🥘 Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (Budget-Friendly Classic!)
Looking for a quick, comforting dinner that won’t break the bank?
This easy tuna noodle casserole recipe is a timeless family favorite, made with simple pantry staples like egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, canned tuna, and frozen vegetables. It’s creamy, hearty, and ready in just about 45 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights!
Whether you grew up with it or you’re trying it for the first time, this tuna noodle casserole hits all the right notes: budget-friendly, easy to customize, and absolutely delicious.
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🏆 Why You’ll Love This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This dish is pure comfort food on a budget! It’s easy to prep, uses pantry ingredients you probably already have, and feeds a crowd for under $8 total.
Perfect for meal prepping, freezing for later, or feeding a hungry family without stress.
If you’ve been searching for a cheap dinner idea that’s still hearty and satisfying, this tuna noodle casserole absolutely delivers.
🛒 Ingredients for Tuna Noodle Casserole
You’ll need just a few everyday ingredients to whip up this easy casserole:
- Egg noodles – Wide or medium noodles work best.
- Cream of mushroom soup – For a rich, creamy sauce.
- Milk – Helps thin the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Canned tuna – Solid white albacore or light tuna both work.
- Frozen peas and carrots – Adds sweetness and texture.
- Broccoli florets (optional) – Adds a little green goodness.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Optional toppings – Shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, butter.
🍽️ Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles (about 3/4 of a 16 oz bag)
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 (5 oz) cans tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas & carrots
- 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional topping)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional topping)
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, to mix with breadcrumbs)
🍴 How to Make Tuna Noodle Casserole
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Boil the egg noodles until just tender, drain, and set aside.
- Mix cream of mushroom soup and milk in a large bowl until smooth.
- Stir in tuna, frozen peas & carrots, broccoli (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Fold in the cooked noodles carefully.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with shredded cheese and buttered breadcrumbs, if desired.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Here’s exactly how much this classic dish costs to make:
Ingredient |
Amount Used |
Package Size |
Full Package Cost |
Used Cost |
Egg Noodles |
12 oz |
16 oz bag |
$1.78 |
$1.34 |
Cream of Mushroom Soup |
2 cans (10.5 oz each) |
10.5 oz per can |
$0.76 per can |
$1.52 |
Milk |
1/2 cup |
1 gallon (128 oz) |
$3.12 |
$0.12 |
Tuna |
2 cans (5 oz each) |
5 oz per can |
$0.98 per can |
$1.96 |
Frozen Peas & Carrots |
1 1/2 cups (~8 oz) |
12 oz bag |
$1.28 |
$0.85 |
Broccoli (optional) |
1 cup (~5 oz) |
12 oz bag |
$1.28 |
$0.53 |
Garlic Powder |
1/2 tsp |
3.4 oz container |
$1.12 |
$0.03 |
Onion Powder |
1/2 tsp |
3 oz container |
$1.00 |
$0.03 |
Salt & Pepper |
Pinch each |
Pantry staples |
— |
— |
Cheddar Cheese (optional) |
1/2 cup (2 oz) |
8 oz bag |
$2.22 |
$0.56 |
Breadcrumbs (optional) |
1/2 cup (2 oz) |
15 oz container |
$1.48 |
$0.20 |
Butter (optional) |
2 tbsp (1 oz) |
16 oz |
$3.98 |
$0.25 |
🧾 Total Used Cost
- With toppings: $7.39
- Without toppings: $5.85
🍽️ Cost Per Serving
- With toppings: $1.23 per serving
- Without toppings: $0.98 per serving
🛒 Grab & Go: Your Complete 🐟 Tuna Noodle Casserole Grocery Checklist ✅
📋 Tips for the Best Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Undercook the noodles slightly, since they will finish cooking in the oven.
- Drain tuna well to avoid a watery casserole.
- Customize it! Swap in corn, green beans, or spinach if you like different veggies.
- Add extra cheese for an even richer casserole.
- Make it crunchy with a buttery breadcrumb topping or crushed crackers!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze tuna noodle casserole?
Yes! Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Alternatively, vacuum seal the dish and freeze for up to 18 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F, adding about 20–25 extra minutes.
What type of tuna is best?
Solid white albacore gives a firmer texture, while light tuna is a bit softer. Both work—it’s just preference!
Can I substitute cream of mushroom soup?
Absolutely. Cream of celery, cream of chicken, or even a homemade white sauce work great.
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Whether you’re looking for cheap family meals, easy casserole recipes, or budget-friendly dinner ideas, this recipe deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Equipment
- Large pot
- Spatula or spoon
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles (about 3/4 of a 16 oz bag)
- 21 oz cream of mushroom soup ((two 10.5 oz cans))
- ½ cup milk
- 10 oz tuna, drained and flaked ((two 5 oz cans))
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas & carrots
- 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional topping)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional topping)
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, to mix with breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the egg noodles in salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain.12 oz egg noodles
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth.21 oz cream of mushroom soup1/2 cup milk
- Stir in the tuna, frozen peas & carrots, and broccoli (if using), plus garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.10 oz tuna, drained and flaked1 1/2 cups frozen peas & carrots1 cup broccoli florets1/2 tsp garlic powder1/2 tsp onion powderSalt and pepper to taste
- Fold in the cooked noodles.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- (Optional) Top with shredded cheese, and breadcrumb-butter mixture if desired.1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded1/2 cup breadcrumbs2 tbsp butter
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Equipment
If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.
Subbed cream of celery soup because that’s what I had, and added hard-boiled eggs like my mom used to do. Came out perfect!
Loved how fast this came together. I used egg noodles and French fried onions on top instead of breadcrumbs and it added the perfect crunch.
I’m a busy mom of 3, and I gotta say, This Tuna Noodle Casserole was a lifesaver on a hectic weeknight. I had all the ingredients on hand, and it came together quickly. The kids loved it, especially with the cheesy breadcrumb topping. Definitely adding this to our regular meal rotation!