Best Tuna Noodle Casserole

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

With a classic creamy taste that will remind you of your childhood, this tuna noodle casserole is the best budget-friendly meal to feed a crowd.

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package egg noodles
4 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
4 tablespoons salted butter, divided
5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
1 small white onion, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded white Cheddar cheese
1 cup frozen sweet peas
2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2 Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add egg noodles and 3 teaspoons salt to the boiling water; cook until tender yet firm to the bite, about 6 minutes. Drain noodles. Return to pot and set aside.
3 Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onion and cook until mushrooms are softened and onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add remaining butter; stir constantly until melted. Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in milk and stock and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
4 Add sauce mixture to reserved noodles. Stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese, peas, and tuna. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese over the top.
5 Stir together bread crumbs, remaining 2 teaspoons oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.