One-Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with Homemade Béchamel

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting tuna noodle casserole baked with a creamy homemade béchamel sauce and topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a satisfying meal. This american-inspired noodles ready in about 45 minutes pairs egg noodles, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 8 oz egg noodles. Cook for 7 minutes until just tender, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes until the mixture bubbles and smells slightly nutty.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Add the drained noodles, 1 cup frozen peas, 1/4 cup diced pimientos, and 12 oz drained canned tuna to the béchamel sauce. Stir gently until evenly combined.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup bread crumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top.
  6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges. Let cool slightly before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with Homemade Béchamel take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with Homemade Béchamel?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep egg noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with Homemade Béchamel?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with Homemade Béchamel for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with Homemade Béchamel?

American noodles like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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