Name: Cheesy Tuna Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 boxes of macaroni and cheese $1.00; 1 can cream of mushroom soup $1.00; 12 oz can of tuna $3.00; ½ cup milk $.25; 2 cups cheddar cheese shreds $2.00; 2 cups potato chips, crushed $1.00; Salt & pepper to taste; Parsley, for garnish, optional

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If you’re looking for a good old fashioned cheesy tuna casserole recipe, look no further! This easy dinner will fill your family up without busting the grocery budget.

You can’t beat a casserole sometimes. A comfort dish that you know everyone is going to love and enjoy. This is one of the best tuna casserole recipes you can find and we love how tasty this cheesy tuna casserole is.

We all enjoy comfort food, especially on busy evenings when you have not stopped all day. Errands to run, work commitments, school extra-curricular clubs, it all adds up. So knowing you have something easy to make, that is cost-effective, and tastes amazing can become a highlight of your day. The whole family will love it.

A casserole is a classic American dish, and this cheesy tuna casserole recipe is one you will want to add to your meal plan rotation. The mushroom and cheesy sauce is a wonderful combination and it is the perfect meal to enjoy, especially when it is cold outside. So if you would like to give this classic tuna casserole a try then here is everything you need to know to make it.

Ingredients needed to make the Cheesy Tuna Casserole

First of all, it is a good idea to ensure that you can get all of the ingredients together. Focusing on this first means that the cooking process will be simple. You will need:

2 boxes of macaroni and cheese $1.00
1 can cream of mushroom soup $1.00
12 oz can of tuna $3.00
½ cup of milk $.25
2 cups of cheddar cheese shreds $2.00
2 cups of potato chips, crushed $1.00
Salt and pepper to taste
Parsley, for garnish, optional

This makes 6 hearty servings

Total Cost = $8.25

Cost per Serving = $1.37

Many of us are watching our spending right now, and the one thing we can do is control our disposable income. The biggest spend is often food, so making hearty delicious meals that are budget friendly can help families enjoy good food without feeling the pinch.

How to make the Cheesy Tuna Casserole

Now that you have all your ingredients to hand it is time to make the best tuna casserole.

You will want to preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13 pan or casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Next up it is time to prepare the macaroni. Cook the pasta in a large saucepan until tender, drain, and place back in the pot.

Mix in the macaroni and cheese packets as per package directions along with the mushroom soup, milk, tuna, 1 cup of cheese, and 1 cup of crushed potato chips. Last of all add some salt and pepper until well combined.

Spread evenly into the baking dish you are using.

Now you will want to add the remaining crushed potato chips and grated cheese to the top of the casserole.

Sprinkle on parsley if desired.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top.

Serve and enjoy!

Recipe notes and tips

When it comes to any recipe, it is always a good idea to understand what notes and tips you can use to help you fully utilize the recipe and have success each and every time. If you want to make the most out of this delicious cheesy tuna casserole then here are some recipe notes and tips to help.

You can make your own macaroni cheese instead of using the packets. You will need all-purpose flour, extra milk, melted butter, and extra cheese to make the creamy sauce. There are plenty of recipes online.
Keep an eye on the casserole when it is cooking. Every oven is different, and you won’t want to burn it.

Variations to try

Like with a lot of recipes, once you have tried them out a few times you can look to make some changes and vary the recipe to suit your tastes and preferences. So I wanted to share with you some of them that you might want to try.

You can use different canned soups if you are not keen on mushrooms. Cream of chicken soup is a great option.
Instead of potato chips, you could use crushed ritz crackers instead. The extra cheesy flavor will be really enjoyable.
As casserole recipes go, you can be experimental. You could use this easy recipe as a base for all sorts of ingredients. Chicken, ham, or cooked meats from another meal will all work well.
Add some extra vegetables to this dish. Green onions or things like frozen peas and green beans will taste great. It will affect the overall cost of the meal, but it is added nutrition.
Use pantry staples to add to the flavor. Paprika or nutmeg will be great flavors.

FAQs

Like with any recipe, there are often questions that need answering. I thought I would share some of the common questions here, but if you have any comments or questions please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

How should I serve the Cheesy Tuna Casserole?

This is perfect served as it is but you could also add a side dish of greens, a lovely healthy side salad. or even some garlic bread. You may even be able to stretch out the servings for extra people or kids if you choose to add a few extra side dishes.

How do I store the Cheesy Tuna Casserole?

If you have any leftovers for the next day then you can easily store them in the refrigerator. Let them cool completely and then put them into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can heat them up in the microwave or the oven. You could also batch-cook this and freeze a portion for when you have a busy night. The frozen casserole will last up to two months in the freezer.

Can you make this Vegetarian?

Sure! The tuna has a great flavor but you don’t need to use it if you want to keep this a veggie meal. You could add lots of vegetables to it instead. Zucchini, Eggplant, Bell Peppers, and a variety of mushrooms will all work well. This is also a good recipe to use up any vegetables you have in the refrigerator.

I hope you enjoy making and eating this delicious Cheesy Tuna Casserole recipe.

Yield: 6 servings