Salmon Noodle Casserole Recipe

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

40 mins

Total Time:

55 mins

Servings:

6

Hearty and filling yet also fresh and bright, this salmon noodle casserole is perfect for those in-between weather days when you're craving comfort food but don't want to feel weighed down by a rich, heavy dish. Consider it a lighter take on tuna noodle casserole, featuring fresh salmon, herbs, and lemon. We use curly cavatappi pasta, cooking it just until al dente and tossing in frozen peas at the very end of the cooking to help them thaw. Then, we make a quick milk sauce to combine with the pasta, chunks of salmon, and bright accompaniments like dill, scallions, and lemon zest, Transfer to a baking dish and pop it in the oven, bake, and enjoy.

Ingredients for Salmon Noodle Casserole

Salmon: Unlike a traditional tuna casserole, this recipe calls for fresh salmon, which is cut into chunks and baked along with the other ingredients. Both farmed and wild salmon will work equally well here. If you can't find fresh salmon, swap in two (drained) 5-ounce cans of cooked salmon instead.
Cavatappi pasta: We love using cavatappi noodles for this recipe because of their hollow centers, which are perfect for catching the creamy sauce. If you can't find cavatappi, substitute ziti, fusilli, rigatoni, or small shells.
Frozen peas: We couldn't resist adding the ubiquitous green peas to this take on tuna noodle casserole. Adding them to the pasta water right before draining thaws them just enough while still ensuring they retain their bright color and snappy pop.
Scallions and dill: Chopped scallions and dill keep this casserole feeling bright and springlike. While we'd recommend keeping the scallions in for their oniony bite, you can swap in another tender herb for the dill such as parsley, chives, or tarragon if you prefer.

Make Ahead

This casserole recipe can be assembled up to 1 day ahead of time. After transferring mixture to a baking dish in step 3, cover and refrigerate. When baking the next day, you may need to add a few minutes of cook time to ensure the salmon is cooked through and the casserole is hot throughout.

Directions

Cook pasta, adding frozen peas before draining:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water 4 minutes less than instructed on pasta package. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Add peas and drain immediately.
Make sauce:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add flour; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in milk. Gently simmer, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 7 minutes.
Combine all ingredients and transfer to a baking dish:

Combine pasta mixture, milk sauce, salmon, lemon zest, scallions, dill, and reserved pasta water in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer to casserole dish, cover, and bake:

Transfer to a 2 1/2-quart baking dish. Cover with parchment-lined foil; bake until salmon is just opaque, 20 to 25 minutes.
Serve:

Serve, with lemon wedges, more scallions and dill, and breadcrumbs.

Storage

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container or cover baking dish tightly with plastic wrap before storing.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers in the oven, bake casserole, covered, at 350° until hot throughout, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, cover casserole portion(s) with a plate and microwave until hot, 1 to 2 minutes.

Other Casserole Recipes to Try:

Frequently Asked Questions

What side dish should I pair with a baked casserole?

A great side dish for a baked casserole is a crisp, green salad. To echo the springy feeling of this recipe, consider tossing in some radishes, snap peas, or thinly sliced fennel with the greens. Finish it off with a light dressing, such as store-bought Italian or a combination of lemon juice and olive oil.
Why do noodle casseroles come out soft and mushy?

Noodle casseroles tend to come out soft and mushy when the pasta is boiled for too long before baking. Be sure to shave a few minutes off of the recommended cook time on the package—the noodles should be quite al dente but not hard and crunchy.
How can I remoisten leftover casserole?

To moisten leftover casserole before reheating it, you can add a splash of water or broth. This will keep it as moist as the day you made it. Covering the casserole as it reheats can also keep it from drying out.