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–+ servings

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
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
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
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