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Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe Easy Crispy Golden Topping for Dinner Delight

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A comforting and easy-to-make tuna noodle casserole featuring a creamy, savory base and a crispy golden topping that adds delightful texture and flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) egg noodles, cooked al dente
  • 2 cans (5 ounces/140 grams each) tuna in water, drained (chunk light preferred)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces/300 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (100 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup (90 grams) crushed buttery crackers (such as Ritz)
  • 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons (15 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 6-7 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine one can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, and 1/2 cup milk. Stir in minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the cooked noodles, drained tuna, thawed peas, and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the sauce over and stir carefully to coat everything evenly without breaking the noodles.
  5. Spread the tuna noodle mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. In a small bowl, mix crushed buttery crackers with melted butter and optional Parmesan cheese until crumbs are fully coated.
  7. Evenly distribute the cracker mixture over the casserole’s surface.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10 minutes.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Notes

Cook noodles al dente to avoid mushy texture after baking. Drain tuna well to prevent sogginess. For extra flavor, sauté onions before mixing. If topping browns too fast, cover with foil. To keep topping crispy when reheating, add fresh crushed crackers and broil briefly. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated or frozen (without topping).

Nutrition

Keywords: tuna noodle casserole, casserole recipe, easy dinner, crispy topping, creamy casserole, family meal, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/tuna-noodle-casserole-recipe-easy-crispy-golden-topping-for-dinner-delight/