favorite that’s both simple and delicious.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Tuna (canned, drained), cream of mushroom soup, egg noodles, peas |
| Additional Ingredients | Onion, garlic, cheese (cheddar or Parmesan), breadcrumbs, butter, milk |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes (prep: 15 mins, bake: 20-25 mins) |
| Servings | 4-6 |
| Oven Temperature | 350°F (175°C) |
| Cooking Method | Bake in oven |
| Texture | Creamy, cheesy, and hearty |
| Flavor Profile | Savory, umami, slightly earthy from mushrooms |
| Dietary Considerations | Not vegetarian, contains dairy and gluten (unless modified) |
| Optional Add-Ins | Mushrooms (fresh or canned), celery, carrots, pimentos |
| Topping Options | Crushed potato chips, Ritz crackers, or additional cheese |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 3 days; freezes well for up to 2 months |
| Reheating Instructions | Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or microwave until heated through |
| Popular Variations | Using rice instead of noodles, adding spices like paprika or thyme |
| Nutritional Highlights | High in protein, contains carbohydrates from noodles, moderate in fat |
| Difficulty Level | Easy, beginner-friendly |
| Best Served With | Green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
- Gather Ingredients: Tuna, cream of mushroom soup, pasta, peas, cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, garlic
- Prepare Pasta: Cook pasta al dente, drain, and set aside for casserole assembly
- Mix Ingredients: Combine tuna, soup, peas, cheese, and pasta in a baking dish
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle breadcrumbs and cheese on top for a crispy, golden finish
- Bake & Serve: Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and heated through
Gather Ingredients: Tuna, cream of mushroom soup, pasta, peas, cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, garlic
To begin crafting your tuna casserole with cream of mushroom, the first step is to gather all the necessary ingredients. Start by ensuring you have tuna, preferably canned and packed in water for a lighter option, though oil-packed tuna works too. Next, grab a can or two of cream of mushroom soup, which serves as the creamy base of your casserole. This ingredient is key to achieving that rich, savory flavor. Don’t forget to pick up pasta, ideally egg noodles or medium shells, as they hold the sauce well and add a comforting texture. Fresh or frozen peas will add a pop of color and a touch of sweetness to balance the dish.
Moving on, cheese is a must for that gooey, melted topping. Shredded cheddar or a blend of cheddar and Parmesan works wonderfully. Breadcrumbs are essential for adding a crispy, golden crust to your casserole—plain or seasoned, depending on your preference. You’ll also need milk to thin out the cream of mushroom soup and create a smoother consistency. For aromatics, grab a onion and garlic to infuse the dish with depth and flavor. A medium-sized yellow onion and a couple of garlic cloves should suffice.
As you gather these ingredients, take a moment to check their quantities. For a standard 9x13-inch casserole, you’ll typically need two cans of tuna, two cans of cream of mushroom soup, 8 ounces of pasta, 1 cup of peas, 1 cup of shredded cheese, ½ cup of breadcrumbs, ½ cup of milk, 1 diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Adjust the amounts based on your serving size or personal preference.
Once you’ve assembled everything, lay out your ingredients in a way that makes them easily accessible during the cooking process. This preparation ensures a smooth and efficient workflow. Having all your ingredients ready before you start cooking is a pro tip that saves time and prevents mid-recipe scrambling.
Finally, take a quick inventory to confirm you haven’t missed anything. Tuna, cream of mushroom soup, pasta, peas, cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, and garlic—each plays a vital role in creating a delicious tuna casserole. With everything in place, you’re now ready to move on to the next step: preparing your ingredients for the casserole.
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Prepare Pasta: Cook pasta al dente, drain, and set aside for casserole assembly
To prepare the pasta for your tuna casserole with cream of mushroom, start by selecting the right type of pasta. Egg noodles or medium-sized pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni work best for this dish. Measure out the amount specified in your recipe, typically around 8 ounces (about 225 grams), which will serve 4 to 6 people. Fill a large pot with 4 to 6 quarts of water, ensuring there’s enough space for the pasta to cook without sticking together. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt to the water to enhance the pasta’s flavor. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Once the water is boiling, carefully add the pasta and stir immediately to prevent it from clumping. Set a timer according to the package instructions, but aim to cook the pasta *al dente*. Al dente pasta is cooked through but still firm to the bite, ensuring it doesn’t become mushy when baked in the casserole. Taste a piece a minute before the suggested cooking time to check its texture. If it’s tender but still slightly firm, it’s ready. Overcooking the pasta at this stage can lead to a soggy casserole, so be attentive.
When the pasta is al dente, promptly drain it in a colander placed in the sink. Shake the colander gently to remove excess water, but don’t rinse the pasta, as the starch on its surface helps the sauce adhere later. If you’re not assembling the casserole immediately, toss the pasta with a small amount of olive oil or butter to prevent it from sticking together. Place the drained pasta in a large mixing bowl or on a baking sheet to cool slightly and set it aside until you’re ready to combine it with the other casserole ingredients.
While the pasta is resting, you can prepare the remaining components of the casserole, such as mixing the cream of mushroom soup, tuna, and other ingredients. Ensuring the pasta is fully drained and slightly cooled before assembly will help maintain the casserole’s texture. Properly cooked and prepared pasta forms the foundation of a delicious tuna casserole, so take care to follow these steps precisely for the best results.
