Baked Tuna Chow Mein Casserole Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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You can make this tasty dish in the microwave or oven. It's made with tuna, celery, onions, bell pepper, soy sauce, chow mein noodles, and cream of mushroom soup

Baked Tuna Chow Mein Casserole Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

under 30 minutes

5 reviews
2 comments


ingredients

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
1 can (7 ounce size) tuna, drained and gently flaked
1 can (10.25 ounce size) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup chow mein noodles
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/3 cup chow mein noodles, for top of casserole

directions

Place the butter in a 1 1/2 quart microwave-safe casserole dish. Place in the microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds.

Add the celery, onion, and bell pepper. Stir well. Heat on high, uncovered, for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time. If the veggies are still too crisp, cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Add the tuna, cream of mushroom soup, chow mein noodles, black pepper, and soy sauce. Stir well then top with the remaining chow mein noodles.

Cook in the microwave, uncovered, for 10 minutes on high heat or until the casserole is bubbly in the middle.

Serve hot.

Alternately, the casserole can be baked at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until heated through.

recipe tips


For a creamier casserole, try adding a dollop of sour cream or a splash of milk to the mixture before cooking.

To add a crispy topping, sprinkle crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or even potato chips on top of the casserole along with the chow mein noodles.

For a lighter version, use low-fat cream of mushroom soup and light butter or margarine.

Boost the flavor with additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of hot sauce to taste.

common recipe questions


Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?

You can use fresh tuna in this recipe. Cook the fresh tuna first by grilling, baking, or sauteing it until it's fully cooked, then flake it into the casserole mixture. Keep in mind that fresh tuna will have a slightly different texture and taste compared to canned tuna.

Is there a substitute for cream of mushroom soup?

If you prefer not to use cream of mushroom soup or are looking for a homemade alternative, you can make a simple white sauce flavored with mushrooms. Saute finely chopped mushrooms in butter, add flour to make a roux, then gradually whisk in milk until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Can I add other vegetables to this casserole?

You can add other vegetables such as peas, carrots, or corn to the casserole for added color, texture, and nutrition. Just make sure to cook any hard vegetables slightly before adding them to make sure they are tender after baking or microwaving.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook. If you're going to microwave it, it can go directly from the fridge to the microwave. If baking, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to make sure it's heated through.

What's the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until thoroughly heated. Be aware that the chow mein noodles on top may soften upon reheating.

Can I use a different type of noodle instead of chow mein noodles?

Yes, you can use other types of noodles such as cooked spaghetti, egg noodles, or even rice noodles if you prefer. The texture and flavor will vary slightly.


nutrition data

Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.

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reviews & comments

  1. Bonlee REVIEW:
    May 31, 2020

    This is an oldie but a goodie. One of our first recipes in ‘Home Ec’ back in the day. Nice to see updated microwave version. I would suggest adding 1 cup water for softer noodles.

  2. Guest Foodie April 23, 2020

    This was very tasty, but for us, I doubled the Tuna, used Heart Healthy canned soup, and low sodium Soy Sauce. I also added some fresh finely minced garlic & dill for more flavor (we like it). On the whole, this was a VERY nice recipe, and easily 'customized' to everyone's palate & needs. We all loved it. I saved the recipe, & I'll definitely make this many times in the future.

  3. sue L. REVIEW:
    July 30, 2017

    I remember making this for family...... my kids loved it....husband not so much.... and they are in their 60's now.....I would switch out tuna and use chicken and slivered almonds .....now make it for myself. freeze leftovers then warm in microwave .....great time saver...fast.

  4. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    July 14, 2016

    Your recipes are great,thanks

  5. Andy REVIEW:
    March 25, 2016

    I added teaspoon minced garlic, liberal addition of red pepper flakes, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, French fried onions, and for first time, frozen peas...this is great!

  6. Tippy2 REVIEW:
    February 16, 2016

    This was good, and overall pretty easy to make. Be sure to check those microwaved veggies to be certain that the celery softens like it should. Mine wound up a little crispier than I would have liked.I went with the combo microwave and oven approach. It took a little longer, but the oven seemed to brown the chow mein noodles and surface layer better for a little added appeal.

