Creamy Tuna Casserole With Pasta (Printable Version)

Comforting baked pasta with tender noodles, flaky tuna, sweet peas, and creamy sauce under a golden crunchy topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz egg noodles or fusilli

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup frozen peas
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Tuna

05 - 2 cans (6 oz each) tuna in water, drained

→ Sauce

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 - 1 1/2 cups milk
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
13 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Topping

14 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
16 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle flour evenly over the onion mixture. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the mixture forms a paste.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk, ensuring no lumps form. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring continuously until sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
06 - Stir in sour cream, salt, black pepper, dried thyme (if using), and shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.
07 - Add drained tuna, frozen peas, and cooked pasta to the sauce. Gently fold until all ingredients are evenly coated.
08 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
09 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
10 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until sauce is bubbling and topping is golden brown.
11 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce hugs every noodle perfectly without being heavy or overwhelming
  • It comes together quickly but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The crispy topping against the tender pasta is absolutely addictive
02 -
  • Overbaking causes the sauce to separate so watch closely during the last 5 minutes
  • Room temperature sour cream prevents curdling when added to the hot sauce base
03 -
  • Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for the smoothest sauce
  • Flake the tuna by hand rather than dumping it in whole chunks
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