Tuna noodle casserole with vegetables and mushroom sauce
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A comforting American casserole featuring tender egg noodles, flaky tuna, and mixed vegetables bound in a creamy, savory mushroom sauce. It offers a satisfying mix of soft noodles, tender vegetables, and a rich, umami-forward sauce. Nutritionally, it's a balanced, protein-rich meal with a moderate calorie count.
Calorie split: 26% protein · 42% carbs · 32% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, home-cooked comfort, combining savory tuna, creamy sauce, and soft noodles into a satisfying, one-dish meal. It's also highly versatile, allowing for easy ingredient swaps and additions.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Some versions can be high in sodium, especially from canned tuna and condensed soup, and may contain common allergens like wheat (noodles) and fish. To counteract sodium, use low-sodium soup and tuna packed in water, and pair the dish with a fresh, acidic side salad to balance the richness.
Key benefits
- Good source of lean protein from tuna
- Provides energy from complex carbohydrates
- Contains vegetables for added vitamins and minerals
- Relatively low in fat for a creamy dish
- A complete, balanced meal in one dish
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The dish's popularity surged in the U.S. after World War II, partly due to government surplus canned tuna and the rise of convenient, economical home cooking.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 73.3 g |
| Energy | 124 kcal |
| Protein | 8.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 13.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 34.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 94.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 154 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 280 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.56 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 29.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.13 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.14 mg |
| Niacin | 4.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.13 mg |
| Folate, total | 30.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 21.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 45.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 22.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.78 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 30.0 ug |
| Retinol | 29.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 12.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 1.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 23.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.28 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.85 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.31 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.96 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.89 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.93 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.05 g |
| Cholesterol | 24.0 mg |
FAQ
Is tuna noodle casserole healthy?
It can be a balanced meal, providing protein, carbs, and vegetables. Its healthiness depends on the recipe; lighter versions with whole-grain noodles, low-sodium ingredients, and added vegetables are more nutritious.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, it's an excellent make-ahead dish. Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I substitute for tuna?
You can use canned chicken, salmon, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian version. The creamy mushroom sauce and noodles provide a versatile base for many proteins.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.24 kcal/g · 26% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 1.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.82 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.