Published: · Modified: by Laureen King
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Classic Tuna Casserole is one tasty casserole recipe. Easy to make and a great economical dish that will have your kids loving tuna!
Classic Tuna Casserole is a great dish that is incredibly quick and easy to prepare. You can whip this recipe up in 15 minutes! Make it ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. Your kids won't even know they're eating tuna, they will just know it tastes great! Be sure to double up this recipe for second helpings!
Classic Tuna Casserole
Laureen King
Classic Tuna Casserole is easy to make. A great economical dish that will have your kids loving tuna!
3.97 from 180 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 436 kcal
Ingredients
- 4 oz macaroni or any pasta you like
- 1 can cream of celery soup
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (7 oz) solid tuna
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
Cook macaroni.
In large bowl blend soup, milk, mayonnaise, mustard together.
Stir in cheese and tuna.
Fold in macaroni.
Pour into casserole baking dish.
Combine breadcrumbs, paprika and melted butter together.
Sprinkle on top of tuna mixture
Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 45-50 mins.
Nutrition
Calories: 436kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 13gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 744mgPotassium: 205mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 760IUCalcium: 269mgIron: 1.3mg
Keyword tuna casserole, casserole
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
If you like casserole recipes be sure to try my family favorite recipe for Super Shepherds Pie
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Laureen King
thanks Kay, it really is a delicious recipe! Make sure to double it up if feeding the big guys.
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Anonymous
Made this tonite for dinner.. oh my gosh.. so good!! Thank you so much for the recipe!!
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Anonymous
Could you use cream of mushroom soup instead of celery?
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Lora Harris
I have made it with Cream of Broccoli soup. Yum!! I figure you can use whatever cream soup you like.
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Lora Harris
Oh just of thought. Maybe, 1/2 can each of Cheese soup and Broccoli. Now that sounds good.
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Laureen King
Hey Lora, Sounds like some great adaptations.
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Susan Tessier
That does sound good.
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Momof2
I just made it with cream of mushroom soup since that is what I have and added celery spice to it... won't know until this evening if it tastes as good as the original but if I remember, I'll comment my review..also didn't have bread crumbs so used soda crackers ..clearly need to get some groceries..lol Oh well, it looks good 🙂
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Jackie
Yes, that is what my mom used, also fine cut celery, onion, and crushed potato chips instead of bread crumbs...the best recipie ever!
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Laureen King
Jackie, I'm going to try it with potato chips, sounds interesting.
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Sharryn
I always use potato chips, love itReply
Kristi
Jackie, I want to use potato chips, but do you still mix them with butter and put them on before you bake or did you add them towards the end of the baking time!?
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Laureen King
Kristi, I have not used potato chips, but I would not mix them with butter as the have a high enough oil content.
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Laureen King
I'm sure it would work just fine, you would just have the mushroom soup flavour come through.
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Anon
Love this dish, definitely a family favourite
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Laureen King
That's great Anon!
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Mary
I have been making this same recipe for 30 years. I found it in a casserole cookbook when I first got married. My family loves it.
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Laureen King
yes this recipe will have the kids loving tuna!
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Deborah
I think I had the same casserole book. I've been making it for years also.🌹Reply
Marelisa
I don't have any cream soups (I live in Venezuela, and we don't find things like that here) what can I use instead?
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Laureen King
Hi Marelisa, I think you may have to do some experimenting as I'm not sure what substitution would give you the same flavour and texture. You can probably start by making a creamy roux.
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Alice Carol Uva
I make it with a homemade cream sauce. Just melt a couple Tbsp.of butter, some flour to make a roux. Couple of cups of milk and some celery salt and pepper.Stir until desired thickness. Then add to tuna and noodles and peas. I use potato chips ground up with butter on top. Then bake.Reply
Laureen King
great adaptations Alice
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Dan
You can use milk thickened with flour and butter. Add some chicken base (bullion powder) goya pollo! It will give you a cream off chicken taste
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Roberta Bliss
Besciamell sauce. Add grated cheese od yoir choice toward the end to give it more flavor 😊
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Dorothy L Snipes
Try cream cheese. Make sure it is soft so it will melt
It is amazingReply
Christine
I made this last night for Fine! Excellent! I doubled it, knowing my husband's hearty appetite. Good thing I did as half of the dish was gone when he was done. Definitely a keeper! Will make again, Thanks!
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Laureen King
Awesome Christine, yes I often double this recipe, love it for leftovers as well!
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Khalil
For the directions, when do you include the creamy celery?
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Laureen King
Hi Khalil, see Step 2, the soup is combined with the milk and mayonaise.
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Carol
I used cream of mushroom soup instead and added peas, it was delicious.
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Laureen King
Mushroom soup tastes great in this casserole, and you can't go wrong adding a veggie.
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Laureen King
Thank you Lorie. I love crushed potato chips on casseroles.
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Pam
Is 4oz of pasta correct? That's like 1/2 a cup...for 4 servings?
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Laureen King
Hi Pam, the 4 oz in weight measurement, that should measure out to appx. a cup and a half
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Chris
Do you cook the pasta or put in uncooked?
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Laureen King
Hi Chris, as per instructions you cook the pasta.
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Helene
Does it freeze well?
