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Tuna noodle casserole is a 30-minute entree the whole family loves. Simple veggies are simmered with tuna, pasta noodles, broth, and milk to make a delicious and creamy sauce. No canned soup needed.
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Tuna Noodle Casserole
This tuna noodle entree been a go-to dinner in our house for many years. It’s quick, easy, and is a lighter version of a tuna casserole, made with a healthy dose of vegetables and a small amount of dairy. Once you make it a time or two, you’ll probably feel the same way. It’s so easy, but it tastes like something you worked hard for!
Ingredient notes
Ingredient amounts are included in the printable recipe below.
- olive oil - or preferred oil
- carrots - You can use shredded or diced, fresh or frozen.
- green onions - any onions will work for this recipe
- mushrooms - Using fresh mushrooms in this recipe means no canned soup is needed.
- peas - An essential ingredient in tuna casserole.
- canned tuna - You can substitute canned salmon for tuna in this recipe.
- dry spaghetti noodles- Or preferred pasta noodles. Tuna spaghetti casserole is a great way to use spaghetti noodles.
- milk - Any dairy liquid, or even non-dairy milk, will work for this recipe.
- Panko bread crumbs - These are optional but recommended for lovers of crispy toppings on tuna casserole.
Recipe notes
Vegetables
I like to load up vegetables, when possible. For this recipe, I love the flavors and textures of carrots, green onions, button mushrooms, and sweet peas.
Pasta
I prefer to use a classic spaghetti noodle for this recipe. You can use whole wheat pasta because it has added fiber and nutrients. If you use whole wheat pasta, initially hold back 1 cup of the liquid (broth or water) to avoid potential 'soupy' results (b/c there is less gluten to thicken the sauce). You can always add liquid back in small amounts if you feel the dish needs more liquid during the cook cycle.
Sauce
We're keeping it light with this sauce by using a 1% milk and chicken broth as opposed to the classic canned cream of mushroom soup sauce. Also, this one-pot method causes the noodles to add starch to the sauce as they cook, creating a natural thickener for the cream sauce.
Tuna
Then, of course, there's the tuna, which I like to use a water-packed tuna instead of oil-packed. However, either will work great for this recipe.
How to make this recipe
Full instructions are in the printable recipe below.
- Sauté the mushrooms, carrots, and green onions in olive oil in a large skillet.
- Add pasta, peas, tuna, milk, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer everything until pasta is cooked through.
- Top the tuna casserole with Panko breadcrumbs and broil until golden brown.
- Devour!
More dinner recipes
📖 Recipe
Skillet Tuna Casserole
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup Mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup Carrots, shredded
- 2 Green Onions, sliced (stalk and tops separated)
- 8 ounces Uncooked Spaghetti Noodles
- 1 (7 ounce can) Tuna, drained
- 1 cup Peas, thawed
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 cups 1% Milk, or any milk
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Sauté veggies: Heat OLIVE OIL in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add MUSHROOMS, CARROTS, and GREEN ONION (white part); sauté until tender, stirring as needed (about 4 min).
- Add other ingredients: Add NOODLES, PEAS, TUNA, CHICKEN BROTH, MILK, SALT, and PEPPER. Push ingredients down to make sure pasta noodles are submerged. *see recipe footnote about adding liquid
- Simmer to cook the noodles: Adjust heat to HIGH and bring everything just to a boil. Then, cover and adjust heat to MED-LOW and simmer until pasta is cooked through, stirring as needed.Then, fold in PARMESAN CHEESE to the cooked casserole to thicken and flavor the cream sauce.
- (optional) Crispy panko topping: Turn on oven broiler and adjust the top oven rack. Toss PANKO BREAD CRUMBS in OLIVE OIL and sprinkle over the cooked casserole surface along with GREEN ONION (tops). Place casserole under broiler flame until the Panko is a light golden brown and crispy (oven time may vary).
- To serve: Allow tuna casserole to rest a few minutes. Serve warm.To store: Allowed to cool completely and refrigerate in airtight containers up to 5 days.
Equipment
- large skillet
Girlfriend says
Say goodbye to boring tuna casserole with this awesome recipe! It is quick, easy, nutritious and delicious. I love that the noodles cook right in the casserole and you don't have to boil them separately. I will be making this over and over....thanks Traci for a great weeknight dinner!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awww thank you, Girlfriend! I'm so glad you're enjoying the easier tuna casserole method. Thanks for the great feedback
RitaSteinbrunner says
Delicious Traci. I definitely will be making it again. So much better than the old Campbell Mushroom soup recipe.
