Classic Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles or small pasta shells
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna, drained well and flaked
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed and drained
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions until just tender. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup, Greek yogurt or sour cream, softened cream cheese, milk, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the drained tuna, peas, cooked noodles, and cheddar cheese, if using.
- Fold the ingredients together until the noodles are evenly coated with sauce.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the melted butter.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbling and the topping is lightly browned.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Kid Chef Jobs
- Measure the yogurt, milk, peas, cheese, and breadcrumbs.
- Flake the drained tuna with a fork.
- Stir together the creamy sauce.
- Fold the tuna, peas, and noodles into the sauce.
- Mix the breadcrumbs with cooled melted butter.
- Sprinkle the topping over the casserole.
Adult Helper
An adult should cook and drain the noodles, open and drain the tuna cans, melt the butter, handle the hot casserole dish, and place it in and out of the oven.
Lighter Sauce Variation
For a sauce without condensed soup, blend 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth. Use this mixture in place of the cream of mushroom soup, yogurt, cream cheese, and milk.
Easy Variations
- Replace the peas with broccoli, corn, green beans, mushrooms, spinach, or mixed vegetables.
- Use rotini, penne, shells, or whole-wheat pasta instead of egg noodles.
- Replace cheddar with Monterey Jack, Swiss, mozzarella, or Parmesan cheese.
- Use canned salmon instead of tuna.
- Add parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
- Replace the breadcrumbs with crushed crackers, cornflakes, or potato chips.
Recipe, image, and content from
Kids-Cooking-Activities.com