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Helena
Excellent recipe! with what do you serve this? any pairings?Reply
Laureen King
Hi Helena, I usually serve with some kind of simple green salad.
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Joyce
Laureen, my family and I consider this recipe the best recipe we've tried for tuna casserole. I prepared it tonight and it was wonderful.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
JoyceReply
Dianne
Didn’t have cream of celery soup so replaced it with tomato soup.I had fresh tuna left over from last night so thought I would try this. 👍👍👍Reply
Laureen King
Way to adapt the recipe Dianne, I bet it was delicious!
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Betty
4 oz pasta equals 2 cups dry pasta
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Star
Just made it...it was great but I course I will spice it up with more tuna and cheese and use cajun seasoning .... but a receipe I will make again soonReply
Laureen King
Hi Star, thank you. Its always great to add your own spin on a recipe. Cajun seasoning sounds great!
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Leela
This is the best tuna casserole we've ever tried. Only had the no-drain package tuna, so used two of those, one regular and one ranch-flavored. The ranch flavor seemed to add a little tang, which we loved. Other than that, the flavors are all so balanced, with every-day ingredients and no-fuss instructions. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!Reply
Laureen King
So Awesome Leela, great adaptations you made to the recipe. Thank you for trying my recipe!
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SanDee Wetzel
Look forward to making for dinner tomorrow night. Have not had a tuna casserole since can remember. Monday night football, never know what time dinner, depending on game. This will be perfect prepare, heat & eat when we are ready.
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Laureen King
Hey SanDee, sounds wonderful for Monday night football! enjoy
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Michelle
I am sorry maybe i am not seeing this but what size can of cream of celery?
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Laureen King
Hi Michelle, regular sized can of soup 10oz
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Arabian Knights
Very good! I packed it for someone's lunch. My changes are minor
I had a packet of 133 gm of Knorr's3 cheese noodles, which I cooked according to directions. That weight is a bit over 4 oz but no matter. I then ground up the noodles because this person has swallowing problems. I skipped the milk and mixed everything, including the liquid from the canned tuna, but the topping in a glass dish and microwavedfor 10 minutes. The ratio of micro to oven is approx 4 to 1.
I added the topping an broiled for mins, just enough to brown it.
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Laureen King
Great adaptations!
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Rachel
My husband proclaimed this the best Tuna Noodle Casserole he's ever had. And he's had many over the years. I used crushed potato chips for the topping instead.Reply
Laureen King
Wow Rachel, that's quite the compliment! And the crushed potato chips sounds tasty.
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Brenda Sanderson
I add peas to mine for a veggie.
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Laureen King
Peas are a great addition Brenda!
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Jaci
I don't really like tuna casserole, but this was delicious.
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Laura
Nice and easy recipe. I used whole wheat pasta and added a cup or so of cooked cauliflower rice and 2cans of tuna along with red onion. Loved the topping with paprika! Definitely use this again.Reply
Laureen King
Your additions sound tasty Laura!
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Tammy
Had anyone ever used canned salmon instead of tuna
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Elle
i've done a salmon VERSION based off of this recipe. you can change up the cream soup to mushroom and mix some dill/salt/pepper in with your buttered breadcrumb mix. (i leave the cheese out entirely for salmon, but sometimes add some lemon juice).
i use the proportions of this recipe with any kind of protein/soup/noodle mix, always turns out well.
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Linda
I used Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Celery soups. Also added some chopped mushrooms and onions. DELICIOUS!!
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Carol
This is the 2d time I've used this recipe. Both times I have omitted the mayonnaise nd paprika. I added a red onion , garlic powder, and seasoning salt. I also used ×2 ,272gm cans of tuna packed in water drained one tin of celery soup, and filled the can with whole milk , 2 1/2 cups of frozen peas and 2 cups of elbow macaroni. It was very good.Reply
Jackie Sloan
I used this recipe except I only had cream of mushroom with garlic. It turned out delish! Thanks!
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Liz
Drain the tuna ??
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Laureen King
Yes Liz, drain the tuna.
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Laurel Jennings
Followed recipe ingredients. Only change was baked for 30 minutes. Super good. Will definitely make again.Reply
Laureen King
Thank you Laurel!
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Cynthia
Can you use broccoli cheese soup if you don't have celery soup? I'm allergic to mushrooms.
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Laureen King
Yes Cynthia broccoli cheese soup will work, it will just have a bit of a different flavor, but still taste great!
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Tiffany
Is that 4oz uncooked pasta? Seems small lol probably stupid question.
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Laureen King
Tiffany, that is 4 oz uncooked pasta.
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Andrea Vollmer
Hallo,
There is no cream of celery soup available in Germany- can i take anything else?
Kind regards,AndreaReply
Linda
This was the best Tuna Casserole I've made. I added 1/4 of frozen peas and some Herbs DE Province spice. Next time I'll add another 1/2 cup of milk because my egg noodles soaked up the sauce.Reply
Patricia
Turned out very good, surprisingly, I really like tuna.
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Megan
This is my family’s absolute favorite recipe. I have made it for my kids since they were all young! And I have to make a double recipe as my husband can eat a whole tray himself!!! We’ve passed it down to the next generation and is now a favorite of my grandkids!!!
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Laureen King
One of my family's as well Megan. A great economical dish!
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3.97 from 180 votes (167 ratings without comment)
