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Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole Without Canned Soup

A creamy, baked tuna noodle casserole without cream soup with a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping.
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Make a comforting, homemade tuna casserole using a simple white sauce binder instead of condensed soup. This recipe delivers classic flavor with accessible ingredients.

Ingredients

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  • 12 ounces egg noodles
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 (5 ounce) cans tuna in water, drained well
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain them well and set aside.
  3. Make the white sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. This cooks out the raw flour taste.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese melts completely into the sauce. This is your homemade creamy tuna casserole binder.
  6. Gently fold the drained tuna, cooked noodles, and frozen peas into the cheese sauce until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use milk instead of water when cooking the noodles, if desired.
  • If you prefer a tangier flavor in your alternative creamy tuna casserole, substitute 1/4 cup of the milk with sour cream, stirring it in after removing the sauce from the heat.
  • You can use panko breadcrumbs for a crispier topping on your scratch made tuna bake.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/tuna-noodle-casserole-without-cream-soup/