Baked Tuna Chow Mein Casserole Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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You can make this tasty dish in the microwave or oven. It's made with tuna, celery, onions, bell pepper, soy sauce, chow mein noodles, and cream of mushroom soup

Baked Tuna Chow Mein Casserole Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

under 30 minutes

5 reviews
2 comments


ingredients

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
1 can (7 ounce size) tuna, drained and gently flaked
1 can (10.25 ounce size) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup chow mein noodles
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/3 cup chow mein noodles, for top of casserole

directions

Place the butter in a 1 1/2 quart microwave-safe casserole dish. Place in the microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds.

Add the celery, onion, and bell pepper. Stir well. Heat on high, uncovered, for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time. If the veggies are still too crisp, cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Add the tuna, cream of mushroom soup, chow mein noodles, black pepper, and soy sauce. Stir well then top with the remaining chow mein noodles.

Cook in the microwave, uncovered, for 10 minutes on high heat or until the casserole is bubbly in the middle.

Serve hot.

Alternately, the casserole can be baked at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until heated through.

recipe tips


For a creamier casserole, try adding a dollop of sour cream or a splash of milk to the mixture before cooking.

To add a crispy topping, sprinkle crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or even potato chips on top of the casserole along with the chow mein noodles.

For a lighter version, use low-fat cream of mushroom soup and light butter or margarine.

Boost the flavor with additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of hot sauce to taste.

common recipe questions


Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?

You can use fresh tuna in this recipe. Cook the fresh tuna first by grilling, baking, or sauteing it until it's fully cooked, then flake it into the casserole mixture. Keep in mind that fresh tuna will have a slightly different texture and taste compared to canned tuna.

Is there a substitute for cream of mushroom soup?

If you prefer not to use cream of mushroom soup or are looking for a homemade alternative, you can make a simple white sauce flavored with mushrooms. Saute finely chopped mushrooms in butter, add flour to make a roux, then gradually whisk in milk until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Can I add other vegetables to this casserole?

You can add other vegetables such as peas, carrots, or corn to the casserole for added color, texture, and nutrition. Just make sure to cook any hard vegetables slightly before adding them to make sure they are tender after baking or microwaving.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook. If you're going to microwave it, it can go directly from the fridge to the microwave. If baking, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to make sure it's heated through.

What's the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until thoroughly heated. Be aware that the chow mein noodles on top may soften upon reheating.

Can I use a different type of noodle instead of chow mein noodles?

Yes, you can use other types of noodles such as cooked spaghetti, egg noodles, or even rice noodles if you prefer. The texture and flavor will vary slightly.


nutrition data

Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.

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GOOD OLE MACARONI TUNA CASSEROLE


reviews & comments

  1. Bonlee REVIEW:
    May 31, 2020

    This is an oldie but a goodie. One of our first recipes in ‘Home Ec’ back in the day. Nice to see updated microwave version. I would suggest adding 1 cup water for softer noodles.

  2. Guest Foodie April 23, 2020

    This was very tasty, but for us, I doubled the Tuna, used Heart Healthy canned soup, and low sodium Soy Sauce. I also added some fresh finely minced garlic & dill for more flavor (we like it). On the whole, this was a VERY nice recipe, and easily 'customized' to everyone's palate & needs. We all loved it. I saved the recipe, & I'll definitely make this many times in the future.

  3. sue L. REVIEW:
    July 30, 2017

    I remember making this for family...... my kids loved it....husband not so much.... and they are in their 60's now.....I would switch out tuna and use chicken and slivered almonds .....now make it for myself. freeze leftovers then warm in microwave .....great time saver...fast.

  4. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    July 14, 2016

    Your recipes are great,thanks

  5. Andy REVIEW:
    March 25, 2016

    I added teaspoon minced garlic, liberal addition of red pepper flakes, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, French fried onions, and for first time, frozen peas...this is great!

  6. Tippy2 REVIEW:
    February 16, 2016

    This was good, and overall pretty easy to make. Be sure to check those microwaved veggies to be certain that the celery softens like it should. Mine wound up a little crispier than I would have liked.I went with the combo microwave and oven approach. It took a little longer, but the oven seemed to brown the chow mein noodles and surface layer better for a little added appeal.

