Need a shelf-stable dinner mix that actually tastes like dinner? This Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug keeps the dry ingredients ready to go, then turns into a warm, creamy single-serving casserole with one can of tuna, a little water, oil, and cheese.
It is practical, portion-friendly, and a smart way to keep a fast pantry meal on hand without dragging out a full casserole dish. If you already love classic Tuna Noodle Casserole, this mug version gives you the same cozy idea in a much smaller package.
Ingredients for Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug
Everything in the dry packet pulls its weight. The noodles make it filling, the white sauce mix and gravy add body, and the dried vegetables and seasonings give the whole thing that familiar casserole flavor without needing a refrigerator until bake time.
- 1/3 cup small egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons Knorr classic white sauce mix
- 1 teaspoon celery flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried onion
- Pinch of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 tablespoon chicken gravy mix
- 1 small can tuna
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheese
If you like building pantry meals this way, Chicken and Rice Casserole in a Mug Mix and Sausage and Rice Casserole Mix in a Mug are worth adding to your stash too.
How to Assemble the Mug Mix
Combine the egg noodles, white sauce mix, celery flakes, dried onion, garlic powder, parsley flakes, and chicken gravy mix in a small bowl. Stir well, then pour the mixture into a sandwich-size zip-top bag and seal it tightly.
Set the sealed bag into a large mug with the tuna can so everything stays together as a ready-to-make gift or pantry meal. Use a mug that holds at least 1 1/2 cups, or you will be courting a starchy boil-over, and nobody needs that kind of excitement.
How to Make Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a mug that holds at least 1 1/2 cups.
- Pour the dry casserole mix from the bag into the mug.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and olive oil and bring just to a simmer.
- Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients in the mug and stir until well incorporated.
- Cover the mug with a piece of aluminum foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the mug from the oven and stir in the drained tuna and shredded cheese.
- Return the mug to the oven and bake 6 to 8 minutes more, until the noodles are tender and the casserole is hot throughout.
Heating the water and oil first gives the dried noodles a head start and helps the sauce ingredients hydrate more evenly. For leftover safety after baking, refrigerate any extras promptly and use them within 3 to 4 days, which matches USDA guidance for cooked leftovers.
Tips for Best Results
- Use a roomy mug. A 1 1/2-cup capacity is the minimum. Slightly larger is even better if your mug flares inward near the top.
- Drain the tuna well. Extra liquid can thin the sauce and make the casserole watery.
- Stir before the final bake. That distributes the tuna and cheese evenly so you do not get one dry bite followed by one molten bite.
- Keep the foil snug. It traps moisture so the noodles soften instead of drying out on top.
- Simmer, do not boil hard. You want the liquid hot, not aggressively reduced.
Easy Variations
You can change the cheese without changing the method. Mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a simple shredded blend all work well here.
If you want a little more color and flavor, stir in a spoonful of drained peas or a pinch of extra parsley after the first bake. Just keep the add-ins modest so the mug still has enough room and the noodles finish cooking properly.
For a slightly richer finish, add the cheese in two layers by stirring in half, then sprinkling the rest on top before the final 6 to 8 minutes in the oven.
Storage and Shelf Life
Dry mix shelf life: Store the sealed dry mix in an airtight bag or jar in a cool, dry cupboard for up to 6 months for best quality. That is a conservative estimate based on the shorter pantry life of egg noodles and the gradual flavor loss you get from dried herbs and seasonings over time.
Prepared casserole shelf life: Once baked, cover and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Use within 3 to 4 days. For the best texture, reheat covered in the microwave or a low oven with a teaspoon or two of water if it seems thick.
Freezing: The baked casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the sauce may be a little softer after thawing. The dry mix itself stores better in the pantry than in the freezer.
Serving Suggestions
This mug casserole is a full light meal on its own, but it plays well with simple sides. Serve it with buttered peas, green beans, a small side salad, or even a few crackers if you want more crunch.
