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    Home » Dinners » Tuna Noodle Casserole With Buttered Cracker Topping

    Published: Jul 14, 2020 · Modified: Mar 29, 2023 by Nancy Blackstone · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Tuna Noodle Casserole With Buttered Cracker Topping

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Creamy, crunchy, hot and delicious -- the old fashioned flavor will make you want to add this tuna noodle casserole to your regular dinner rotation.

    I grew up eating fish on Fridays. I was raised in a Catholic family, and that was part of our weekly ritual. Even after Vatican II in 1985 when abstaining from meat was no longer absolutely required, my parents still ate fish on Fridays.

    Large casserole dish with tuna noodle casserole

    Why Catholics Ate Fish On Fridays

    Catholics were never required to eat fish on Fridays, but rather were asked to abstain from meat from warm blooded animals. Meat was considered an indulgence for those with wealth. Abstaining from it once a week was a form of penance intended to remind one of the sacrifices made by Christ, and the poverty he lived in during his time on earth. Though the Vatican II modification brought with it the option to choose to perform penance in other ways, many Catholics continue to observe meatless Fridays. The McDonalds Filet-o-Fish sandwich resulted from Catholics observing meatless Fridays. It was developed by a franchisee who noticed that hamburger sales dropped dramatically on Fridays.

    My mom wasn't fond of fish, so she would disguise it in various casseroles or breading. I'm not wild about fish myself, but this tuna noodle casserole is a favorite in our house, as is its sister recipe, salmon casserole. The list of ingredients is long, but it comes together quickly.

    What you'll need:

    • Noodles
    • Butter
    • Celery
    • Onion
    • Peas
    • Garlic
    • Flour
    • Chicken broth
    • Milk
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Lemon juice
    • parsley
    • parmesan cheese
    • tuna
    • crackers

    Tuna Noodle Casserole with Buttered Cracker Topping

    Nancy Blackstone
    Adults and kids both love this throwback tuna casserole with crushed crackers on top. 
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 Servings
    Calories 410 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 oz. curly egg noodles
    • 5 tablespoons butter divided
    • 2 ribs celery diced
    • ⅓ cup diced yellow onion
    • ½ cup frozen peas
    • 1 clove minced garlic
    • 4 tablespoons flour
    • 14.5 ounces chicken broth
    • 1 cup milk
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 5 ounces tuna packed in water drained
    • ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers in butter OR half cup crushed potato chips

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Cook the noodles to al dente according to packages directions.
    • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a frying pan. Add garlic; cook on low one minute. Add chopped celery, diced onion and frozen peas; saute until softened, roughly 7-8 minutes. Empty mixture into a small bowl and set aside.
    • Melt another 2 tablespoons of butter in the same frying pan and whisk in flour until fully blended. Add the chicken broth and milk; bring to simmer stirring constantly about 3 minutes until thickened.  Reduce heat to low and add salt, pepper, lemon juice, parsley and ½ cup of the parmesan cheese.
    • Remove from heat and fold in the noodles, vegetables and tuna. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13" baking dish. Cover with the remaining ½ cup of parmesan cheese. Crush crackers in a bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle casserole with buttered crackers and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

    Notes

    Some people grew up eating mushrooms in their tuna noodle casserole, so feel free to add ½ cup of sliced mushrooms when you sauté the celery, onion and peas.
    You can substitute medium pasta shells in place of the curly noodles egg noodles for a fun twist.
    Another throwback is to use potato chips on top rather than crackers. If you prefer, skip the crushed crackers and butter and replace with crushed potato chips instead.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 729mgPotassium: 369mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 806IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 277mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword 1950's casseroles, 1960's casseroles, catholic dinner, dinners for Lent, Friday Fish dinner, tuna casserole, tuna noodle
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

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