WW Recipe of the Day: Old-Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole Made Lighter
Today I'm dropping in with a comfort classic featuring pantry staples that can be assembled quickly. This quick and easy casserole features tuna, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup and peas, topped with a crunchy bread crumb topping.
Related: Easy Healthy Meals from the Pantry for Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers Friendly Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna Noodle Casserole is a simple dinner that's quick and budget-friendly, which is probably why it has stood the test of time. Casseroles such as this were very popular in the 1950s, primarily because they could be mostly made with inexpensive canned foods.
Tuna noodle casserole was rarely, if ever, on the menu in my house growing up. My mom wasn't a big tunafish fan.
Instead, I looked forward to it showing up for lunch in the school cafeteria and later in the hospital cafeteria, where I first worked after graduating from college.
Eventually I began making it for myself, trying out a wide range of variations, including slow cooker tuna noodle casserole, before finally settling on the classic Campbell's Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe.
I love recipes for casseroles because of their make-now, bake-later versatility. You can mix it together when you have a few minutes to spare, place it in the fridge, and just pop it into a preheated oven at dinner time.
While the casserole bakes you can prepare a quick salad, enjoy a glass of wine, or sneak in a few minutes of exercise.
Recipe Notes
I love this classic tuna noodle casserole so much, I'm not willing to mess with it too much, beyond the obvious steps to make it a little lighter, healthier and Weight Watchers friendly:
- I used Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom soup, which is lighter in fat, salt and calories.
- And I substituted Ronzoni garden delight tricolor penne pasta for egg noodles. noodles. Those following WW Purple Program can shave 2 Points per serving by opting for a whole grain pasta.
- To bulk it up further, you could always add more veggies, like defrosted chopped broccoli or sliced mushrooms.
- I also skipped mixing the bread crumbs with melted butter to shave away one SmartPoint.
What Can You Use Instead of Peas in Tuna Noodle Casserole?
If you are not a fan of peas you can simply leave them out of your casserole or substitute in another vegetable of your choice such as broccoli, cauliflower or carrots or a combination.
More Substitutions and Variations
No Noodles?
Any pasta will work: shells, bowties, elbows, ziti, penne, rotini, etc.
No Cream of Mushroom Soup?
Cream of celery soup is good. Or you can make your own homemade low calorie white sauce if you are feeling inspired.
Toppings:
Crushed cornflakes, crushed potato chips, french-fried onions, crushed cracker crumbs, shredded cheese (cheddar, American, Parmesan), Slivered almonds
Additions:
Worcestershire sauce, Old bay seasoning, salt, pepper, soy sauce, frozen peas & carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sliced mushrooms, hot sauce
Serving Suggestions
Served with a simple green salad and/or roasted carrots, it makes for a satisfying dinner.
How Many Calories and WW Points in This Casserole?
According to my calculations each serving has about 300 calories and:
6 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
4 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
4 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
7 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
If you like this lightened up recipe for classic tuna noodle casserole, be sure to check out my other Weight Watchers friendly casserole recipes including: Slow Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole, Easy Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice Casserole, Mom's Easy Alfredo Ravioli Casserole, Chicken & Biscuit Pot Pie, Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Casserole
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Campbell's Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole Made Lighter
Ingredients
- 10.75 ounces canned Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup
- ½ cup nonfat milk
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons chopped pimento (optional)
- 12 ounces canned water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
- 2 cups cooked egg noodles (I used 2 cups uncooked tricolor penne pasta instead)
- 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 1-½-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the soup, milk, peas, pimiento (if using), tuna, and noodles until well combined.
- Scrape mixture into your prepared casserole dish (affiliate link).
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of casserole and lightly spritz with cooking spray.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until heated through and lightly browned on top.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
No Peas?
If you are not a fan of peas, you can simply leave them out of your casserole or substitute in another vegetable of your choice such as broccoli, cauliflower or carrots or any combination. No Noodles?
Any pasta will work: shells, bowties, elbows, ziti, penne, rotini, etc. No Cream of Mushroom Soup?
Cream of celery soup is good. Or you can make your own homemade low calorie white sauce if you are feeling inspired. Toppings:
Crushed cornflakes, crushed potato chips, french-fried onions, crushed cracker crumbs, shredded cheese (cheddar, American, Parmesan), Slivered almonds Additions:
Worcestershire sauce, Old bay seasoning, salt, pepper, soy sauce, frozen peas & carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sliced mushrooms, hot sauce Serving Size: ¼th Recipe Click here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site. 6 *SmartPoints (Green plan) 4 *SmartPoints (Blue plan) 4 *SmartPoints (Purple plan) 7 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
More Easy, Healthy Tuna Casseroles Made Lighter
- Rockin' Tuna Noodle Casserole (HungryGirl)
- Skinny Alfredo Tuna Noodle Casserole (SkinnyKitchen)
- Speedy Tuna Noodle Skillet (HungryGirl)
- Whole Wheat Tuna Noodle Casserole (LaaLoosh)
Search For More Easy + Healthy WW Friendly Casseroles
Here's a video from The Campbell's Kitchen showing how easy this classic tuna casserole is to make...
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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Audrey
Martha, are the noodles measured before cooking or after cooking? If I understand correctly it appears to me that you cook noodles, then measure out 2 cups.
I love your website.
Thanks.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Audrey, Thanks for your kind words! Yes it's 2 cups of cooked noodles. -Martha
Debbie
Am I missing the serving size ?? I suppose I should be able to figure it out, but nope, I can't LOL........Thanks for your help....
Martha McKinnon
Hi Debbie, I've never actually measured it out! I just divide the casserole in 4 in my mind's eye and then scoop out that amount as one serving. The next time I make it I'll try to remember to measure it more accurately.
Jennifer Green
I was skeptical even as I made it. But it was fantastic! Thank you so much! 5 stars from me!
Debby
Tuna noodle casserole was a staple on our family dinner table when I was growing up. My family, however, refused to eat it. I made this recipe for myself today. Thanks for bringing this wonderful, tasty casserole back into my world. Love it!
Priscilla Corbett
I'm a diabetic and I need to know how many calories and serving size for a tuna noodle casserole. Please help
Martha McKinnon
Hi Priscilla, According to the recipe nutritional information 1/4th of the entire recipe has 300 calories. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Joan
I had everything to make this in my pantry. The kids loved it. Thanks!
Kelvin Benefield
After I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
Kim Whitney
So how many cups uncooked noodles for the recipe.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Kim, according to this handy chart, https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-much-pasta/, you need 2 cups uncooked noodles for 2 cups cooked.
Annie
Comfort food for an uncomfortable time
Rosa R
I’m lactose intolerant so is there anything else I can use for the canned soup?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Rosa,
I believe Amy's makes a canned vegan condensed mushroom bisque that would be dairy free. You could also make your own dairy free cream of mushroom soup like this one: https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/vegan-condensed-mushroom-soup-perfect-for-casseroles/