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Baked Tuna Chow Mein Casserole Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

Why is my tuna casserole so dry? ›

Tuna casserole can become dry due to overbaking or using an insufficient amount of sauce. To prevent dryness, it's essential to monitor the baking time closely, every oven is different!

What is tuna noodle casserole made of? ›

Use 2 cans soup, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup pimiento, two 12-ounce cans tuna, 6 ounces (about 4 cups) egg noodles, 2 tablespoons bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon butter. Bake in a 2-quart casserole for 30 minutes or until hot, then for another 5 to brown the bread crumb mixture.

What is smart ones tasty american favorites tuna noodle casserole? ›

Smart Ones Tuna Noodle Casserole offers a quick meal solution for lunch or dinner. Our savory meal features chunks of tuna, mafalda pasta and peas in a creamy sauce topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Each meal contains 270 calories, 12 grams of protein and 8 WW Points® per serving.

How many calories does homemade tuna casserole have? ›

Tuna Noodle Casserole With Vegetables And (mushroom) Soup (1 cup) contains 32.5g total carbs, 30.3g net carbs, 15.6g fat, 24.6g protein, and 372 calories.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

What can I add to tuna to make it less dry? ›

To prevent your tuna salad from being dry, you'll need to stir in at least one tablespoon mayo per one (5-ounce) can of tuna. After mixing in the rest of your ingredients, taste the salad. If you want it creamier, stir in another tablespoon or two of mayo. A squeeze of lemon juice also adds moisture.

How do you thicken tuna casserole? ›

Condensed cream of mushroom soup will create a thick sauce for tuna casserole, but only if you don't dilute the soup. If the tuna casserole looks a little thin after baking, mix in an extra 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Let the casserole bake, uncovered, for a little longer and it should thicken right up.

What's the best pasta to use for tuna casserole? ›

If you are looking to make a satisfying tuna casserole, make sure to use egg noodles for a mouth-pleasing and tummy-filling meal.

What method should be used to cool tuna casserole? ›

Refrigeration: Place the tuna casserole in airtight containers or covered dishes and place them in the refrigerator. Make sure to leave enough space for air circulation. Cooling the casserole in the refrigerator allows the heat to dissipate slowly and keeps the food safe from bacteria growth.

How long does tuna noodle casserole last in the freezer? ›

Lastly, you can freeze cooked tuna casserole if you cannot eat it within 3-4 days. Whether it's fresh out of the oven or leftovers, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If straight from the oven, allow it to cool completely before sealing it so it doesn't continue to cook.

Who makes frozen tuna casserole? ›

Tuna Noodle Casserole Frozen Meal | Official STOUFFER'S®

Is casserole American food? ›

Although their name comes from the French word for saucepan, casseroles feel distinctly American, routed in a love for comfort food and often shaped by a desire for easy, tasty home-cooked meals. Here's everything you need to know about casseroles and cooking them, along with great recipes for all kinds of occasions.

Is cooked canned tuna healthy? ›

Tuna is not only delicious and easily pairs with your favorite recipes, it fuels your body, too! 1. Is canned tuna fish good for you? Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus.

Is canned tuna high in calories? ›

Tuna is a lean meat. It's relatively high in protein, but low in calories, which means that it keeps you full longer and stops you from eating more. In one study, adolescents who regularly ate lean fish like tuna for several weeks lost an average of two pounds more weight than the control group that didn't eat fish.

How do you cook tuna so it's not dry? ›

Tuna dries out quite quickly and turns crumbly, so it should be cooked very briefly over a high heat in a frying pan, on a griddle or over a barbecue; or cooked under oil (confit), sous vide or simmered in a sauce.

How do you keep tuna moist? ›

Liberally oil the tuna steaks. For rare to medium-rare steaks: broil two inches from the heat source, for about two and a half minutes; turn the steaks over and broil for about another one and a half to two minutes. Just before they are done, place a heaping spoonful of flavored butter on top of each piece.

How do you moisten leftover tuna casserole? ›

Alternatively, Foods Guy recommends adding a splash of water or chicken stock to your casserole and covering it with plastic wrap before microwaving, which will add new moisture and lock in the steam, ensuring a perfectly moist reheated tuna casserole.

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