Campbells Tuna Casserole is a creamy, comforting dinner with tender egg noodles, tuna, peas, and mushroom sauce under a crisp buttery crumb topping. It takes just 45 minutes and works beautifully for busy weeknights.
When you want a warm dinner without a long ingredient list or complicated prep, this casserole is a dependable choice. Everything comes together directly in the baking dish, so there is very little hands-on work once the noodles are cooked.
The combination is simple but satisfying: soft egg noodles soak up the creamy mushroom sauce, tuna makes the casserole substantial, and green peas add a little sweetness and color. A thin layer of buttered bread crumbs provides just enough crunch to contrast with the creamy filling.
It is also a practical dish for family dinners because the ingredients are familiar and the casserole can go straight from the oven to the table. Give it a few minutes to rest before serving so the sauce settles slightly around the noodles.
Campbells Tuna Casserole Ingredients
You only need a short list of everyday ingredients for this classic casserole. Using hot noodles helps the filling combine smoothly before it goes into the oven.
- Medium egg noodles: Form the soft, tender base of the casserole and hold onto plenty of creamy sauce.
- Tuna: Drained tuna adds savory flavor and makes the noodle casserole hearty enough to serve as a main course.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Creates the thick, creamy sauce without requiring you to prepare a separate roux or homemade white sauce.
- Milk: Loosens the condensed soup so it evenly coats the noodles rather than remaining overly thick.
- Frozen green peas: Bring mild sweetness and a pop of color while requiring no advance cooking.
- Dry bread crumbs: Create the light, crisp layer across the top of the casserole.
- Melted butter: Coats the bread crumbs so they brown more evenly and develop a richer flavor in the oven.
Cooking Steps
STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Have a 3-quart casserole dish ready, and cook the medium egg noodles according to their package directions until tender. Drain them and use them while they are still hot.
STEP 2: Add the hot noodles to the casserole dish. Spoon in the condensed mushroom soup, then add the thoroughly drained tuna, frozen peas, and milk.
STEP 3: Stir everything together until the noodles, tuna, and peas are evenly distributed. Take a little extra time to work the thick soup mixture through the noodles so you do not end up with dry pockets in the finished casserole.
STEP 4: Place the uncovered casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. By this point, the sauce should be hot and bubbling around the edges and the peas should be heated through.
STEP 5: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and give the filling a good stir. This redistributes the creamy sauce and helps keep the noodles evenly coated before you add the topping.
STEP 6: In a small bowl, stir the dry bread crumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are lightly and evenly coated. Sprinkle the mixture across the casserole, covering as much of the surface as possible without pressing it down.
STEP 7: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the crumb topping looks lightly golden and crisp. Remove the casserole and let it stand for a few minutes before spooning it onto plates.
What to Serve with Tuna Casserole
Because this casserole already contains noodles, tuna, peas, and a creamy sauce, lighter side dishes tend to work especially well.
- Simple green salad: Crisp lettuce and a tangy dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy noodle filling.
- Roasted vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, or carrots add extra vegetables without making the meal feel too heavy.
- Steamed vegetables: A simply seasoned vegetable side is especially convenient when you want to keep this dinner quick and uncomplicated.
Can I assemble the casserole ahead of time?
Yes. You can combine the cooked noodles, tuna, peas, milk, and condensed soup in the casserole dish ahead of time and refrigerate it covered. Keep the buttered bread crumbs separate so they stay dry, then add them near the end of baking as directed.
If you are baking the casserole directly from the refrigerator, it may need a little extra oven time because the filling starts out cold. Look for bubbling around the edges and a thoroughly heated center rather than relying only on the clock.
Do I need to thaw the frozen peas first?
No. Frozen peas can be added directly to the casserole. The approximately 30-minute initial baking time gives them plenty of time to heat through.
Using them straight from frozen also keeps preparation simple and helps the peas retain their shape instead of becoming overly soft before the casserole is baked.
How do I keep tuna noodle casserole from becoming dry?
Make sure the cooked noodles are thoroughly coated with the mushroom soup and milk mixture before baking. Measuring the milk accurately is also important because it provides the moisture needed to loosen the condensed soup.
Avoid extending the baking time unnecessarily once the casserole is bubbling and hot. The noodles will continue absorbing sauce as they sit.
Can I use a different shape of pasta?
Egg noodles are particularly well suited to this dish because their tender texture works nicely with the creamy sauce. If necessary, another medium-sized pasta can work, but the finished texture will be somewhat different.
Whatever pasta you choose, avoid overcooking it before assembling the casserole because it will continue heating once it goes into the oven.
How can I tell when the casserole is ready?
The casserole should be piping hot with visible bubbling around the outer edges after the first baking period. Once stirred and topped with the buttered crumbs, another 5 minutes should be enough to crisp the surface.
The crumb topping does not need to become deeply browned. A lightly golden, dry, crisp appearance is ideal.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Allow leftover casserole to cool before transferring it to an airtight container or covering the casserole dish securely. Refrigerate it promptly and use it within 3 to 4 days.
For individual servings, reheating in the microwave is convenient. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat in short intervals until thoroughly hot, stirring or turning the portion when practical so the center warms evenly. If the noodles seem a little dry after refrigeration, a small splash of milk can help restore some creaminess.
For a larger quantity, place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover it to reduce moisture loss, and warm it at about 350°F until heated through. You can uncover it for the final few minutes if you want to revive some of the crispness on top.
The casserole can also be frozen, although the noodles and creamy sauce may become softer after thawing. Freeze well-wrapped portions for up to 2 months for the best texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Helpful Tips
- Drain the tuna thoroughly. Excess liquid can thin the creamy sauce and make the casserole watery rather than rich and cohesive.
- Stir after the first bake. This small step is useful because the noodles continue absorbing sauce in the oven. Stirring redistributes moisture before the crumb topping goes on.
- Add the crumbs only at the end. Baking the bread crumbs for the entire cooking time can make them overly dark. Adding them for the final few minutes keeps the topping lightly crisp while the filling stays creamy.
Campbells Tuna Casserole
Ingredients
Casserole
- 2 cups frozen green peas
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cans tuna 10 ounces each, thoroughly drained
- 4 cups medium egg noodles cooked and still hot
- 2 cans Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup 10.5 ounces each, regular or 25% lower-sodium variety
Topping
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the hot cooked egg noodles in a 3-quart casserole dish. Add the condensed cream of mushroom soup, drained tuna, frozen peas, and milk. Stir thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly combined and coated with the creamy sauce.
- Transfer the casserole dish to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the mixture is thoroughly heated and bubbling.
- Remove the dish from the oven and stir the casserole well to redistribute the sauce evenly throughout the noodles and filling.
- Combine the dry bread crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl, mixing until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Scatter the buttered bread crumbs uniformly across the surface of the hot casserole. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the topping becomes crisp and golden brown.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.