Easy Tuna Casserole (with macaroni) is a comforting, economical, and delicious dinner idea. This easy 4 ingredient Tuna noodle Casserole is made with pantry items like macaroni, canned tuna, and mushroom soup. Made without bread crumbs, its crowning glory is melted cheese; simple comfort food at its finest!
This Old Fashioned tuna casserole is a quick weeknight dinner for busy nights, and the ultimate comfort food!
🍒Reader Review
"Turned out great! I didn't have cream of mushroom so I used cream of broccoli and added some broccoli diced up. Kids even liked it!"⭐⭐⭐⭐
Leah
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This Easy Tuna Macaroni Casserole is one of those macaroni recipes. It's a recipe my Mom used to make and it's pure comfort food!
🥘 Ingredients
You can use any noodle you want in this Tuna Fish Casserole but I prefer to use macaroni- it's just so comforting. Plus, I always have macaroni in my pantry.
It's a pretty simple tuna casserole; you only need:
- elbow macaroni
- canned tuna fish
- cream of mushroom soup
- cheddar cheese
- green onions (optional garnish)
*see recipe card for quantities
My Mom never put bread crumbs on her Tuna Macaroni Casserole as many recipes call for. Instead, we use cheese because melted cheese just makes everything better....
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Cream Soup - you could use another type of cream soup or make your own "cream of anything" (scroll to #17)
- Cheese - you could use another type of cheese such as Monterey Jack instead of cheddar
Tuna casserole has been around for a long time, but as I said, it traditionally has bread crumbs, cornflakes, or potato chips as a topping. And as far as the history of this casserole goes, melted cheese is a relatively recent addition. You can read more about the history of tuna casserole HERE.
🍽Equipment
You will need a box grater, a casserole dish, and a large pot. *See recipe card for recommended equipment links and photos
🥗 What to serve with Tuna Casserole?
A side salad or mixed vegetables always goes well with this dish. Here are some more ideas:
And if you love the combination of tuna and macaroni, then check out my Tuna Macaroni Salad ; it's the perfect quick and easy side salad.
👪 Serving Size
This tuna casserole makes 6 servings about 1 ⅓ cups each. However, you can half, double, or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🌡️Storage
Store this tuna casserole in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Tuna tends to taste and smell very fishy if you leave it in the fridge for more than 2 days.
This recipe will freeze well in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
So, if you are looking for an easy meal, this Easy Tuna Casserole is a comforting dinner that the whole family will love!
📋 Tuna Casserole (with macaroni) Recipe
Ingredients
- 340g - pkg of macaroni
- 2 170 g cans of tuna, drained
- 10 oz -can of cream of mushroom soup (condensed cream of mushroom soup)
- 3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
Garnish
- green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees f and spray a large casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray
- Cook macaroni as per package directions (until al dente) and drain.
- Mix in cream of mushroom soup and tuna into cooked pasta and pour into baking dish.
- Spread grated cheese evenly over macaroni mixture.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes.
Garnish
- Sprinkle green onions over casserole. Serve warm.
Leah
Turned out great! I didn't have cream of mushroom so I used cream of broccoli and added some broccoli diced up. Kids even liked it!
Terri Gilson
Hi Leah-so glad to hear you all loved it and it turned out!
Terri
Susan Clark
I have in the past about 30 years ago, put a can of green green peas,if you like them, but also you probably could use your favorite veggie! I love it also.
Terri Gilson
Hi Susan,
Yes, I do like them - will try that! Thanks for the suggestion.
Terri
David
Hi Terri... The nutrition info doesn't list the serving size? Or are my eyes playing up? hehe Thanks!
Terri Gilson
Hi David,
No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you! It's divided by 6 servings, so that would be about a cup.
Thanks!
Terri
David
Hi Terri,
Thanks! Looks like it's one of those "you can't eat just one" things hehe But I'm going to squeeze a cup of this into my diabetic diet, one way or another.
Be safe,
David
Caroline
I have to admit my spelling has it's moments! Looks like a comforting favorite.
Terri Gilson
haha thanks!
colleen kennedy
We never had this growing up, it wasn't until I was about 20 that I had it at my boyfriend's parents house. Loved the warm tuna and mac mingling with the cheese. Now I have to make it! Been too long!
Terri Gilson
It's such a comfort food!
Ariella
Great to be able to turn these pantry items into a delicious meal.
Terri Gilson
It is - I always have these on hand!
Sue Ringsdorf
I love a good tuna casserole, and this one is the BEST! Thanks for sharing, Terri!
Eileen Kelly
Absolutely delicious! The family loved this big bowl of comfort food. The tuna casserole is a hit.
Carlos Leo
This is the perfect recipe for the current situation right now. Made with pantry staples! Great Recipe!
Sue Ringsdorf
Simple recipes that use pantry staples are the best right now. Thanks for sharing this, Terri!
Anne Lawton
MMM! I have not made a tuna noodle casserole, and now I have a new recipe to make it.
Laura
Tuna noodles are such a perfect comfort food. And we all need that right now.
Terri Gilson
Yes we do...