This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is based off of my Tuna Noodle Casserole. This Easy version uses cupboard ingredients, and it’s a No-Bake recipe! Win win!
And, of course, it’s super delicious! (You know it has to be if it’s husband-approved!!)
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Husband Approved
This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe came about because I wasn’t feeling well one day, and my husband was going to cook for us. He wanted tuna noodle casserole, but we didn’t have all the ingredients for my recipe.
He looked at Pinterest for another recipe, but most of the recipes he came across had a can of cream of something soup. Not only do we not have any in the house, it just doesn’t taste that good to us anymore.
So, this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole was created.
We used the jalapeno Island Trollers Albacore Tuna, which has a light heat to it, definitely not overpowering at all. Any of the Island Trollers albacore Tuna would be great in this; I would especially recommend the garlic or the plain.
Want to read about how I got started loving Island Trollers? Take a look here, at my Tuna Chowder recipe (where I talk about starting to work with Island Trollers).
Island Trollers Tuna
And a reminder for those of you who love Island Trollers (like me), if you’re making this recipe with Island Trollers Albacore Tuna, you don’t want to drain off those tasty juices from the can; they’re the juices from the fish itself, not just plain ol’ water or oil. Those juices are loaded with Omega 3s. So, it might feel a little weird not to drain the tuna, but don’t do it.
I’ve gathered all my Island Trollers Recipes in one easy place on Pinterest for you!
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Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole (no bake) Recipe
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- ½ cup frozen green peas
- 1 can 7.5 ounce Island Trollers Albacore Tuna, undrained
- ¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon ground celery seeds
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- ½ cup pepperjack cheese
Instructions
- Cook egg noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, stirring occasionally, according to package directions. While noodles cook, place frozen green peas in the bottom of the strainer.
- Drain noodles, pouring the hot water right over the green peas, and reserving ¾ cup pasta cooking liquid. Transfer noodles and peas to large bowl. Add the tuna and all the juices from the can of tuna to the pasta, breaking up the tuna into small pieces. Set aside.
- In the same pot that you cooked the noodles in, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, slowly add the flour, a little at a time, stirring constantly to keep smooth. Reduce the heat to low.
- Slowly pour in the milk, stirring as you add. Simmer over low heat to thicken, about 5-10 minutes. Stir often.
- Stir in the spices (thyme through pepper), to the sauce mixture, and remove from heat. Stir in the cheese until the cheese is melted. Stir sauce mixture into pasta and tuna mixture. If mixture is too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta cooking water, about 1-2 tablespoons at a time until desired consistency is reached. Taste for salt and pepper.
- Devour!
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Life Currents
laughingspatula says
Looks delicious and so much healthier than a can of cream of Ka Ka :)!
Tania @ COOKTORIA says
This is an awesome and quick dinner! I am sure my family will love it! Thanks for sharing!
watchlearneat says
Beautiful pics! This looks delicious! Great recipe! 🙂
Janette (@culinaryginger) says
Lovely comfort food and I love your use of pepper jack cheese. This is a must try
Plating Pixels says
I’m a fan of tuna but honestly never made a casserole with it. This looks like a good place to start!
foodhuntress2015 says
Great idea to not use the canned soup. You are saving yourself from a lot of salt . Looks great!
rosemary palmer says
I have never made a tuna casserole because I’m not a huge fan unless it’s grilled. But, I have a friend I send food to a lot so maybe this is something new to try. Thanks.
1shamrocks says
Such an iconic dish, your version looks wonderful!
Nicole Neverman says
I love this quick and easy tuna noodle casserole! It sounds so yummy and I love that it’s made with ingredients most of us are likely to have on hand 🙂 Perfect dinner for those nights when you want something easy but still totally delicious!
foodhuntersguide says
I love how easy it comes together
Manila Spoon says
This is comfort food for me! Yum!
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
You have made a tuna noodle casserole look decadent!
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
That jalapeno tuna sounds awesome. This would be a great casserole combo with so many grains. Tasty inspiration for sure. Great idea using a small amount of some “kick ass” cheese, too!
Homemade Food Junkie says
I haven’t heard of Island Trollers brand albacore Tuna! Now I will have to find it. I’m very curious about it. This casserole is similar to what I do too. The guys all love a good noodly tuna casserole. Love the sauce! Just say no to the cans!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I love how this captures all the classic, comforting flavors of Tuna Noodle Casserole … but in a super-easy, much quicker form! And great tip about not draining the tuna! Stinks that you had to be sick for your hubby to have the opportunity to concoct this … but a great little culinary victory to celebrate now that you’re better (and a stroke of luck for the rest of us, too)! 😀
Joanne/WineladyCooks says
This is a lovely recipe, easy and lots of flavor with just pantry ingredients.
mealplanmaven says
Gosh, I haven’t had tuna noodle casserole since I was a kid. Your recipe brings back such wonderful memories…thank you Debi! I know I will be trying it very soon. 🙂
Divya @ Divya's Culinary Journey says
This looks so delicious and very comforting! Perfect for weeknight dinner!
Culinary Flavors says
The best way to feed your family on a busy weeknight!
Heidy L. McCallum says
When I was in my 20s I survived off of Tuna Casserole, however, it wasn’t this scrumptious looking. My husband loves Tuna Casserole and like you we don’t use canned soup…too much salt and odd fillers for me…I can’t wait to try yours one night.
Angela says
This sounds fantastic!!! Great weeknight meal!
The Foodie Affair says
I haven’t made a tuna casserole is such a long time. Seems like forever, but I’m all for this recipe that is can soup-free! Can wait to try your recipe!
Michaela - An Affair from the Heart says
I love tuna casserole, and yours looks amazing!
auntbeesrecipes says
Tuna noodle casserole is the ultimate comfort food!
dishofdailylife says
Looks like a perfect weeknight dinner to me! My hubby’s been doing a ton of cooking here…I’m having a hard time recovering from the flu. Thank goodness he actually likes to cook too. I need to check out this tuna…I know you rave about it!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
This looks beyond delicious! I love that it doesn’t contain any cream soups, too. I need to check out that tuna! Jalapeño sounds wonderful, I always like a little bit of a kick. 🙂
delphineefortin says
The perfect comfort dish. Love it!
justine @ Full Belly Sisters says
Such a “comfort classic” but without all the processed junk. Love it!
sara says
Tuna Noodle Casserole is one of my favorite comfort foods! Your recipe sounds terrific!
Michaela Kenkel says
Tuna casserole if one of our favorites!! Yours looks really good!
Edward C Zabel says
Made it for Dinner. Subed Milk For Cream of Mushroom Soup (Homemade), added some sauteed Mushrooms. Baked it with a Cheddar and Panko Topping. It was great.
Rita says
What a treat! We were looking for a new recipe to liven up an old favorite, and your recipe did just that! Delish! We made it for dinner last night. We were a little curious about using the pepper jack cheese, but it really was a great addition. We’re keeping this one!