Easy Tuna Casserole

Easy Tuna Casserole

🐟✨ “Mac-n-Cheese Just Grew Gills—Meet Your New Weeknight Hero!”

This Easy Tuna Casserole is SO easy to make! Made with Kraft mac and cheese, tuna, peas, and a crunchy Panko topping, this comfort food classic is sure to become a new family favorite! Serve with quick Italian rolls and broccoli salad for a simply delicious dinner! 

 

 

Easy Tuna Casserole

Confession time: some nights my fridge looks like a reality TV show called So You Think You Can Cook?—half a bag of peas here, lone can of tuna there, and a duo of dusty blue Kraft boxes staring me down. Instead of ordering takeout (again), I whipped up this Easy Tuna Casserole and my family has declared it an instant repeat. Imagine creamy shells of mac and cheese mingling with savory tuna, sweet pops of peas, and a golden panko crust that crunches like applause after every bite.

This recipe is proof you can transform pantry staples into a bake-and-serve masterpiece without breaking a sweat—or the bank. It’s nostalgia with an upgrade, comfort food with a crunchy crown, and a guaranteed plate-licking situation whether you’re feeding toddlers, teens, or grown-ups who still secretly love boxed mac.

So, tie on your super-chef cape (apron) and let’s turn a few humble cans and boxes into pure dinnertime magic.

This is a try and true recipe! When I was a young mom, we didn’t have a lot of money and so I had to get creative in the dinner department. I would make this several times a month and my kids loved it!

My son and his cute wife lived with my in-laws for a couple of months until their house was being built. Zac would make dinner for his grandparents every night. One night he made this and they asked him where he got the recipe.  I had totally forgotten about this recipe until then. 

You probably have everything in your pantry to make this and your family will love it! Total comfort food! 

Easy Tuna Casserole

📝 Ingredient Roll Call (Why They Matter)

• Kraft Mac & Cheese boxes (2) Built-in cheese packet means instant creaminess and zero béchamel stress.
• Cans of tuna (in water or oil, your call) Protein powerhouse plus omega-3s that keep hearts happy.
• Cream of mushroom soup (2 cans) The sneaky binder delivering earthy umami and velvety texture.
• Peas (1½ cups) Sweet bursts of color and vitamins; frozen peas go directly from bag to bowl.
• Shredded mild cheese (1 cup) Melts into stretchy ribbons and deepens that iconic mac flavor.
• Panko breadcrumbs (1 cup) Crispy top layer so each spoonful gets crunch AND cream.
• Optional butter (2 tbsp) Toast panko in it for next-level golden drama.

 

 

Easy Tuna Casserole

ingredients:

2 boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese– plus the ingredients to make it according to the instructions on the box.

2 cans of cream of mushroom soup

1 1/2 cups peas- fresh or frozen

1 cup mild cheese- shredded

1 cup panko 

Easy Tuna Casserole

🥄 Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F and lightly grease your favorite casserole dish.
2. Cook Kraft Mac & Cheese exactly as the blue box says. Embrace that neon cheese magic; it’s the base of our comfort empire.
3. Add drained tuna and both cans of cream of mushroom soup straight into the pot of mac. Stir until well blended.
4. Fold in shredded cheese and peas. Don’t over-mix; leave cheesy pockets for surprise bites.
5. Pour mixture into your casserole dish, leveling with a spatula.
6. Sprinkle panko evenly over the top. Feeling fancy? Toast panko in 2 tbsp butter on medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden, then scatter.
7. Bake uncovered for 20–30 minutes until edges bubble and top is crisp.
8. Let rest 5 minutes so molten cheese settles. Dive in!

 

Note: You can replace the peas with your favorite veggie and it will still be great! Plus, if you want to jazz it up a little, place your panko in a skillet with 2 Tablespoons of butter. On a medium heat, stir until your panko is golden brown and then sprinkle it over your casserole. 

 

🔢 Calorie Count & Nutrition Facts

These numbers are approximate for one of eight hearty servings baked in a standard 9×13-inch casserole dish.

Numbers shift depending on which cheese, tuna, or mac brand you pick, but this gives you a ballpark. Not bad for spoonfuls of cozy, right?

 

Easy Tuna Casserole

🔧 Cooking Tips & Tricks

• Keep tuna moist Drain it, but don’t press completely dry; a little juice helps distribute flavor.
• Boost umami Stir a teaspoon of soy sauce into the soup for deeper savoriness.
• Crisp factor If you forgot to toast panko first, flip your broiler on for the last 2 minutes—watch like a hawk to avoid charcoal chic.
• Veggie swap secret Chop veggies small so they cook through without blanching. Broccoli florets, diced carrots, or spinach ribbons are all fair game.
• Cheese choice matters Monterey Jack melts smooth, cheddar gives sharpness, and pepper jack adds mellow heat—pick your vibe.
• Kiddie approval trick Reserve 2 tbsp shredded cheese to sprinkle over the panko. Extra gooey, extra convincing for veggie skeptics.

 

Easy Tuna Casserole

 

🎨 Recipe Variations Table

 

Easy Tuna Casserole

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use gluten-free mac and panko? Absolutely. Grab gluten-free shells and breadcrumbs, double-check soup label, and bake as written.

What if I hate mushrooms? Cream of celery or cream of chicken works just as well.

Can I freeze leftovers? Yes! Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat at 350 °F until hot.

Milk or water for boxed mac? Milk gives richer sauce, but if you’re out, water plus 1 tbsp butter per box still rocks.

Is canned salmon okay? Go for it—just watch for tiny bones or buy boneless.

 

🌱 Lighten-It-Up Options

• Use low-fat condensed soup.
• Swap regular cheese for reduced-fat cheddar.
• Replace one box of mac with high-protein chickpea pasta cooked in water, toss with one cheese packet to keep flavor consistent.
• Stir in extra veggies to bulk up portions without extra calories.

These tweaks can shave about 40–60 calories per serving.

 

Easy Tuna Casserole

🏆 Make-Ahead Magic

1. Assemble casserole through step 5.
2. Wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze up to a month (skip panko until baking day).
3. From fridge: add panko, bake 30–35 minutes.
4. From freezer: thaw overnight, add panko, bake 40–45 minutes.

Great for new-mom meal trains or Sunday prep sessions.

🥳 Crowd-Size Math

Feeding a football team? Double recipe, split into two pans. Baking time stays the same if you leave space for hot air to circulate.

Cooking for two? Halve everything, bake in an 8×8 dish, and pull at 18–20 minutes.

 

Easy Tuna Casserole

So next time your pantry whispers “Help, it’s lonely in here,” listen closely—it might be begging you to whip up this crunchy, creamy tuna casserole superstar. Whether you’re meal-prepping, feeding a picky crowd, or just craving a retro hug in a bowl, this recipe checks every box: fast, budget-friendly, and oh-so-yum.

Snap a pic, tag @LouLouGirls_, and let the Internet witness your casserole glow-up. May your noodles be cheesy, your panko be crispy, and your dinner table be full of happy chatter. Now, grab that serving spoon—your new weeknight hero is ready for its close-up.

Craving More?

• Try our One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken for a zippy protein boost.
• Dessert mood? Banana Poke Cake is calling your name.
• Breakfast tomorrow? Overnight Raspberry French Toast Casserole has you covered.

See you back in the kitchen, friend!