Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my tuna noodle casserole dry? ›

A possible reason for this is that you added too much pasta or not enough liquid. The pasta absorbs liquid, so you should use a generous amount of sauce to keep the dish moist. Your tuna casserole can also become dry due to overbaking.

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.

Do you cook the noodles before adding them to the casserole? Yes, you should cook the egg noodles until they're al dente before combining with the other ingredients.

You can also reheat individual servings of Tuna Noodle Casserole in the microwave with excellent results. I sometimes add a splash of milk to the casserole before reheating and then mix it in so it emerges just as creamy as the first day.

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.

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.

Measuring Egg Noodles

Unlike macaroni pastas, egg noodles measured in measuring cups are typically the same both dry and cooked. Typically, for extra wide egg noodles, a 2 oz. serving equals 1 1/4 cups of dry egg noodles, which will yield approximately 1 1/2 cups of cooked noodles.

Being that it is already pre-cooked, it is safe to consume straight from the can with no other preparation. Mixing up a quick tuna salad with mayo, pickles, or even Nick Jonas's surprisingly spicy ingredient is an easy way to add some flavor to the protein right out of the can.

Final answer: To safely cool a large batch of tuna casserole, divide it into smaller portions, put them in shallow containers, and refrigerate. Ensure the casserole's temperature drops to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and to 41 degrees or lower within six hours.

It also means tender noodles, sauce with the perfect consistency, and easy cleanup.

Do you add egg or noodles first? ›

It is recommended that you cook the egg separately and then mix it into the ramen once the noodles are cooked.

Do Not Rinse. Pasta should never, ever be rinsed for a warm dish. The starch in the water is what helps the sauce adhere to your pasta.

If you keep them in the oven for too long, the casserole may become dry and crumbly. On a similar note, you might end up with a dry casserole if the oven temperature is too high or if your oven generally runs hot. This can cause the liquid to evaporate, drying out the ingredients in your dish.

Store your leftover tuna noodle casserole in a shallow, airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat thoroughly in the oven or in the microwave.

This tuna bake also freezes perfectly and is excellent eaten hot or cold the next day for lunch.

These ingredients can help increase moisture while enhancing the flavor of your meal. If you've already cooked your casserole and find out it's too dry, another easy fix is to warm some broth and then pour it over the top of your casserole.

If you're worried about your leftovers being too dry, you can add an extra dollop of pasta sauce or even a few drops of water to the baking dish. This will revamp your leftovers and keep the taste and texture the same as the first time you enjoyed the meal.

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.