The Best Creamy From-Scratch Tuna Noodle Casserole

Are you ready to revisit a timeless comfort food classic and make it better than you ever thought possible? Forget the gloppy, metallic taste of canned soup and say hello to the richest, creamiest, cheesiest, and most incredibly delicious from-scratch Tuna Noodle Casserole you’ve ever had. This recipe, inspired by the legendary Chef John, is the ultimate guide to elevating a humble casserole into a true culinary masterpiece.

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a promise that a little bit of love and a few simple, real ingredients can transform a childhood memory into a dish worthy of a special occasion. We’ll show you how to create a luxurious, velvety, homemade cheddar cheese sauce from scratch, and combine it with tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, and sweet peas. Finished with a crispy, golden-brown breadcrumb topping, this is the one tuna noodle casserole recipe you’ll ever need.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Comfort Food Upgrade

What makes this Tuna Noodle Casserole the absolute “best” is its foundation: a glorious, from-scratch cheese sauce. By taking a few extra minutes to make a classic béchamel sauce and melting in real sharp cheddar, we create a depth of flavor and a creamy texture that canned soup simply cannot replicate. The use of high-quality, oil-packed tuna and a final, crunchy Parmesan-breadcrumb topping ensures that every single bite is packed with incredible flavor and texture.

Metric	Time / Level
Total Time	1 hour 15 minutes
Active Prep Time	25 minutes
Difficulty Level	Easy
Servings	8

The Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Casserole

This recipe uses a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.

• The From-Scratch Cheese Sauce: This is the heart of the dish, and what sets it apart.
  • The Roux (Butter & Flour): A simple paste made from melted butter and all-purpose flour is the classic French foundation for a stable, thick, and creamy sauce.
  • Milk: We use cold whole milk to transform the roux into a classic white sauce, or béchamel. Using cold milk helps to prevent lumps.
  • White Cheddar Cheese: For the best, sharpest flavor and smoothest texture, it is crucial to use a good quality block of sharp white cheddar cheese that you grate yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in starches that can make your sauce grainy.
• The Tuna: The recipe specifies tuna packed in olive oil, and this is a key detail for the best flavor. The oil itself is flavorful and adds a wonderful richness to the casserole. High-quality albacore or yellowfin tuna will have the best, firmest texture.
• Egg Noodles: Classic, wide egg noodles are the perfect pasta for this dish. Their tender, slightly chewy texture and ability to soak up the creamy sauce make them the ideal choice.
• The Topping: The perfect crunchy finish. A simple mixture of plain breadcrumbs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil creates a savory, cheesy, and irresistibly crispy crust when baked.

Step-by-Step to the Best Tuna Casserole Ever

Follow these detailed steps to create a perfect, from-scratch cheese sauce and a stunning, bubbly, golden-brown casserole.

Part 1: The Creamy, From-Scratch Cheddar Sauce

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2 (The Roux): In a medium saucepan, melt the 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Sauté, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion has softened and turned translucent.

Step 3: Sprinkle the 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the onions. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, for 3 full minutes. The mixture will be thick and pasty. This step is crucial for cooking out the raw flour taste.

Step 4 (The Béchamel): While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the 4 cups of cold milk. Continue to whisk vigorously to ensure the sauce is completely smooth and free of any lumps.

Step 5: Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring often. As it heats, the sauce will thicken beautifully.

Step 6 (The Mornay): Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately whisk in the 1 cup of shredded white Cheddar cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. Set the cheese sauce aside.

Part 2: Cook the Noodles and Assemble

Step 1: While you are making the sauce, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rapid boil. Add the egg noodles and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they are about halfway cooked but still very firm to the bite (al dente).

Pro Tip: It is very important to undercook your noodles at this stage, as they will continue to cook in the hot sauce in the oven.

Step 2: Drain the par-cooked noodles well and add them to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Pour the reserved cheese sauce over the hot noodles. Add the drained and crumbled tuna, the thawed and drained frozen peas, the pinch of cayenne pepper, the black pepper, and the Worcestershire sauce.

Step 4: Mix everything together with a large spatula until all the ingredients are evenly combined and every noodle is coated in the creamy sauce.

Part 3: Top and Bake to Golden Perfection

Step 1: Pour the noodle mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch casserole dish and spread it into an even layer.

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup of plain bread crumbs, the 1/2 cup of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Use a fork or your fingers to toss the mixture until it is combined and resembles wet sand.

Step 3: Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is a beautiful, deep golden brown.

Step 5 (The Final, Crucial Step!): Let the casserole sit for at least 10 minutes before you cut into it and serve. This allows the hot, creamy sauce to set up slightly, so your servings will hold their shape beautifully.

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Tuna Noodle Casserole is a fantastic dish for leftovers and is perfect for making ahead.

• Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole (without the breadcrumb topping) up to a day in advance. Let the noodle mixture cool, then place it in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Prepare the topping and store it in a separate airtight container at room temperature. When ready to bake, sprinkle the topping over the casserole and bake as directed (you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time).
• Storage: Store any leftover casserole, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat the casserole is in the oven. Place it in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F until it is hot and bubbly. You can remove the foil for the last few minutes to re-crisp the topping.

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Creative Recipe Variations

This classic comfort food recipe is a wonderful base for your own delicious and creative additions.

1. Use a Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of tuna, you can easily swap it for an equal amount of canned salmon (be sure to remove any skin and bones), or about 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken.
2. Add More Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables to make this an even more complete meal. About 1 cup of sautéed, sliced mushrooms or 1 cup of steamed, chopped broccoli florets would both be fantastic additions.
3. Make it a Spicy Tuna Casserole: For a delicious kick of heat, you can add 1/4 cup of chopped, pickled jalapeños to the noodle mixture, or you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper and add a teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce to the cheese sauce.

Enjoy The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole!

You’ve just created a truly special, from-scratch version of an all-time American classic. This homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole is a perfect harmony of creamy, cheesy, savory, and crunchy. It’s a rewarding, deeply satisfying, and nostalgic meal that is guaranteed to be a massive hit with your entire family. It’s the kind of food that tastes like home.

We hope you enjoy every last, warm, cheesy, and delicious bite!

If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves classic comfort food!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)