Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe
This classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is a comforting and creamy baked dish perfect for a family dinner. It combines tender egg noodles with a savory blend of cream of chicken and celery soups, tangy sour cream, flaky tuna, and sweet peas, all topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust that bakes to a golden crisp. Ready in just 40 minutes, this casserole is hearty, flavorful, and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Sauce and Filling
- 10.5 ounce condensed cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 ounce condensed cream of celery soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 10 oz light tuna in water, drained (two 5 oz cans)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 5 cups cooked egg noodles
Topping
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sauce: Preheat your oven to 350˚F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, condensed cream of celery soup, whole milk, sour cream, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk them together until the mixture is smooth and well blended, forming the creamy sauce base for the casserole.
- Add Tuna and Peas: Stir the drained tuna and frozen peas into the sauce mixture. Mix gently to distribute the tuna flakes and peas evenly throughout the creamy base, ensuring each bite will have plenty of flavor and texture.
- Combine with Noodles: Add the cooked egg noodles to the bowl and stir until all noodles are thoroughly coated with the creamy tuna mixture. Make sure the ingredients are well incorporated before transferring to the baking dish.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Spray or grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Spread the noodle and tuna mixture evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top for an even layer.
- Prepare Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter, stirring to coat the crumbs fully. This buttery crumb mixture will provide a crunchy topping to the casserole.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the casserole’s surface. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cracker topping has turned a light, golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a lower-sodium option, use low-sodium soups and rinse canned tuna before draining.
- Frozen peas can be substituted with fresh peas or other vegetables like corn or carrots.
- If you want a crunchier topping, add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese to the cracker mixture.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.