Tuna Casserole Recipe

This Luby’s tuna casserole is an easy baked dish made with macaroni, canned tuna, creamy soup, and crispy fried onions on top. Kinda old-school, super comforting, and barely any prep. Good when you’re low on energy but still want real food.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 10 mins
• Cook time: 30 mins
• Flavor: creamy, cheesy, crunchy topping
• Great for: weeknights, leftovers, comfort meals

Why I Like This Recipe

Not gonna lie, I wasn’t in the mood to cook. Dug around, found a can of tuna, leftover pasta, and figured… why not. Dumped it all in a dish, baked it, and wow. Warm, cheesy, crunchy — kinda hit the spot.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked macaroni
• 1 (5 oz) can tuna, drained
• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1½ cups French fried onions

How To Make Tuna Casserole

1. Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C) — first thing.
2. Mix the base: Toss macaroni, tuna, and soup in a 9×13 dish.
3. Cheese layer: Sprinkle the cheddar over the top.
4. Bake it: 25 mins till bubbly and golden.
5. Add crunch: Top with fried onions, bake 5 more mins. Done.

Tips for Success

• Salt your pasta water or the whole thing tastes flat.
• Use sharp cheddar — it cuts through the creaminess.
• Add the onions at the end so they don’t burn.
• Stir everything really well or you’ll get dry pockets.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Lasts 3–4 days sealed up.
• Freezer: Freeze in portions. Reheat from thawed or bake straight from frozen.
• Microwave: 1–2 minutes works fine, cover it.
• Oven: 300°F for 10–15 minutes until hot again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q1: Can I use cream of mushroom?
  Yep — works great. A little earthier but still solid.
• Q2: What kind of tuna?
  I usually go with chunk light. Anything canned works if it’s not too wet.
• Q3: Can I make it ahead?
  Yeah, mix it all, skip the onions, and chill it. Add onions right before baking.
• Q4: What else can I toss in?
  Frozen peas, corn, even a splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling it.
• Q5: Is this kid-friendly?
  Totally. Cheesy pasta? Always a win.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Pasta overcooked: Undercook it slightly since it bakes again.
• Burnt onions: Add them at the very end — last 5 minutes max.
• Bland flavor: Use sharp cheese, season the base if needed.
• Skipping the mix: Don’t just layer — stir the tuna, soup, and pasta well.
• Too much liquid: Stick with just one can of soup or it’ll be runny.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 320
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 580mg
• Potassium: 210mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 13g