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tuna noodle casserole with cream cheese (no canned soup)

(67 ratings)
ILUVSPICES avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Betty Graves
@ILUVSPICES
Germantown, TN

Note: (Be sure to use good tuna). Also, make sure noodles are done before making the sauce. The sauce gets too thick if it sits while waiting for noodles to cook. Make sure the sauce is really creamy before baking, if not it will be too dry when it is baked. To make the sauce more creamy, add more milk to give it a good consistency. I like this recipe because it is made with cream cheese instead of cream of mushroom soup. Good taste. Enjoy!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This homemade tuna casserole recipe was a big hit around the Test Kitchen table! The addition of the cream cheese was just as delicious as you would imagine it to be... making this casserole extraordinarily rich and creamy; different from other tuna casseroles. This dish is very comforting and filling. The french fried onions add a nice crunch that mix well with the other layers of the dish. A quick and easy dinner that will become a family favorite.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(67 ratings)
yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For tuna noodle casserole with cream cheese (no canned soup)

  • 1 can
    mushroom pieces, 6.5 oz
  • 2 clove
    garlic, minced (1tsp)
  • 1 md
    onion, diced
  • 1 md
    green pepper, diced
  • 1, 12 oz. pkg
    large no-yolk egg noodles
  • 1/4 c
    butter
  • 1/4 c
    all purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 c
    milk
  • 1 pkg
    cream cheese, 8 oz
  • 1 can
    tuna, packed in water, 12 oz
  • 1 can
    peas, drained, 15 oz
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    pepper
  • 1 c
    grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 c
    French's Crispy Fried Onions to sprinkle on top of casserole
  • 1/4 c
    Parmesan cheese

How To Make tuna noodle casserole with cream cheese (no canned soup)

  • Mushrooms, garlic, onion and green peppers sauteeing in a pan.
    1
    Sauté mushrooms, garlic, onion and green peppers in a frying pan. Put aside.
  • Noodles cooking in a pot.
    2
    Cook the noodles in salted water; drain.
  • Cooking butter and flour in a pan.
    3
    Melt butter in a large fry pan and blend in flour. Blend together.
  • Slowly adding the milk to the flour and butter.
    4
    Add milk slowly, cooking and stirring constantly.
  • Whisking in cream cheese.
    5
    When sauce is thick and smooth, blend in cream cheese.
  • Adding the cooked noodles.
    6
    Then add cooked noodles.
  • Adding the tuna to the pot.
    7
    Add the whole can of tuna with water.
  • Pouring in the peas.
    8
    Add peas.
  • Adding the mushroom mixture.
    9
    Add peppers, onion and mushrooms combination, the salt and pepper. Mix together.
  • Casserole poured into a baking dish.
    10
    Pour into a large 9 x 12 greased baking dish.
  • Shredded cheese added to the top.
    11
    Top with sharp cheese.
  • Parmesan cheese and fried onions sprinkled on top.
    12
    Then sprinkle French onions and Parmesan cheese.
  • Casserole baking in the oven.
    13
    Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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