Learn how to make an old Fashioned tuna casserole with crunchy potato chips just like Mom’s! This retro, classic tuna noodle recipe with cheese has a creamy homemade sauce using no condensed soup and is easily adaptable to make gluten-free!

overhead shot of tuna casserole with a wooden spoon going into it

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Old Fashioned Gluten-Free Tuna Casserole With Peas

Recently my tastebuds traveled back the 70s and 80s when family meals revolved around old fashioned creamy tuna casserole, old school tamale pie, mac and cheese, and salisbury steak. My flashback made me want to replicate this comforting dish immediately.

My mother’s baked tuna casserole recipe was a family hit not only because of the creamy sauce, canned tuna and peas, but the crunchy layer of potato chips on top. Typically you don’t have to ask kids twice to eat potato chips with their dinner!

Of course, nowadays, I needed to keep the same essential flavors, but change it into a gluten-free tuna noodle casserole so our whole family could did into one bubbling dish without complaints. My revamped version was such a hit, it’s not up there with as one of their most requested gluten-free pasta dinners and casseroles.

While Mom used a condensed mushroom soup shortcut, this gluten free tuna casserole is made without soup, but keeping in all the easiness so it can still be pulled off for a weeknight dinner. Just like our gluten-free broccoli and chicken pasta bake a sauce is creamy sauce quickly comes together on the stove and stirred in with gluten-free noodles, cheese, peas, and optional hard boiled eggs.

I haven’t had Tuna Noodle Casserole since I went gluten-free, so I was thrilled to discover this recipe. Not only was it delicious, exactly as written, but it was also incredibly easy to make. I’ve already eaten it for both lunch and dinner and will definitely be making it again.

—Murray

Ingredient notes

  • Tuna – Use solid white albacore tuna or chunk light tuna in water, but not tuna canned in oil. 
  • Cheese – Freshly grated cheese adds flavor and makes an extra creamy sauce. I recommend sharp cheddar or cheddar cheese.
  • Hard Boiled Eggs – This is something my Mom added to a lot of casseroles, but can be left out.
  • Noodles – Gluten-free egg noodles are hard to find, so I use easier to find alternatives, such as gluten-free elbow macaroni or penne. If making a classic recipe traditional egg noodles may be used.
  • Potato Chips – Use regular or wavy chips or see below for alternative tuna casserole toppings

Let’s Make This Together!

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

Creamy mushroom sauce – quick and simple

Here’s a back pocket recipe for GF casseroles, an easy gluten-free substitute condensed soup. For the mushroom sauce sauté the mushrooms and onions in the butter until soft. Add the milk, seasonings and bring to a boil. Slowly stir in the cornstarch mixed with chicken broth. Then just simmer until nice and thick. No canned soup and no flour!

a spoon holding up mushroom sauce.

Hard part is over – mix all the casserole goodness

Grab a large bowl and pour in the partially cooked gluten-free noodles (more on that below👇), sauce, mayo, sour cream, peas, optional hard boiled eggs, and cheddar cheese.

all the casserole ingredients in a large bowl.

Crunchy topping – potato chips!

This is how you take a vintage tuna casserole from good to outstanding – adding crushed potato chips on top. Bonus – they are naturally gluten-free and you don’t need to buy speciality (ie. expensive) GF bread crumbs.

Bake in a 350℉ oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly throughout.

unbaked tuna casserole with potato chips on top.

Avoid Mushy Pasta! Best GF Noodles and Tips

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Rummo gluten-free pasta is the best. It has a sturdier structure and if preventing a GF tuna casserole from becoming mushy is your goal, please try it. I haven’t seen it at stores, so I get mine off of Amazon or Vitacost in bulk.

If you want to grab a box from your local grocery store then I recommend Barilla gluten-free penne or elbows. I find Ronzoni to break down too easily, Banza has too strong of taste, and other brands are fine, but you have to make sure they are slightly undercooked because they fall apart easily.

Of course, an old fashioned style tuna bake uses egg noodles, which if you can find those in a GF version, great! I haven’t seen them in stores by me, but I’m sure if you can get them online. If you have a great brand you use, add it to the comments below!

🙌 Important Tip About Cooking GF Pasta! Anytime you bake a dish with gluten-free pasta, do not boil the noodles to fully cooked. Boiling for half the time called for al dente ensures the pasta doesn’t become mushy during baking.

Rinsing the noodles in cold water after boiling helps to stop the cooking. Otherwise they will steam and cook more while waiting to be mixed with other ingredients.

overhead shot of a serving of tuna casserole on a white plate

Alternative Toppings To Try

If you are wanting something a little different than tuna casserole with potato chips, use one of these alternative toppings.

  • Sprinkle on sharp cheddar, parmesan cheese, swiss, or colby to make an extra cheesy casserole.
  • In a small bowl mix together 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter.
  • Crushed GF crackers
  • Crispy gluten-free fried onions 
  • Make a combination! Add 1/2 cup grated cheese to bread crumbs, crackers, or fried onions
close up of casserole serving on a white plate with a fork going into it

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overhead shot of tuna casserole with a wooden spoon going into it
4.25 stars (28 ratings)

Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole with Potato Chips

Melissa Erdelac of MamaGourmand headshot in patterned dress.Melissa Erdelac
Yield: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Learn how to make an old Fashioned tuna casserole with crunchy potato chips just like Mom's! This retro, classic tuna noodle recipe with cheese has a creamy homemade sauce using no condensed soup and is easily adaptable to make gluten-free!
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Ingredients
 

Mushroom Sauce

Tuna Casserole

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray 9X13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Cook the gluten-free pasta in boiling water for half the amount of time called for al dente. Drain and briefly rinse noodles under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
    12 ounces gluten-free elbow or penne pasta

Mushroom Sauce

  • Melt the butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add the onions and mushrooms to the butter and sauté 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. 
    3 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ medium onion, 8 ounces fresh mushrooms
  • Add 2 cups milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire. Stir and bring to boil over medium heat. Meanwhile, whisk together the chicken broth with cornstarch in a small bowl.
    2 ½ cups milk (2% for richer flavor),, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup gluten-free chicken broth, 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • When the milk starts to boil, add the cornstarch / broth mixture and whisk to combine. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes, or until thick. Remove from heat and set aside. 

Tuna Casserole

  • In a large bowl combine cooked the pasta, ½ cup additional milk, drained tuna, peas, cheese, mayo, sour cream, chopped eggs, and mushroom sauce. Fold gently to combine. 
    (2) 5 ounce cans white Albacore tuna in water, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese, ⅓ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup sour cream, 2 (optional) hardboiled eggs
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with crushed potato chips. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with optional lemon wedges.
    1 cup crushed potato chips
Calories: 500kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 92mg, Sodium: 797mg, Potassium: 648mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 930IU, Vitamin C: 6.7mg, Calcium: 230mg, Iron: 2mg
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