The Kitchen Girl says
Aww Rita, I'm sooo glad to hear you're enjoying this recipe! Thank you kindly for letting me know
Rahul | Samosa Street Blog says
Absolutely delicious Traci. Love that the recipe is so easy to follow. Perfect for Friday night dinner.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Rahul! So glad you're enjoying this recipe 🙂
Peggy says
Liked the lighter version and no processed food!!!! Will make this again next time I will add more mushrooms, little kale. I may have over counted pasta so I would use a bit less to have more sauce. It was great!!! Thank you
Peggy
The Kitchen Girl says
So glad to hear it, Peggy! More mushrooms and kale are always welcome in tuna casserole Yes, the pasta ratio you see in these photos is the amount in the recipe (8oz), but you can always use less. Thanks for the taking the time to leave your review.
Sue says
I love tuna casserole but have always wanted a lighter version. I can't wait to try this one!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, thanks Sue! You'll love the fact that this tuna casserole doesn't use cream of mushroom soup
Maike says
I always look for recipes where we can 'shop the fridge'. This one fit the bill, we had everything in the fridge and pantry. I wouldn't have thought that mushrooms and tuna work so well together, but it's delicious. This recipe will definitely go on our menu rotation.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Maike...so glad to hear it! Yes, mushrooms in tuna casserole are a must for me LOL. They add so much flavor and texture So glad you can enjoy this one!
Taylor Kiser says
Love an easy dinner like this! It's sure to be on repeat!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks Taylor! Glad you're a fan of the tuna casserole too! 🙂
Jamie says
I love how this can be made in the skillet and it's ready in only 30 minutes! That panko on top looks amazing!
The Kitchen Girl says
Hehe thanks, Jamie! It's my favorite part of this tuna casserole for surrre
Jeannette says
I LOVE how simple and homey this recipe is! It's perfect for those days when I just want something delicious and filled with amazing texture. The panko crumbs make this even more fun to eat!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Jeannette! Love hearing that...I'm all over those Panko too! They make tuna casserole more interesting to eat
Josi says
I love the way you've lightened up this recipe! I also love the addition of mushroom slices!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Josi! The mushrooms slices are everything in Tuna Pasta 🙂
Tisha says
This lighter version of a great classic is perfect when you are trying to watch your caloric intake!
Traci Antonovich says
Indeed, Tisha! We love that about this dish 🙂
Suzy says
I really love the idea of making this a lighter version! I would not feel bad about eating this at all!
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome, Suzy...I love hearing that! 🙂
Jamie says
I love how this is a light cream sauce! So often I find cream sauces too heavy but this is just right!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay, Jamie! So glad you can enjoy that about it 🙂
Veena Azmanov says
Tuna added to any dish makes it always special and this pasta looks amazing.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Veena! Love hearing that 🙂
Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says
I've never been a fan of heavy tuna casseroles, but this beautiful light tunas pasta I can definitely get behind! So much lighter and yummier!
Traci Antonovich says
Yes, this tuna pasta is perfect for you! Hope you love it 🙂
Heidy L. McCallum says
I love tuna casserole but ours needs to be lightened up a tad. I can't wait to try yours out with the family this weekend.
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome, Heidy! Hope you love it like we do 🙂
Cindy Gordon says
I love this lighter version of tuna casserole! This is perfect for a busy weeknight!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Cindy! Yep, tuna pasta was MADE for busy weeknights 🙂
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Tuna casserole is always a favorite of mine, but your tips for lightening it up make it so much healthier and less of a guilty pleasure. Thank you!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Lisa! Yes, this way we can eat MORE! 😛 xoxo
Heather Johnson says
i'm in for any recipe with mushrooms!!! especially with pasta - yum! sounds so tasty!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks, Heather! The mushrooms make this tuna pasta even better 🙂
Amy Nash says
I really love tuna casserole as well but needed a lightened up version! I'm so glad I found yours!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay! So glad to hear it, Amy. Hope you get a chance to make it...and hope you love! 🙂
Sara says
This is such a great tasty light version of a classic. I love the pasta water trick, have been using it for a while now, and it is brilliant!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Sarah! Yeah, the pasta water makes the best sauces! So simple too 🙂
Elizabeth says
This looks way better than the tuna casserole of my childhood, haha!
Traci Antonovich says
Awww thanks Elizabeth! Yeah, I was compelled to rebel against that exact thing for this recipe LOL. It worked! 🙂
Diana says
Nothing beats a good casserole, and I love your version as it doesn't sound like it's high in calories or too fatty like the usual casseroles that we have.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Diana...it still has my greatest weakness...pasta LOL. But def not as many calories as the creamy, cheesy kind, which makes it more diet friendly for me. 🙂
Tina Dawson says
This goes into my meal planning for next week!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay so glad to hear it, Tina! Hope you love it like I do! I have literally made this countless times...always disappears 🙂
Gina says
I think I will prefer this version better I think of tuna as a very light healthy dish and sometimes traditional tuna casseroles turns me off because it is so much Dairy I can't wait to try this!
Traci Antonovich says
Yes! So glad to hear it, Gina. It's really delicious...even without all the cheese 🙂 Thanks so much!