Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole

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Master meal prep with this easy prep, freeze, and bake Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe. Panko, Parmesan, and parsley combine for a flavorful, crunchy tuna noodle casserole topping.

Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Photo: Jason Donnelly
Prep Time:
30 mins
Bake Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Stand Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Servings:
6

Ingredients

  • 3 cup dried wide egg noodles

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 1 cup chopped red sweet pepper

  • 1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)

  • ¼ cup chopped onion

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 - 2 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 ¼ cup milk

  • 1 12 ounce can chunk white tuna (water pack), drained and broken into chunks; two 5-ounce pouches chunk light tuna in water, drained; or two 6-ounce cans skinless, boneless salmon, drained

  • 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese

  • ½ cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs) or soft bread crumbs

  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)

  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley

  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

  1. Lightly grease a 2-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a large saucepan cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Return noodles to pan.

  2. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan heat 1/4 cup butter over medium heat until melted. Add sweet pepper, celery, and onion; cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour, mustard, salt, and black pepper. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly.

  3. Gently fold sauce, tuna, and cheddar cheese into cooked noodles. Transfer noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl stir together panko, Parmesan cheese, and parsley; stir in melted butter. Sprinkle crumb mixture over noodle mixture. (To serve today, omit Step 4. Continue as directed in Step 5, except bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes.)

  4. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap, then with foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight (casserole may still be a bit icy).

  5. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake, uncovered, for 65 to 75 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

416 Calories
22g Fat
28g Carbs
25g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 416
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 95mg 32%
Sodium 779mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 25g
Vitamin C 34mg 170%
Calcium 334mg 26%
Iron 1.9mg 11%
Potassium 431mg 9%
Folate, total 83.1mcg
Vitamin B-12 1.4mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.3mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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