This Tuna Noodle Casserole delivers a modern twist on the retro classic while staying true to its humble roots! A huge crowd pleaser!
Thank you Arla Lactofree for sponsoring this post and keeping Vikalinka family pain free!!
Tuna Noodle casserole usually evokes quite strong feelings. Both good and bad. I didn’t grow up eating this American classic but I have experienced it as a young adult while attending college in Minnesota.
I can’t say I was thrilled whenever it was on the menu. The tuna noodle casserole, we were served in our college cafeteria, was quite a bland mixture held together by copious amounts of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup and mayonnaise. No, it didn’t leave a good impression.
What possessed me to re-make it you might ask? I guess the realisation that the basis of it is quite good and if used with quality ingredients and infused with flavour, could be healthy and nutritious.
Not to mention, extremely cheap. Yes, tuna noodle casserole is very inexpensive way to feed a crowd. It is also quite convenient as you can make it ahead of time and freeze it until needed. The quality will remain the same.
The idea for this tuna noodle casserole came from a tuna melt I made one day using tuna, capers, mayo, mustard and tarragon on a slice of sourdough.
I was just playing around and using the ingredients I had. When I took the first bite, the taste of it blew my mind! So turning the sandwich into a hot casserole made from scratch was a no brainer.
What goes into Tuna Noodle Casserole without Cream of Mushroom Soup?
The recipe I am sharing today is a creamy and cheesy riff off the retro version we all know. I updated the recipe by swapping out the Campbell’s cream of mushroom sauce for a much more sophisticated, homemade cream sauce.
This homemade sauce is very easy to make and it actually compliments the rest of the ingredients instead of competing with them like the cream of mushroom soup does. Capers, tarragon (game changer), a splash of white wine and dijon mustard all work so well in combination with tuna.
Let me tell you…this dish was such a hit with my kids. It became an instant family favourite. If you don’t like tarragon, use parsley but I beg you to give tarragon a chance.
How to make a tuna noodle casserole healthy
I decided to use wholewheat fusilli and also added cavolo nero kale for extra nutrition. Top finish it off, I sprinkled some cheese and herb and garlic breadcrumbs.
I know it may sound like a presumptuous statement but I think I created the tastiest tuna noodle casserole ever!! Another win is it takes 30 minutes to prepare and it is so inexpensive!!
What can I serve with Tuna Noodle Casserole?
One of the best things about this dish is that it’s a one pan dinner since we have starch, protein and a vegetable cooked together.
So all you need to round off your meal is a green vegetable salad.
More old fashioned casserole recipes with a modern twist
- Brie and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
- Shepherd’s Pie
- Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup Pasta Bake
- Bakes Sausage Pasta with Arugula
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh tarragon leaves chopped
- 1 tbsp flour
- 125 ml/1/2 cup white wine
- 250 ml/1 cup cream
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp capers
- salt and pepper
- 2 X160g cans of tuna
- 1/2 lbs wholewheat pasta
- 100 g/1 cup kale or spinach chopped
- 75 g/1/2 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 2 tbsp herb and garlic breadcrumbs recipe link in the text
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil, add 1 tsp of salt and cook pasta according to package directions.
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F.
- Make the cream sauce by melting the butter in a large pan and sautéing chopped onion with fresh tarragon in it over low heat until onion is tender and tarragon is fragrant for approximately 7 minutes.
- Add flour and cook while stirring for one minute, then add wine, let it bubble for a few seconds, then add cream, mustard and capers, cook for additional 3-4 minutes over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, add salt to taste and take it off the heat.
- Drain pasta when cooked and add directly to the sauce, then add drained tuna, chopped kale, gently toss to combine, add additional salt if needed.
- Sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs (* At this point you can freeze the casserole and cook it at a later date.) Or if cooking immediately, bake in the preheated oven uncovered for 20 minutes until the top is golden and the tuna noodle casserole is heated through.
This is the best tuna noodle casserole ever. I made it today, shared two thirds of it with my son and d-i-l and may well make it again tomorrow and freeze it.
That is amazing, Linda! Thank you for sharing this with me!
This was delish! I added peas for extra nutrition and swapped the tarragon for dill (no tarragon at the store).
Next time I will try a lighter cream and whole-wheat pasta to make it healthier – can’t wait.
Do you think mushrooms would be a good add?
Thanks so much for this one!
These are excellent substitutions and yes, mushrooms would also go well here. Thank you for your lovely comment!
I never would have thought to add tuna to a casserole. This is brilliant and I cannot wait to try this for dinner. Thanks so much for sharing.
This tuna casserole looks like the perfect comfort meal. Love how you made it with wholewheat pasta and all the greens. Yum!
Now, this is the best looking tuna noodle casserole I’ve ever seen. A week after my husband and I got married we were grocery shopping together and he insisted I purchase hamburger helper tuna noodle casserole from a box. I told him I would much rather make it from scratch. But being the good wife I am I still bought it. Let’s just say he has never questioned my cooking advice since that day lol. Homemade is always better! I love how you added a healthier spin on this tuna casserole with the whole wheat fusilli and kale.
Making anything from scratch is always better unless it’s junk food. hahaha Thanks so much, Dina!
Canned tuna casserole looks so good. My hubby has been trying to get as much protein in as possible and he has been on a tuna kick. I am excited about this dish!
I am so glad to hear it, Nat! Tuna is an amazing source of protein and paired with wholewheat pasta this tuna casserole could be such a healthy option!