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This from-scratch tuna pasta casserole is creamy, flavorful, and finished with a crisp, buttery topping. Sweet sautéed veggies and a homemade mushroom sauce keep it saucy, while tender pasta and chunks of tuna make it hearty enough for any weeknight. Cozy, comforting, and the kind of casserole you’ll want on repeat.
If you love cheesy casseroles, our seafood mac n cheese is another rich, crowd-pleasing bake loaded with shrimp, salmon, and crab.
Here’s Why This Tuna Pasta Casserole Recipe Works
Made from scratch: No canned soup. Just real ingredients for fresher flavor and a casserole you’ll actually want seconds of.
Creamy, not heavy: A homemade mushroom sauce bakes up smooth and balanced.
Easy frozen peas: Go in straight from the freezer so they stay bright and tender.
Crisp topping: A buttery Panko-Parmesan crust bakes golden and crunchy for contrast with the creamy filling.
For a meatless option, our baked goat cheese pasta brings the same cozy, baked comfort with a tangy, creamy twist.
Recipe Tips
Choose your pasta: Egg noodles are traditional, but rotini, shells, or penne work just as well.
Add extra cheese: Stir in a cup of grated cheddar before baking if you want a gooier, heartier casserole.
Toast the topping: Bake until the breadcrumbs turn deeply golden for the best crunch.
Undercook the pasta slightly: Pull it a minute or two shy of al dente so it doesn’t get mushy as it bakes.
Drain the tuna well: Excess liquid can water down the sauce. Press out as much as you can before adding.
Let it rest before serving: A short 5–10 minute rest after baking helps the sauce settle so portions cut clean.
Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
Reheat gently: Add a splash of milk over leftovers, cover with foil, and warm in a 300°F oven until hot and creamy again.
If you’re in the mood for another classic comfort food dinner, my homemade sloppy joes and creamed tuna on toast are always a hit.
If you like this recipe, try our hamburger potato casserole.
Baked Tuna Casserole
Tuna pasta casserole proves that comfort food can be both cozy and from-scratch. With tender pasta, a creamy mushroom sauce, and a crisp Parmesan topping, it’s a dish that delivers flavor in every bite. Easy enough for a weeknight but satisfying enough to serve a crowd, this casserole is the kind you’ll keep coming back to.
If you’re in the mood for another creamy baked pasta, our turkey tetrazzini is just as comforting and hearty.
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Tuna Pasta Casserole from Scratch
If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating and comment.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry pasta, any shape, cooked and drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery , diced
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cans canned tuna, 5 ounce cans
- 1 ¼ cups Condensed Cream of Mushroom soup , homemade or storebough, 1 can if using storebought
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup frozen peas, not thawed
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and coat a 2.5 quart casserole dish with oil spray.
- In a large skillet set over medium heat, add the olive oil and when it is hot add the onion, celery and red bell pepper. Sauté until the onion is soft, 3-5 minutes.
- Add the tuna, the mushroom soup, milk and the cooked pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine well. Stir in the frozen peas.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and transfer to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile: Mix the bread crumbs, cheese and melted butter in a small dish and when the casserole has baked for the 15 minutes, give it a stir and distribute the bread crumb mixture over the top.
- Continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly around the edges and topping is golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
The ingredients were exactly as they should be. The texture was perfect! It came out very yummy and the whole family liked it?I’m giving it a five star!
Thank you, I’m so happy to hear it was a hit for the whole family. Comfort food at its best 😉
This looks super duper delicious and comforting…a perfect meal in my dictionary.
Thanks, Angie…this tuna casserole was on the table at out house often when I was a kid…..it’s still good!