Thursday

Tuna Noodle Casserole ~ A Retro Updated


No apologies, this has been a comfort food in our families for years. I don't make many casseroles anymore ~ but once in a while I crave one like this.

My Foodie Friday choice for our sweet host




Fair warning... If you're not a child of the 50's or 60's you may not appreciate this simple casserole. :)





I do it a little differently than our (my and dh's) mother's did while we were growing up (I skip the Campbell's Soup) and make a simple white sauce (flavored with sauteed minced onion and lots of finely sliced celery) instead.


Everything else is about the same. I use best quality albacore, solid pack tuna, packed in oil (I drain the oil), or if Italian canned tuna is reasonably priced, I'll use that.


Good quality tuna makes all the difference; and I always double or triple the amount of tuna.

Wide Egg Noodles ~ cooked al dente...


I add more veggies (any that you like) ~ I like mine with even more celery.

If you want to take another short-cut you can use mixed-frozen vegetables instead of prepping & sauteing your own.


I add some diced fresh red bell pepper, and always stir some petite frozen peas in mine, too ~

but add or omit whatever you please.


I like to bake mine in a low, wide baking dish until hot and bubbly.



Secret ingredient.... I also add some Best Foods/Hellman's mayo to the mix before putting in into the baking dish (check the consistency and thin with milk or table cream /half & half if you like.)

And yes! I top with a generous sprinkle of crushed potato chips, just like the old-fashioned original. Baked in a 350-degree oven (F) until heated through.
p>






Some like a spot of tomato ketchup drizzled over, or as a side on the serving plate, for a flavor contrast
(and nostalgia's sake!) :)


Leftovers are terrific, even cold... right from the fridge.
(No need to ask me how I know!)
*grin*



Thanks for taking this walk down memory lane with me. Many of our mothers, of a certain age, are smiling, I know. :)






21 comments:

  1. Oh, Mari, you caught me. I'm going to have to confess to being a child of the 50s (the very very very late 50s, mind you), but what's funny is that I didn't grow up with tuna casserole. I started making it for myself as an adult! I like my recipe but yours looks even better! I think the mayonnaise would add a lot. Looks delicious!
    Audrey

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've noticed a return to some of the "old" recipes--comfort food I guess! Can Jello salad be far behind? Thanks for a great post--love your photos!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is something I never had while growing up. I think I made it once in my early married years...but yours looks pretty darned great.
    I would give yours a try...uh...if you cooked it for me!
    L~xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Get this.....


    I made tuna noodle casserole last night for blogging purposes.


    yours looks GREAT!

    ReplyDelete
  5. i LOVE a nice tuna casserole, never get tired of it. thing is i bet i havent made one in 2 years! gotta do this

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you! I have been craving Tuna Casserole - I can't believe you posted it today. I didn't grow up with it either, but have made it a couple of times over the years for my family. I'm making this version soon!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Mari. This post is both appetizing and beautiful. Just one look at the tuna casserole, and I was swept back to my mother's kitchen, circa 1960s. I have a wonderful cookbook titled DINER, and Tuna Noodle Casserole was one of the headliners. I hadn't thought to use Italian tuna, or to make a white sauce--the white sauce would take this to a higher level.

    I love your green pan, and the Edge Of Dish was a joy to behold.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, it looks delish! Happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks tasty! Your pictures are excellent! Happy Foodie Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I feel comforted just *reading* about this dish! Yum :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Undoubtedly, there's a reason some of these recipes are "classics". Oldies, but goodies --- they just don't get any better than that!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was a teenager in the 50's and ate my weight in this casserole.
    I have since lost my taste for tuna so I haven't made one in years. My hubby likes it tho and now I am feeling bad that I haven't made him one in awhile..Maybe I'll do that with your recipe....Thanks for sharing..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yay for tuna casserole! Love the blast from the past. Thanks ... Cass

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would have done a happy dance for your casserole. It looks delicious...My mom made creamed tuna on toast...ugh..that or filet of sole every meatless Friday growing up.
    I still can't wait for Lent to be over!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I confess - I love tuna casserole! Since our girls have grown up and left home I haven't made it in such a long time. Oh, and the potato chips topping is a must ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Have loved tuna casserole forever! Recently made a version that I frequently enjoyed in a cafeteria many years ago. Even my husband,(Mr. Picky Palate),liked it! Your photos are fabulous. Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  17. This looks fantastic! Love it. Makes me wish I was back at my mom's kitchen table telling her I dont want any. But I really do. spells comfort! Yours is drop dead gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  18. looks good, time to rethink tuna for dinner!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks delicious! Have a great first weekend of Spring ~ Susan

    ReplyDelete
  20. So creamy! Yeah for comfort food!

    ReplyDelete
  21. That tuna noodle casserole looks nice and creamy and good!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

Subscribe:

 Subscribe in a reader...or

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner