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Pioneer Woman Tuna Noodle Casserole

Pioneer Woman Tuna Noodle Casserole - recipe card
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A comforting, creamy tuna noodle casserole with a crunchy panko topping. This classic dish features tender egg noodles, flaked tuna, and a rich homemade mushroom sauce, all baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225g) wide egg noodles
  • 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup / 80g)
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced (about 1/2 cup / 75g)
  • 8 oz (227g) cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp (24g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (355ml) whole milk
  • 1 cup (235ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 2 cans (5 oz / 142g each) solid white albacore tuna, drained and flaked
  • 1 cup (115g) frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/2 cup (60g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, melted (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 6-7 minutes (they will finish cooking in the oven). Drain well and set aside. Do not overcook as they will become mushy.
  2. While the noodles cook, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onion should become translucent but not browned.
  3. Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5-6 minutes. The liquid should evaporate completely, leaving a concentrated mushroom flavor. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to eliminate the raw flour taste. The mixture will look pasty and clumpy — this is correct.
  5. Slowly pour in the milk and broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon and stir in the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes. Do not let it boil hard or the cream may separate.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The sauce should be creamy and slightly salty to balance the tuna.
  7. Remove the skillet from heat. Gently fold in the flaked tuna, cooked egg noodles, and thawed peas. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the sauce. Be careful not to break up the tuna too much — leave some larger flakes for texture.
  8. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the casserole mixture.
  9. Place the skillet or transfer the mixture to a 2-quart (2L) baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. If the topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly for easier serving. Serve hot, scooping through to the crispy topping.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing: Assemble the casserole (without the panko topping) in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the panko topping, and bake as directed (you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the bake time). Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals until hot. For larger portions, reheat in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent the topping from burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: tuna noodle casserole, creamy tuna casserole, classic American casserole, weeknight dinner, easy casserole, tuna and noodles, mushroom soup casserole, baked pasta, comfort food, family dinner

Find it online: https://inspiredbypioneerwoman.com/pioneer-woman-tuna-noodle-casserole/