This cheesy tuna noodle casserole recipe is budget-friendly and easy to make from scratch for the perfect weeknight meal! For a slight twist on classic tuna casserole, it has Old Bay Seasoning and a buttered toast topping.
Preheat the oven to 400F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch casserole dish and set aside.
Cook the noodles to al dente according to the package directions; drain well and set aside.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the onion and cook until softened, but not browned, about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, bay leaf, Old Bay Spice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Stirring frequently, bring up to a boil. Turn off the heat and whisk in the shredded cheddar. Remove and discard the bay leaf and stir in the noodles, tuna, peas, and cubed cheddar. Pour the tuna noodle mixture into the prepared dish.
For the topping, pule the bread in a food processor until crumbled. While processing, pulse in the Old Bay Spice, and then gradually the butter. Sprinkle the topping on the casserole.
Bake until the casserole is warm throughout and golden on top, about 15 minutes.
Serve.
Notes
Storage: Store leftover tuna casserole in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer-Friendly: To freeze tuna noodle casserole, wrap it well, label it with the contents and the date, and put it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat this casserole, thaw it to room temperature first. Then reheat it in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave, or in an oven-safe dish in a 375F oven topped with foil until warm throughout.