Grandma’s Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole Recipe

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole is an easy dinner with tuna fish and egg noodles baked in a creamy sauce. This classic recipe is a family favorite perfect for busy weeknights!

If you like easy recipes and vintage recipes, you will love my grandma’s old-fashioned tuna casserole with potato chips. It’s super easy, budget friendly and made with simple ingredients from the pantry.

Back in the day, tuna noodle casserole or tuna delight was very popular, especially during Lent. Mom usually made the lighter tunafish salad or tuna fish patties. But, Grandma’s casserole is pretty much the ultimate comfort food.

The classic recipe usually calls for cream of mushroom soup, but we always use cream of chicken soup mixed with cream of celery. I also add veggies and cheese. Like most family recipes, this casserole is easy to customize.

Old-Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients for this hearty casserole. They can be found in most grocery stores or online. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• Canned tuna — Either chunk light tuna or solid white albacore tuna will work. Albacore tuna is a little pricier but doesn’t smell as fishy.
• Egg noodles — Use either wide noodles or medium or the no yolk variety. You can use a shorter pasta like penne pasta if that’s what you have.
• Condensed soup — Cream of celery soup and cream of chicken or whatever cream soup you prefer.
• Milk — to dilute the soup. I use 2 percent, but whole milk or even half and half works.
• Frozen vegetables — I love using mixed veggies with green beans, but peas are a classic.
• Cheese — Use cheddar cheese or a cheddar blend or even sliced American cheese.
• Seasonings — salt, pepper, parsley and onion powder
• Crushed potato chips — any variety for a crunchy topping. You can also use panko bread crumbs or crushed buttery crackers, like Ritz crackers, mixed with melted butter.

You will also need a large casserole dish or 9×13-inch baking dish.

How to Make Classic Tuna Casserole Recipe

First, cook the noodles according to the directions on the package. You can make the sauce while waiting for the water to boil.

Add the creams soups to a large bowl, and stir in the milk until well combined.

Next, drain and flake the tuna — use a fork to cut tuna chunks into smaller pieces.

Then, add the flaked tuna and the seasonings to the cream soup mixture. Stir well.

Add the cooked noodles and veggies to the soup mixture.

Mix everything together until the noodles are well coated with the creamy sauce.

Spoon the mixture into a greased baking dish. I use non stick cooking spray, but Grandma would have greased the dish with butter.

Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the casserole. Then, sprinkle crushed potato chips on top of the cheese.

Cooking Time

Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes in a preheated oven or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling all over. All ovens are different — yours may take a little longer.

I don’t usually cover the casserole, but if you feel the chips are getting too brown, you can cover it lightly with aluminum foil.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Tuna Casserole

Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. It keeps fresh for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger amounts in the oven.

This is a great freezer meal. To make the casserole ahead of time, prepare as usual, but leave off the chips. Refrigerate for up to 1 day or freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge before baking.

Helpful Tips

Egg noodles cook fast, so be careful not to overcook them, or they will be mushy when baked. If you like firmer noodles, cook until al dente, and they will be perfect when baked.

To easily thaw frozen veggies, place them in the colander, and they will quickly thaw when you pour the cooked noodles over them.

Add a quarter cup sour cream or mayo for an even creamier casserole. You can also kick up the flavors with a little bit of paprika, garlic powder or hot sauce.

You can make tuna casserole on the stove or pressure cooker with this Instant pot tuna noodle casserole recipe.

More Easy Casserole Recipes

If you like spice, try my Buffalo chicken casserole. This chicken stuffing bake is perfect for using up holiday leftovers and my cheesy tater tot casserole is a favorite with the kids and the whole family! Or browse more easy casseroles for dinner!

I hope you like this easy tuna casserole as much as we do. For more easy dinners your family will love, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow me on social media.