It also works as a quick hot lunch when you need something sturdier than soup but do not want to commit to a full-size casserole. Cozy, practical, and blessedly low on dishes.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Small egg noodles |
$1.68 |
1/3 C. |
$0.09 |
|
Knorr classic white sauce mix |
$0.16 |
2 T. |
$0.08 |
|
Celery flakes |
$1.68 |
1 t. ≈ 1 count ≈ 0.5 cup(s) |
$0.01 |
|
Dried onion |
$2.98 |
1/4 t. |
$0.01 |
|
Garlic powder |
$1.24 |
Pinch |
$0.01 |
|
Parsley flakes |
$1.24 |
1 t. |
$0.04 |
|
Chicken gravy mix |
$1.18 |
1 T. ≈ 1 packet ≈ 1/3 cup mix |
$0.22 |
|
Small can tuna |
$0.82 |
1 |
$0.82 |
|
Water |
– |
3/4 C. |
$0.01 |
|
Olive oil |
$5.94 |
1 T. |
$0.17 |
|
Shredded cheese |
$1.97 |
2 T. |
$0.12 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$1.58 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$1.58 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
- Egg Noodles, 12 oz
- White Sauce Mix, 70 g
- Celery Flakes, 0.5 oz
- Dried Minced Onion, 5 lb
- Garlic Powder, 3.4 oz
- Parsley Flakes, 0.4 oz
- Chicken Gravy Mix, 0.87 oz Packet
- Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 oz
- Olive Oil, 17 fl oz
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug
You can, as long as it holds at least 1 1/2 cups. Give yourself a little headroom so the hot liquid and swelling noodles do not bubble over, and cover it tightly with foil just as you would with the mug.
A small can of chunk light tuna in water is the easiest fit because it stays flaky and does not add extra oil to the sauce. If all you have is tuna packed in oil, drain it very well or the finished casserole can turn greasy instead of creamy.
Absolutely. Cheddar gives you the classic casserole flavor, but Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a mild shredded blend will melt just fine in the same 2 tablespoon amount. Stronger cheeses can take over quickly in a single serving, so keep the measurement modest.
Because the dry sauce mix and noodles hydrate more evenly when the liquid goes in hot. If you pour in cold liquid, the noodles take longer to soften and the sauce can stay patchy or pasty in spots, which is not a charming surprise.
Cover the mug tightly with foil and make sure you stir the dry mix well before baking so the sauce powders are not clumped in one area. Small egg noodles cook faster than larger shapes, which is exactly why they belong here.
Yes, but do not cram a double batch into one mug. Use two mugs or move it to a larger covered baking dish, because doubling the volume in the same vessel will slow the noodle cooking and invite boil-overs.
Keep the sides simple. A small green salad, steamed peas, green beans, or a few buttery crackers all work because they add crunch or color without competing with the creamy casserole.
That is the whole beauty of it. Pack the dry ingredients airtight and keep the tuna separate until you are ready to bake, since the sealed dry mix keeps far better in the cupboard than a fully assembled casserole ever will.
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water before reheating, then cover loosely and warm just until hot. That little splash helps loosen the sauce, since noodles keep absorbing moisture in the refrigerator like they are being paid for it.
You can, but keep them minimal so the noodles still have enough liquid and room to cook. A spoonful of drained peas after the first bake works better than a big handful added at the start, which can water down the sauce and crowd the mug.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug
Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup small egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons Knorr classic white sauce mix
- 1 teaspoon celery flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried onion
- Pinch garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 tablespoon chicken gravy mix
- 1 small can tuna
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheese
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine the egg noodles, white sauce mix, celery flakes, dried onion, garlic powder, parsley flakes, and chicken gravy mix.
- Mix well and place the dry mixture in a sandwich-size zip-top bag and seal.
- Lightly grease a mug that holds at least 1 1/2 cups.
- Place the dry mix from the bag into the mug.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and olive oil and bring to a simmer.
- Pour the hot liquid over the ingredients in the mug and stir until well incorporated.
- Cover the mug with a piece of aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, stir in the drained tuna and shredded cheese, and return to the oven for 6 to 8 minutes more.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Use a mug with at least 1 1/2 cups capacity to prevent overflow.
Store the dry mix airtight in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months for best quality.
Refrigerate baked leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.
