Chicken (Tuna) Noodle Casserole
A comforting chicken or tuna noodle casserole featuring tender noodles, savory mushroom soup, and melted cheese, perfect for family dinners and easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 4 oz. uncooked noodles
- 1/3 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 small jar chopped pimento ⓘ
- 3 oz. can mushroom stems and pieces ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 to 3 cans white meat chicken ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons margarine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1/3 cup milk ⓘ
- pepper to taste ⓘ
- grated Cheddar cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook noodles in boiling salted water until tender, then drain.
- Melt margarine in a skillet, add chopped onion and chopped green pepper, and cook until tender.
- Stir in chopped pimento, mushroom stems and pieces, salt, pepper, cream of mushroom soup, and milk.
- Add cooked chicken (or tuna) and cooked noodles to the mixture and combine thoroughly.
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and sprinkle with grated Cheddar cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes or microwave on High for 15 to 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the mixture before baking. If you're out of pimento, roasted red peppers can be a tasty substitute. Feel free to use tuna instead of chicken for a different flavor profile, or add frozen peas for added nutrition. This dish is versatile and can be tailored to your pantry staples.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken (Tuna) Noodle Casserole pairs beautifully with a light side salad or steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal. Consider serving it with garlic bread for a comforting dinner. For a twist, you can serve it alongside a bowl of Summer Garden Soup to add some freshness to your meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until heated through, or bake in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covered with foil to retain moisture. Always check that it's hot all the way through before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken (Tuna) Noodle Casserole contains roughly 770 calories, with 12g protein, 116g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (45% of the Daily Value), iron (42% of the Daily Value), and calcium (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1164mg per serving (51% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
What kind of noodles work best for this dish?
Egg noodles are traditionally used, but you can substitute them with other types like rotini or penne. Just ensure that whatever noodle you choose, it cooks to al dente before mixing into the casserole to avoid mushiness during baking.
Can I freeze the casserole?
Yes, you can freeze this casserole. After assembling, cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 1 hour or until heated through. You might need to extend the baking time if it's still partially frozen.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).