Mom’s Tuna Rice Casserole
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This is the tuna rice casserole recipe that Mom always made. It’s flavorful, creamy, cozy, easy to make, and the buttered bread crumbs are the best things on earth.
This tuna rice casserole has been a family staple for decades, and for good reason. The creamy sauce coats the rice and tuna, making every bite cozy and comforting, while the buttered croutons on top add just the right amount of crunch. The contrast between creamy and crispy makes this dish hard to resist.
I make the sauce by thickening milk with cornstarch, which is simpler than the classic butter-and-flour method and works just as well. A bonus: this makes it easy to keep the casserole gluten-free by using gluten-free croutons. (Though I won’t lie — those big, golden croutons in the photos are sourdough, and they’re delicious.)
Tuna rice casserole variations
While I love this tried-and-true recipe, switching it up can be fun. Here are a few ideas:
- Instead of canned tuna – use canned salmon.
- Instead of peas – use broccoli or mixed frozen veggies.
- Instead of cheddar cheese – try spicy jack cheese.
How to freeze tuna casserole
This is a great meal-prep/freezer recipe. Assemble the casserole, then let it cool completely. (It will be warm from cooking the sauce.)
Once it’s cool, wrap it with parchment paper, then again with aluminum foil. It will keep well for 3 months in your freezer.
To reheat the tuna casserole, let it thaw overnight in your fridge before popping it into your oven.
Mom’s Tuna Rice Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 3 ½ cups milk (divided)
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 2 cups grated aged cheddar cheese
- 3 cans of tuna (use the juice!)
- 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- 4 cups large croutons
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 cups frozen peas (thawed)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the rice and stock to a medium-sized pot over high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the casserole.2 cups basmati rice, 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- Heat 3 cups of the milk in a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Once it is hot, but not boiling, mix the remaining ½ cup of milk with the cornstarch and add it to the pot. Whisk it continuously while it thickens then remove the pot from the heat.3 ½ cups milk, ⅓ cup cornstarch
- Add the cheese and whisk until it melts. Stir in the tuna and the juice from the cans. Season with salt and pepper.2 cups grated aged cheddar cheese, 3 cans of tuna, 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- In a large bowl, mix the croutons with the melted butter.4 cups large croutons, 3 tablespoons butter
- Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of a 9×11″ casserole dish. Top with half the rice, half of the sauce, and half of the peas. Repeat once more then top with the buttered croutons.2 cups frozen peas
- Bake the tuna casserole for 20-25 minutes, or until the croutons are crispy and browned and the casserole is bubbling at the edges.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Hey…I halved this recipe and couldn’t get the milk / cornstarch to thicken. How long should that take?
It should thicken almost immediately. If it is cooked too long, cornstarch will actually become thin again.
Am I the only one seeing the title of tuna and rice casserole but in the ingredients it lists three cups of chicken? lol
Chicken or vegetable stock!
I love this. My mom always made tuna rice, but with a can of cream if soemthing soup. I cant gave dairy now so I made this with unsweetened oat milk, I also used soya sauce instead of salt, and skipped the cheese. It tastes just the way my mother made it. I made my own bread crumbs and added summer savory yo them for a more savory touch. Thanks so much
My mom made her’s with rice too. I made this but used flour instead of cornstarch and it worked well. Thank you for reminding me of mom!
That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you!
I wanted to make Mom’s tuna rice casserole, but I had no idea what temperature to bake it at?
Sorry about that! 375 degrees. 🙂