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Tuna Noodle Casserole (Easy, Creamy & Made From Scratch)

Easy tuna noodle casserole made from scratch with a creamy homemade sauce, tender egg noodles, and a golden crispy topping. A budget-friendly family dinner ready in 45 minutes.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pack egg noodles ( 12 oz )
  • cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 2 cans cans tuna ( drained )
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • ¼ tsp paprika ( optional )
  • panko bread crumbs
For the mushroom sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 small onion ( diced )
  • 8 oz fresh mushrooms ( sliced )
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • cup chicken stock
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice ( optional )
  • salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook your egg noodles for **2 minutes less** than the package instructions indicate
  3. While the noodles cook, melt butter in a large oven-safe skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
  4. Add the diced onion. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until they soften and turn translucent.
  5. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they release their moisture and start to turn golden
  6. Add the flour directly to the vegetable mixture and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes
  7. Now slowly pour in the milk, a little at a time, whisking constantly
  8. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and Dijoin mustard and whisk until well incorporated.
  9. Add in the chicken broth and continuing to whisk until everything is mixed together.
  10. Remove the pan from the heat before adding the cheese. Stir in the shredded cheddar off the heat and watch it melt beautifully into the sauce.
  11. Drain the tuna over a sieve
  12. Pasta noodles should are done and al-dente, drain and leave it in the pan.
  13. Add the creamy sauce to the pasta.
  14. Add the drained tuna, and frozen peas directly into the pasta and sauce
  15. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated and well mixed. Everything should be well incorporated.
  16. Transfer the mixture to baking dish
  17. In a bowl mix together panko breadcrumbs, melted butter/oil, paprika, and salt. Mix together until every crumb is coated.
  18. Spread cheese evenly over the top of the casserole in a single layer.
  19. Spread the panko mixture evenly over the top of the casserole in a single layer.
  20. Bake at **375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until the sauce bubbles around the edges and the topping is a deep golden brown
  21. Once baked, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving
  22. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy