Tuna Noodle Comfort Classic (Print Version)

Tender noodles with tuna and vegetables, topped with a golden parmesan crust for a comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta and Fish

01 - 12 oz egg noodles
02 - 2 cans (5 oz each) solid white tuna in water, drained

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
04 - 1 cup cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 cup celery, diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

08 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
09 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
11 - 1 cup whole milk
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream
13 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
14 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

→ Topping

16 - 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
18 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
19 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil egg noodles in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery; sauté for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook 4 more minutes until tender. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
04 - Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to coat. Gradually whisk in broth, then add milk. Simmer, stirring, until sauce thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
06 - Fold tuna, peas, and cooked noodles into the sauce until evenly mixed.
07 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
08 - Combine panko, parmesan, and melted butter. Evenly sprinkle over casserole.
09 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until topping is golden and mixture is bubbling.
10 - Let stand for 5 minutes, sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • The creamy sauce clings to every noodle, and that panko-parmesan topping gives you the crispy contrast that makes it irresistible.
  • It's the kind of dish that brings people back to the table for seconds without apology.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period—those 5 minutes make the difference between a casserole that falls apart on the plate and one that holds together with dignity.
  • If your sauce looks thin before you bake it, it will thicken further in the oven; overseasoning the sauce while it's hot often leads to regretting it after baking, so taste conservatively.
03 -
  • Cooking the noodles at the absolute last moment and using hot broth means everything combines at a warm temperature, so the texture stays creamy rather than congealing as it cools.
  • A quick spritz of fresh parsley right before serving lifts the whole dish and makes it look like you care, which you do.
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