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Mix Ingredients: Combine tuna, soup, peas, cheese, and pasta in a baking dish
To begin the process of mixing the ingredients for your tuna casserole, start by preparing your baking dish. A standard 9x13-inch baking dish works well for this recipe, ensuring there’s enough space for all the ingredients to combine evenly. Lightly grease the dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking, which will also help with cleanup later. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in your recipe, typically around 350°F (175°C), while you prepare the ingredients.
Next, open and drain the cans of tuna thoroughly. Using a fork, flake the tuna into smaller pieces directly into the baking dish. This ensures the tuna integrates well with the other ingredients. If you’re using fresh or frozen peas, measure out about 1 cup and add them to the dish. Frozen peas can be added directly without thawing, as they’ll cook fully in the oven. If using canned peas, drain them first to avoid excess liquid in the casserole.
Now, it’s time to incorporate the cream of mushroom soup. Pour two cans of undiluted cream of mushroom soup over the tuna and peas. Use a spatula or large spoon to gently fold the soup into the mixture, ensuring the tuna and peas are evenly coated. The soup acts as the binding agent, creating a creamy base for the casserole. If you prefer a slightly thinner consistency, you can add a splash of milk or water to the soup before mixing, but this step is optional.
Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish. Typically, 8 ounces (about 2 cups) of cooked egg noodles or macaroni works well. Ensure the pasta is al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Gently toss the pasta with the tuna, peas, and soup mixture until everything is well combined. This step is crucial for achieving a cohesive casserole where all the flavors meld together.
Finally, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Cheddar or Colby Jack are popular choices, but you can also use a blend of cheeses for added flavor. Aim for about 1 cup of shredded cheese, distributing it evenly across the surface. The cheese will melt and create a golden, bubbly topping during baking. Once all the ingredients are combined and the cheese is added, your baking dish is ready to go into the oven for the final step of cooking.
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Add Toppings: Sprinkle breadcrumbs and cheese on top for a crispy, golden finish
Once your tuna casserole is assembled and ready for the oven, it’s time to focus on the final step that will elevate its texture and appearance: adding the toppings. The key to achieving a crispy, golden finish lies in the combination of breadcrumbs and cheese. Start by evenly sprinkling a generous layer of breadcrumbs over the entire surface of the casserole. Plain breadcrumbs work well, but you can also use seasoned varieties for added flavor. The breadcrumbs will toast in the oven, creating a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy interior of the casserole.
Next, it’s time to add the cheese. Grated cheddar is a popular choice, as its sharp flavor pairs perfectly with the tuna and cream of mushroom base. However, you can also experiment with other cheeses like Parmesan, Gruyère, or even mozzarella for a gooey, melted texture. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the breadcrumbs, ensuring every part of the casserole is covered. This layer will melt and bubble, forming a golden-brown crust that’s both visually appealing and delicious.
For an extra touch of richness, consider drizzling a small amount of melted butter over the breadcrumbs before adding the cheese. This helps the toppings brown more evenly and enhances their crispiness. Alternatively, you can mix the breadcrumbs with a bit of butter beforehand to ensure they clump together and stay in place during baking. This step is optional but highly recommended for achieving the perfect texture.
As the casserole bakes, the breadcrumbs and cheese will transform into a tantalizing crust. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of cooking to ensure it doesn’t burn. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil and remove it toward the end of the baking time. The goal is to achieve a uniformly golden, crispy topping that invites you to dig in.
Finally, once the casserole is out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the toppings to set and ensures they stay intact when you dish it out. The combination of the creamy, savory casserole and the crunchy, cheesy topping will make every bite a satisfying experience. Adding breadcrumbs and cheese is a simple yet effective way to take your tuna casserole with cream of mushroom to the next level.
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Bake & Serve: Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and heated through
To prepare a delicious tuna casserole with cream of mushroom, the final step is crucial: baking it to perfection. Bake & Serve: Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and heated through. Before placing your casserole in the oven, ensure your oven is preheated to 350°F. This temperature is ideal for cooking the casserole evenly without drying out the ingredients. While the oven heats up, lightly spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or grease it with butter to prevent sticking. Once your casserole is assembled—typically with layers of cooked egg noodles, flaked tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and shredded cheese—cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture during the initial baking period.
After preheating, carefully place the casserole dish in the center of the oven to ensure even cooking. Set a timer for 25 minutes to keep track of the baking time. During this time, the casserole will begin to heat through, and the flavors will meld together. The cream of mushroom soup will thicken, and the cheese will start to melt, creating a creamy and comforting texture. Avoid opening the oven door frequently, as this can cause temperature fluctuations and affect the cooking process.
At the 25-minute mark, remove the foil to allow the top to brown and become bubbly. This step is essential for achieving a golden, crispy topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy interior. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the edges are bubbling vigorously. This bubbling indicates that the casserole is hot throughout and ready to serve.
Once the casserole is bubbly and heated through, carefully remove it from the oven using oven mitts, as the dish will be very hot. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly, making it easier to portion and serve. This resting period also ensures that the casserole holds its shape and doesn’t fall apart when scooped onto plates. The final result should be a hearty, flavorful dish with a creamy mushroom and tuna filling, topped with a golden, cheesy crust.
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Frequently asked questions
You’ll need canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, egg noodles or pasta, peas (optional), shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
Yes, you can sauté fresh mushrooms in butter, add flour to make a roux, and then stir in milk to create a homemade mushroom sauce. However, using cream of mushroom soup is quicker and more traditional for this recipe.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Yes, you can assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
