Name: Make-Ahead Tuna Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 6 oz. cans flaked tuna (drained); 1/4 cup onion (chopped); 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded); 2 10 oz. cans cream of mushroom soup; 1 cup frozen peas; 1/2 cup red pepper (chopped); 1 tsp. pepper; 1 package of egg noodles

I know that tuna isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, a good tuna casserole with noodles is totally comforting food. This make-ahead classic recipe is so easy.

I know canned tuna sometimes gets a bad rap, but this dish is actually really tasty. And it’s super economical so it’s a great budget meal. I always make several at one time to freeze as that way, I can buy cans of tuna in bulk when they are on sale. This saves even more time and money.

Can you freeze tuna casserole?

Yes, tuna casserole freezes beautifully! Tuna noodle casserole can be frozen 3 ways.

Freeze the mixture WITHOUT the noodles and then cook the noodles on the day of serving and add them together before baking. This is my preferred method because it ensures the best texture consistency of the noodles.
Cook the noodles to slightly under where you want them cooked, drain and mix into the rest of the mixture before freezing. Then thaw and bake.
Make the full recipe including the noodles and bake and then freeze. Then thaw and reheat. This is my least favorite method as there is the risk of the finished casserole being overcooked or being somewhat dried out.

Make-Ahead Tuna Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients:

2x 6 oz. cans flaked tuna, drained
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2x 10 oz. cans cream of mushroom soup
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
1 tsp. pepper

For cooking day:

package of egg noodles

Assembly instructions:

Mix everything together in a large bowl.
Put mixture into a large resealable bag.
Remove the excess air and seal. Lay flat and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

Thaw.
Cook egg noodles according to package directions to al dente.
Mix the noodles with the contents of the freezer bag.
Put in a casserole dish and bake in a 425° oven for 20-30 minutes.

Serve on its own or serve alongside a salad or steamed broccoli.

Leftovers can be placed in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Variations for tuna casserole:

Sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs or Panko bread crumbs combined with a bit of melted butter on top of your casserole.
Top with french fried onions.
Use frozen mixed vegetables in place of the peas.
Crush potato chips to create a crispy topping.

This easy tuna casserole recipe is included in our Family Favourites Freezer Meal Plan along with other easy recipes, prep lists, shopping lists, and printable labels.