Crockpot Tuna Noodle Casserole

If you are looking for a simple dinner idea, dive in to this creamy crockpot tuna noodle casserole. Creamy pasta with cheese, flaky tuna, all in one simple crockpot tuna recipe. This is the best tuna noodle casserole recipe that will be a total comfort food.

Now, we grew up eating tuna casserole without peas. Some love peas paired with the tuna fish casserole. You are welcome to add in peas if you prefer it that way. Try our ground beef tater tot casserole for an easy dinner idea.

We are a sucker for simple dinner ideas that require minimal prep on our hand. It helps us keep from ordering takeout and staying home, on those nights we don’t want to be in the kitchen. A simple recipe that practically cooks itself!

Why Make This Tuna Casserole Recipe

Crock Pot Casserole – Want a crockpot casserole recipe? Here is one you can make in no time. We love having recipes on hand especially for fall and winter!

Easy Dinner Idea – This is a simple tuna casserole. No fuss with prep, and a hands-off approach for cooking. This is a great dinner idea for any night of the week.

Inexpensive Dinner – If you are on a budget, this is an inexpensive dinner idea that feeds a large family. Plus the leftovers are pretty tasty as well!

No Condensed Soup – This recipe for crock pot tuna casserole does not contain condensed soups. We wanted to create a homemade casserole without condensed soups.

Ingredients You Need

• Tuna – we used canned tuna for this recipe. Tuna in water, which you will drain off the water in the can before pouring in.
• Butter
• Corn – This is optional but it does add a nice sweetness to the casserole dish.
• Onion, Garlic, Celery – Adds a nice layer of flavor to the slow cooker casserole.
• Salt and Pepper
• Dried Dill
• Egg Noodles – we love tuna casserole with egg noodles. You can swap the egg noodles out if you want, but it is our personal preference.
• Milk
• Broth
• Ritz Crackers – This adds a buttery flavor and a crunch to the top of the casserole. You can go a step further and toss in the oven to broil to get a crunchier texture to the crackers.

Swaps and Variations

Here are a few slow cooker tuna noodle casserole swaps you can do to change up the recipe a bit. Feel free to alter to fit your preference.

• You can use cream of mushroom soup or other condensed soups to mix in for a thick and creamy texture if you want.
• Mix in green beans, peas, or over veggies of choice.
• Swap the crackers with crushed potato chips for a different crunch topping.
• You can assemble this recipe in a baking dish and bake in the oven instead of doing a crock pot recipe.
• Season with your usual spices and herbs to alter the flavor.
• Add in some hot sauce to ramp up the heat a bit.

Tools You Will Need

Crock Pot

Vegetable Chopper

Cheese Grater

How to Make

Step 1: Start by sautéing your butter with onions and celery. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until veggies are softened. Then add in the garlic and cook a minute longer.

Step 2: Add the mixture into your crockpot, and then top with corn. Season with salt, pepper, and the dried dill. Stir in the milk and broth.

Step 3: Next, layer in the egg noodles, and some tuna fish. Make sure the noodles are in the liquid, or the pasta will not cook properly.

Step 4: Cook on high for 2 hours, and the last 15 minutes before serving, stir the mixture.

Step 5: Top with shredded cheese, and let it melt. Then top with the crackers, and serve. You can saute the crackers in a pan with some butter before topping if you want a crunchier texture.

What to Serve With Crockpot Tuna Noodle Casserole

• Green Bean Almondine
• Green Salad
• Vegetable Salad
• Fluffy Dinner Rolls
• Broccoli

Practical notes

Here are some frequently asked questions for this best tuna casserole recipe.

How long will tuna noodle casserole store leftover?

This casserole will store for 3-4 days in the fridge. You will find you can also freeze your casserole for 2-3 months. Just store in a proper airtight container and then reheat.

Does tuna casserole freeze?

This tuna casserole does freeze if you would like. Just store any leftovers in the freezer for 2-3 months. To reheat you can cover tightly with foil and heat in the oven until thawed and warmed through. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOr thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in the microwave. Just know the pasta will be softer in texture, but the flavor will still be.

Why is our tuna casserole dry?

The noodles in the casserole will soak up a lot of liquid as it cooks. If you find your casserole is a bit dry, you can add a little extra broth or broth and milk to help add moisture back into the dish. Stir well and then top and serve.

Can we bake tuna noodle casserole in oven instead of the crockpot?

You will cook your noodles as directed on the bag. Then you will assemble the tuna casserole as directed, and then mix in the cooked pasta. Then pour into a casserole and top with cheese and crackers and bake as directed.

Do you eat tuna casserole warm or cold?

Tuna casserole can be eaten cold or hot. It is all about what your personal preference is in terms of how you l enjoy it. Most of the time you eat it hot when first made then for leftovers people can eat it cold or warm it up.

Can you freeze tuna casserole after cooking?

You can freeze tuna casserole if you would like. One thing is the egg noodles will be a lot softer in texture once reheated. If you want you can freeze without adding noodles. Or freeze it with the noodles and just know the texture will be slightly different. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFreeze your casserole in an airtight freezer container for 1-2 months. Then thaw in the fridge and reheat as you would like.

Ingredients

Makes 6 -8 servings

• 1 pound egg noodles
• 2-5 oz cans tuna, drained
• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 cup corn, drained from juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups vegetable broth, or chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheese, optional
• 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed, optional + 1 tablespoon butter

Equipment

• Vegetable Chopper
• Crockpot
• Heavy-duty Crockpot Liners BPA-free

Method

1. On the saute mode on your crockpot (if you have the option) or in a skillet on stove add the butter and onions and celery. Cook for 2-3 minutes on medium heat until onions are translucent.
2. Then add in the garlic and cook an additional minute. Pour the veggies into the crockpot, or turn off the saute mode on your crockpot.
3. Next, add in the salt, pepper and dill. Then pour the milk and broth on top.
4. Place egg noodles in mixture, try to press all noodles in liquid. Then top with the 2 cans of tuna.
5. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook for 2 hours on high.
6. 15 minutes before the 2 hour mark, sprinkle on the shredded cheese if you add cheese. Then place lid on and let it finish cooking.
7. If you want Ritz crackers on top add the crushed crackers in a pan with a tablespoon butter. Cook to brown and make the crackers crunchy. Sprinkle on right before serving if you want.
8. Serve the crockpot tuna noodle casserole with your favorite sides and enjoy.

Kitchen notes

Topping

– The Ritz crackers are optional. It adds a nice crunch factor to the casserole. You could also do crushed potato chips or Panko bread crumbs as well. Cheese – Any cheese works for topping, but you do not have to make this a cheesy tuna casserole if you don’t want. Storing – The casserole will store a couple days in the fridge, or you can freeze any leftovers for 1-2 months. The noodles will be softer once thawed from being frozen. Vegetables – You could add in green beans, peas, or other veggies to cook with the casserole if you want.