Mom’s Tuna Tetrazzini Casserole

This Tuna Tetrazzini Casserole combines tender noodles with canned tuna, fresh lemon, cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. Topped with a crispy layer of crushed potato chips, it’s baked to bubbling perfection, making it the ultimate comfort food.

When my kids were little and they asked what was for dinner, and I answered Tuna Casserole, they always asked “Where are you going tonight?”  It was my usual fallback for making something ahead that is easy, everyone loves, and I can put it in the oven and skedaddle out the door! 

Not to mention, I get to enjoy one of the meals I loved when I was a kid for lunch the next day. You see this is my Mom’s recipe, and I am always grateful for the leftovers.

Tuna Tetrazzini Casserole

There’s nothing quite like tuna casserole; chewy macaroni noodles tossed with meaty mushrooms, creamy soup, and Parmesan cheese. Does it bring back any memories for you? It does for me as my mom made it for me as a kid and topped the casserole with crushed potato chips. It was always one of my favorite meals. 

Tuna Tetrazzini

The perfect year-round easy meal, made with mostly pantry staples, this tuna noodle casserole is something you can whip up in no time at all or prepare it a few days ahead of time during meal prep. This traditional tuna casserole keeps for a few days and freezes well. 

If you love this tuna noodle casserole you are sure to love these too: Five Bean Ground Beef and Noodle Skillet Casserole or this Reuben Casserole. 

Tuna Casserole 

Though I do love this classic tuna casserole as is, it’s super easy to change it up based on what you’ve got on hand. Only have rotini pasta? Sure, that works. Have frozen peas? Great, throw them in. Cream of broccoli soup in the pantry? That’s fine too. There are so many different ways to make this family-friendly recipe so go ahead and make it your way. 

Ingredients for this Tuna Casserole Recipe

For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe. 

• macaroni:  I typically use elbow macaroni but any short-shaped pasta will work. 
• mushrooms: Canned mushrooms, drained, add a meaty texture to this casserole.
• cream of mushroom soup: Cream of mushroom soup gives this casserole its creamy sauce.  
• tuna: I used a can of albacore tuna drained and broken apart into small pieces with a fork but any type of canned tuna is good. 
• lemon juice:  Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a nice tart flavor but if you don’t have any lemons on hand you can use bottled lemon juice.
• Parmesan cheese: What’s a tuna casserole without cheese? I used freshly grated parmesan. 
• potato chips: To add some crunch and fun sprinkle the top with crushed potato chips. I used plain but any flavor will work. 
• salt and pepper: Add salt and black pepper to taste. 

Be sure to keep reading to find tips and tricks, substitutions, and answers to questions about this recipe for tuna casserole. 

How to make Tuna Casserole

This classic recipe for tuna noodles comes together quickly and easily. 

Heat oven to 350 degrees, and prepare your casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Cook pasta al dente, in a large pot of salted water and drain.

Combine cooked pasta with all of the ingredients, except chips.

Pour the pasta mixture into the baking dish and top with potato chips.

Bake for 30 minutes uncovered.

Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw this tuna tetrazzini recipe in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the microwave or oven. If the casserole is a touch dry, pour milk or heavy cream over it before reheating. 

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this noodles and tuna casserole make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

Substitutions

Make it your own! I love it with sliced black olives, but not everyone in my family likes olives. But, they all love it with peas.  My Mom used to put canned peas in hers sometimes. (Gak!!) The frozen ones aren’t as bad, but the canned ones?  No, thank you.  But hey, you do what you want to your casserole!  

Not a fan of creamed canned soups?  I know some people are weird about them.  You can always make your Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup! 

My Mother-In-Law puts cubed-up pieces of cheese in hers.  You can always add cheese to the inside or melt some on the top in place of the potato chips.

FAQs about this Tuna Casserole Bake

• What is tetrazzini made of? Tetrazzini is a baked pasta recipe prepared with a creamy sauce. 
• Why is Tetrazzini called that? The thinking is that an American chef named this rich pasta dish after an Italian opera singer, Luisa Tetrazzini. There is some debate as to who this chef is. 
• What is tuna casserole made of? Tuna casserole is typically made with canned tuna, pasta, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese.  
• Why is my tuna casserole so dry? If your tuna casserole is dry it could be because you baked it too long or there wasn’t enough moisture. If this happens you can add more soup or pour in some milk or cream. 
• How long is tuna casserole safe to eat? Tuna casserole can be safe to eat for up to 4 days. 
• Can you freeze leftover tuna casserole? Yes, you can freeze leftover tuna casserole. 
• Where was tuna casserole invented? It looks like tuna casserole may have come from the Pacific Northwest in the 1930s. 

Tips & Tricks

• Sprinkle the casserole with chopped green onions to add some color and flavor. 
• Coat the cooked pasta in olive oil or butter so they don’t stick together.  
• Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce. 

More Recipes to Love Next Time

If you are looking for more tuna recipes you may like this Avocado Tuna Salad or this Tuna Spaghetti(pictured above.) If you love a quick and easy casserole you will also love this Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole, this Chicken and Rice Cordon Bleu Casserole, or this Teriyaki Chicken Casserole.  

This creamy cheesy easy tuna tetrazzini comfort food casserole is one homemade nostalgic dish that never fails to please. Ready to make one of my childhood favorites?  Let’s do it!

This recipe was originally posted on February 27, 2019. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on August 19, 2024.