Description
This extra cheesy tuna noodle casserole is a comforting and delicious meal, perfect for a family dinner. It features layers of creamy sauce, tender noodles, and flaky tuna, all topped with a generous amount of melted cheese for a truly indulgent experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 ounce) package egg noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the noodles cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a separate large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in garlic powder and dried dill. Remove from heat.
- Add the drained tuna, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the Monterey Jack cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Gently fold in the cooked egg noodles and the sautéed onion and celery mixture until everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. If using, sprinkle panko breadcrumbs evenly over the cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown and melted.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For an even cheesier casserole, you can add a layer of sliced Swiss cheese under the shredded cheese topping.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of some of the milk.
- Feel free to add frozen peas or corn to the casserole for extra vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 550 kcal
- Sugar: Approximately 5g
- Sodium: Approximately 700mg
- Fat: Approximately 30g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 15g
- Trans Fat: Approximately 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 45g
- Fiber: Approximately 3g
- Protein: Approximately 25g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 90mg