Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Name: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces of elbow macaroni; 2 - 5 ounce cans of chunk light tuna in water (drained); 1/2 cup of frozen peas; 2 celery stalks (finely diced); 1 cup of chopped onion; 1 can of condensed soup- celery (chicken or mushroom {or make your own homemade version}); 3/4 cup of milk; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1 1/2 cups mozzarella (shredded, divided); 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded, divided); 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper {optional}; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/8 black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole using simple ingredients you can find in your pantry. This meal mixes canned tuna, pasta, peas, cheese and a creamy sauce topped with panko breadcrumbs.

Prep20 min
Cook15 min
Total35 min
Makes6 servings
Calories427

Ingredients

6 servings

8 ounces of elbow macaroni
2 - 5 ounce cans of chunk light tuna in water (drained)
1/2 cup of frozen peas
2 celery stalks (finely diced)
1 cup of chopped onion
1 can of condensed soup- celery (chicken or mushroom {or make your own homemade version})
3/4 cup of milk
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1 1/2 cups mozzarella (shredded, divided)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper {optional}
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/8 black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup of panko breadcrumbs

Method

1
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2
Cook the pasta according to the package. Drain and set aside.
3
In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.
4
In a large mixing bowl combine the tuna, peas, celery, onion and the pasta together.
5
In a medium mixing bowl combine the condensed soup, milk, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese. Whisk well until combined. Stir in the caynenne pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, pepper and salt.
6
Pour the milk mixture into the bowl with the tuna and pasta and mix well.
7
Pour the tuna mixture into a non-stick 9x13 baking dish. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and the panko breadcrumbs.
8
Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and the panko is just toasted. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

To freeze leftover tuna casserole freeze it in the baking dish with foil or in another sealed container. Once the tuna casserole is frozen remove it from the container and store it in a freezer bag. When ready to eat the forzen casserole let it defrost and then cook the thawed casserole at 350 degrees F for about 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. Check the internal temperature on any tuna casserole reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you serve it.