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Baked Tuna Chow Mein Casserole Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

Why is my tuna casserole so dry? ›

A possible reason for this is that you added too much pasta or not enough liquid. The pasta absorbs liquid, so you should use a generous amount of sauce to keep the dish moist. Your tuna casserole can also become dry due to overbaking.

What is tuna noodle casserole made of? ›

Use 2 cans soup, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup pimiento, two 12-ounce cans tuna, 6 ounces (about 4 cups) egg noodles, 2 tablespoons bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon butter. Bake in a 2-quart casserole for 30 minutes or until hot, then for another 5 to brown the bread crumb mixture.

How do you moisten leftover tuna casserole? ›

Alternatively, Foods Guy recommends adding a splash of water or chicken stock to your casserole and covering it with plastic wrap before microwaving, which will add new moisture and lock in the steam, ensuring a perfectly moist reheated tuna casserole.

How much is one serving of tuna noodle casserole? ›

Tuna noodle casserole with cream or white sauce
Nutrition Facts
Portion Size224 g
Amount Per Portion376
Calories
% Daily Value *
29 more rows

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Covering a casserole helps the dish cook evenly, stay moist, and prevents burning. Uncovering helps with browning, crisping and allowing for steam to release.

How do you make a moist casserole? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

What's the best pasta to use for tuna casserole? ›

Egg noodles is the pasta of choice for Campbell's, which is a company commonly associated with casseroles thanks to its line of condensed cream soups. Campbell's recipe also calls for milk, chopped pimiento, frozen green peas, canned tuna, butter, and breadcrumbs.

How do you thicken tuna casserole? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

Why doesn't canned tuna need to be cooked? ›

Once the cans are filled and sealed, they also undergo processing, which the USDA explains is the method by which commercially canned goods are heated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy harmful microorganisms. From there, the vacuum seal prevents new bacteria from forming.

Can I eat tuna casserole that was left out overnight? ›

If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

How many days is tuna casserole good for? ›

Store your leftover tuna casserole in a shallow, airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave.

Which method should he use to safely cool the tuna casserole? ›

Divide the casserole into smaller portions. Use a shallow dish for faster cooling. Cool the freshly cooked casserole from 135°F (57°C) to 70°F (21°C) within two hours before refrigerating. You can use the ice-water or ice-paddle technique to cool the food product quickly.

How much sugar is in tuna casserole? ›

Amount/Serving%DV*Amount/Serving
Sat. Fat 1.2g6%Dietary Fiber 1.8g
Trans Fat 0gSugars 2.2g
Cholesterol 13.3mg4%Protein 8.4g
Sodium 684.9mg46%
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How many calories in a cup of homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole? ›

Tuna Noodle Casserole With Vegetables And (mushroom) Soup (1 cup) contains 32.5g total carbs, 30.3g net carbs, 15.6g fat, 24.6g protein, and 372 calories.

How many cups of casserole per person? ›

The serving size of mixed entrée recipes (casseroles) must be stated in cups (1-1½ cups), not ounces.

What can I add to tuna to make it less dry? ›

Add a little moisture to the mix

Unless your tuna comes in a pouch, chances are high that it's preserved in water and in a can. Once water is removed from a meat that's already dry on its own, the result is a sinewy and unappetizing protein surrounded by aluminum. Mayonnaise is, by far, the most popular addition.

Why is my casserole dry? ›

Probably 2 things: you're not using enough sauce, and you're baking it uncovered. Possibly the sauce you're using is too dry as well.

Why is my tuna mayo dry? ›

To prevent your tuna salad from being dry, you'll need to stir in at least one tablespoon mayo per one (5-ounce) can of tuna. After mixing in the rest of your ingredients, taste the salad. If you want it creamier, stir in another tablespoon or two of mayo. A squeeze of lemon juice also adds moisture.

Why tuna meat is dry? ›

Like all fish, however, the connective tissues in tuna are much easier to break down by cooking than those of beef. That means it is much easier to cook a tuna steak into a dry, crumbly mess than beef.

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