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This Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is the perfect weeknight family dinner. It’s pure comfort food and a great way to stretch your food budget without compromising on taste.

I just realized that school starts next week here in beautiful Utah! (Yikes! Is it just me or did June and July last like 5 minutes?) It’s time to get back to “real life”.

Part of “real life” is realizing that the family budget has been stretched to the MAX, and beyond, buying school clothes, new shoes, backpacks, supplies, and school fee’s! (Don’t even get me started on the insanity of Middle School and High School fee’s! The year I had all three in both…I thought I’d have to take out a second mortgage!) 

The last thing the budget can stand is more groceries!

That’s when I get down and dirty with meal planning! I go through the cupboards and write down everything I have on hand.

Then I make up a two-week menu trying to stretch things to the next paycheck! (By the way this still sometimes happens…even with an empty nest! Lol Don’t think you’re alone on that sinking ship…I’m right there with ya!) Enter Tuna Noodle Casserole…

How To Make Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

Start by cooking your pasta till “al dente”.  Always go “al dente” in a casserole, so the liquids you use can be absorbed. This is a casserole not soup! (Okay I just gagged thinking of a Tuna Noodle Soup!) 

Drain two cans of tuna, or one if one is all you have on hand, drain one can of sweet peas. (If you don’t like pea’s leave them out! I get it…y’all don’t like peas!) 

Place it all in a 2 quart baking dish. Add one can cream of celery soup, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of milk. Add salt and pepper to taste.

TIP: Just mix it all in the same dish you’re going to bake it in. Why wash another bowl?

Mix together until well blended. It should be nice and creamy. Don’t worry if it is a little “soupy”…remember that “al dente” pasta? You are good! No worries.

Smooth out evenly in the baking dish.

Top with 1 cup grated mild cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with buttered bread crumbs.

Place in a pre-heated 350° oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted, and dish is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

That’s it! Simple right? This is just one of those pure comfort food dishes. I can’t think of anything to make a child feel loved after a first day of school than a big heaping scoop of this Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole.

It’s so creamy, cheesy, and delicious!

I like to serve this casserole with a big tossed green salad and fresh steamed vegetables from the garden, like squash or green beans. You could even do a side of fresh fruit. Don’t forget cookies for dessert! After all it is the first day of school.

I know what you’re thinking? “Norine! This isn’t a special recipe. It’s just simple ol’ Tuna Noodle Casserole!”

I’d beg to differ…it’s a casserole packed full of all the love I could find in my heart, and cupboard, to feed to my children, so their bellies were full.

I prayed at the time they wouldn’t realize Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboards were getting a little bare. That all they would see was another filling and yummy dinner on the table. A table full of love and laughter!

It’s still one of my favorite comfort foods. Maybe it’s the memories. Maybe it’s all the creamy goodness. Maybe it’s both!

If you liked this recipe you may also enjoy these other Comfort Dish Recipes

• Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon
• Chicken and Herb Dumplings
• Instant Pot Salisbury Steak
• Easy Homemade Beef Stroganoff
• Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Creamy Gravy

Happy Nesting!

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