Easy & Delightful Barefoot Contessa Tuna Casserole Recipe

Tuna casserole whispers comfort from the heart of home kitchens, blending nostalgic flavors with quick preparation magic.

Warm memories surface with each creamy, cheesy bite of this classic dish.

Simple ingredients transform into a satisfying meal that connects generations through shared culinary traditions.

Weeknight dinners demand effortless solutions, and this casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

Seafood lovers and comfort food enthusiasts unite around a single skillet of pure deliciousness.

Families crave these familiar, hearty recipes that feel like a warm embrace on a plate: prepare to fall in love with this timeless comfort classic.

Fun Twists on Contessa Tuna Casserole

• Seafood Symphony: Replace tuna with a mix of fresh salmon, shrimp, and crab meat for a luxurious ocean-inspired casserole.
• Vegetarian Haven: Swap tuna with roasted chickpeas, add extra mushrooms, and use a creamy vegetable broth instead of mushroom soup for a plant-based version.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to give the casserole a zesty Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free egg noodles, substitute panko with crushed gluten-free crackers, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free for a celiac-friendly option.

Closing Remarks on Contessa Tuna Casserole

Barefoot Contessa’s tuna casserole whisks classic comfort into contemporary kitchens with nostalgic charm.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients elevate this family-friendly classic beyond simple weeknight fare.

Layers of creamy sauce, tender noodles, and crisp panko create textural symphonies familiar yet unexpected.

Classic American culinary traditions dance through each hearty spoonful, connecting generations around dinner tables.

Warm memories emerge from this simple yet sophisticated dish that speaks directly to home cooking’s heart.

Passionate cooks and curious epicureans: savor this recipe, share its story, spark conversation, and spread delicious inspiration among friends and family.

Why Contessa Tuna Casserole Is a Throwback Favorite

• Quick and Comforting Meal: This tuna casserole delivers a nostalgic, warm-hug-like experience with its creamy texture and classic comfort food appeal, perfect for those nights when you need something satisfying and easy to prepare.
• Flavor-Packed One-Dish Wonder: Combining tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, sweet peas, and a crispy cheesy breadcrumb topping, this recipe creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that makes every bite interesting and delicious.
• Speedy Weeknight Dinner Solution: With just 33 minutes from start to finish, this casserole provides a stress-free cooking experience that's ideal for busy families, delivering a nutritious and filling meal without requiring complex cooking techniques or extensive preparation time.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: The recipe allows simple ingredient swaps or additions, making it adaptable to different tastes and dietary preferences while maintaining its core comfort food essence that appeals to both kids and adults.

Essentials for Contessa Tuna Casserole

Main Ingredients:

• Egg Noodles: Classic base for creamy casseroles, wide noodles hold sauce beautifully.
• Tuna: Lean protein that adds classic seafood flavor, wild-caught varieties recommended.

• Milk: Creates smooth, rich sauce base for casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese adds depth and melty texture to the dish.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps sauté vegetables.
• Mushroom Soup: Creamy binding ingredient that adds depth and moisture.

• Onion, Celery: Aromatic vegetables that provide foundational flavor and texture.
• Frozen Peas: Sweet, bright vegetable that adds color and nutrition.

• Panko Bread Crumbs: Crispy topping that adds crunchy texture.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings brightness and color to the dish.

Method for Contessa Tuna Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 425°F (220°C) and get ready for some serious comfort food magic.

Step 2: Create Crispy Topping

• Panko bread crumbs
• Melted butter
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh chopped parsley

Mix everything until well blended and set aside.

Step 3: Cook Perfect Noodles

Boil egg noodles according to package instructions until they’re tender but not mushy. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Sauté Flavor Builders

• Diced onion
• Diced celery

Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.

Step 5: Mix Casserole Ingredients

• Cooked egg noodles
• Sautéed onions and celery
• Thawed peas
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cans drained tuna
• Chopped parsley

Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Dish

Transfer the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 7: Add Crunchy Topping

Sprinkle the prepared bread crumb mixture over the entire casserole surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Look for a golden-brown topping and bubbling edges, indicating it’s ready to devour.

Tips for Contessa Tuna Casserole Success

• Lock in Freshness: Wrap casserole tightly with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor for up to 2 months.
• Revive Leftover Magic: Reheat slowly at 350°F, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Transform Protein Possibilities: Experiment with crab meat, shredded rotisserie chicken, or smoked salmon for exciting flavor variations.
• Enhance Crumb Topping: Mix panko with melted butter and herbs like parsley or thyme for extra crispy, aromatic golden crust.
• Elevate Flavor Depth: Caramelize onions and celery slowly in butter to unlock natural sugars and create a rich, complex taste profile.

Preserving Contessa Tuna Casserole

• Freezer Storage: Divide casserole into individual portions and seal in airtight freezer containers. Prevents freezer burn and allows easy single-serving reheating. Label each container with precise date and contents.
• Refrigerator Preservation: Store leftovers in tight-sealing glass containers to maintain optimal moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Keep refrigerated for maximum 3 days. Place in the coldest section of your refrigerator for best preservation.
• Reheating Technique: Restore creamy texture by adding small splash of milk or broth before warming. Microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, bake in 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until steaming hot throughout. Avoid repeated reheating to maintain quality and prevent bacterial growth.

Barefoot Contessa Tuna Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s classic tuna casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables across America. Perfectly seasoned egg noodles, tender tuna, and a creamy sauce create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (710 milliliters) egg noodles
• 1 can (142-170 grams) tuna, drained
• 1 can (298 grams) condensed mushroom soup
• 1 cup (240 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• ⅔ cup (100 grams) frozen peas, thawed
• 1 tablespoon (3 grams) parsley, chopped
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) milk

Topping:

• ½ cup (120 grams) panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter, melted
• ½ cup (120 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter
• 1 tablespoon (3 grams) parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a crisp 425°F (220°C), ensuring the cooking environment is perfectly prepared for the upcoming tuna casserole creation.
2. Craft a crunchy topping by blending panko bread crumbs with melted unsalted butter, sharp cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped parsley in a mixing bowl. Set this aromatic mixture aside for later use.
3. Cook egg noodles in rapidly boiling salted water until they reach a tender al dente texture, following package guidelines precisely. Quickly drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to halt the cooking process.
4. Transform chopped onions and celery into a fragrant base by gently sautéing them in butter over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables become translucent and softened.
5. Compose the casserole’s core by combining the prepared noodles with sautéed vegetables, thawed green peas, condensed cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, shredded cheddar cheese, drained chunk light tuna, and finely chopped parsley. Thoroughly mix the ingredients to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
6. Transfer the harmonious mixture into a 2-quart (64 ounces) baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
7. Generously scatter the prepared bread crumb topping across the casserole’s surface, ensuring complete coverage for maximum crunch.
8. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and bubbling edges that signal the casserole is perfectly cooked and ready to serve.

Notes

• Swap ingredients freely, as this versatile recipe adapts to your pantry’s contents.
• Leftovers transform beautifully, becoming an even more convenient meal for hectic family schedules.
• Fresh parsley sprinkled on top cuts through the casserole’s rich, creamy texture with a vibrant herbal touch.
• Panko bread crumbs create an irresistible golden-brown crunch that perfectly contrasts the soft, creamy base.
• Al dente egg noodles soak up every bit of the savory, comforting sauce, becoming the ultimate flavor carrier.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 462 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 726 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg