Learn how to reheat tuna noodle casserole for the best results without using a microwave. Follow these easy steps to enjoy delicious and evenly heated classic recipe every time.

Why you will love this post

When you take the time to prepare nourishing food such as this easy tuna casserole recipe, storing it and reheating it properly is equally important. Find out how long tuna pasta bake lasts in the fridge so your leftovers have the best flavor.

This is all the more important because reheating casseroles can be tricky, as the wrong method can lead to uneven heating, dried-out food, or lacking nutrients.

Fortunately, there are a few easy and effective ways to reheat tuna casserole without a microwave to ensure it stays moist and delicious.

In this post, you will find the best methods for reheating tuna casserole and easy tips and tricks to help you get perfectly heated leftovers every time.

Why I don't recommend microwave

While the microwave might seem like the quickest and easiest way to reheat your delicious tuna casserole, there are better options. That's because microwaving can sometimes cause a dry casserole and make it unevenly heated.

But more importantly, microwaving food, though generally considered safe, comes with some health concerns. The high temperatures used in the microwave can destroy certain nutrients and enzymes in the food, which may affect nutritional value. (source)

Plus, microwave ovens use radiation to warm food; therefore, they can emit potentially harmful radiation if concentrated in one area for extended periods. (source)

Of course, the choice is yours, but if you want to enjoy your tuna casserole at its best, it's better to use other reheating methods like the stovetop, oven, Instant pot, or air fryer.

These methods allow for more even heating and help retain the casserole's moisture and texture. Plus, these unconventional heating methods ensure you get the maximum nutrition from this classic comfort food.

💭Pro tip: For more information on traditionally prepared foods, read this introductory post on what nourishing foods mean and what it doesn't.

How to reheat tuna casserole instead

There are four main ways to reheat tuna casserole for best results: on the stovetop, traditional oven, Instant Pot, and air fryer.

For all methods, start by taking the leftover tuna casserole out of the fridge and allow it first to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help the dish to heat more evenly and prevent it from sticking to the pan.

From there, follow these specific steps for each of those methods:

Stovetop

This is an easy and quick way to reheat individual servings of tuna noodle casserole.

1. Place a large, deep skillet or saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
2. Add a splash of milk, broth, or water to the pan and let it steam a little.
3. Once the liquid is hot, add a small portion of tuna casserole to the pan. Cover and reduce heat to low.
4. Stir the casserole occasionally as it heats up. Add more liquid as needed to keep the casserole moist and prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
5. Heat the casserole for 5-10 minutes or until it is hot throughout.

Traditional oven

The oven is an excellent reheating method that is ideal for larger amounts. This especially works if your leftover tuna casserole is already in an oven-safe glass container or baking dish.

1. Transfer the tuna casserole to an oven-safe baking dish.
2. Cover with a lid or parchment paper and aluminum foil to prevent the casserole from drying out.
3. Warm the casserole dish in an unpreheated oven set to 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes or until it is warm all the way through.
4. Once warmed through, remove the parchment paper and foil and broil on low for a few minutes to brown the tops.

💭Pro tip: I have reheated food in the oven numerous times and have found that it is not necessary to reheat food in a preheated hot oven. The preheating will gently warm up the food anyways. 

Instant Pot (or pressure cooker)

Reheating your casserole in the Instant Pot is a great way to ensure a perfectly warmed-through tuna pasta bake without moisture loss. This method is also excellent when you don't have time to stand watch. You can just set it and forget it.

1. Place the trivet into the inner pot of your Instant Pot and pour 1 cup of water.
2. If you still need to, ensure the tuna casserole is in a glass dish and place this dish on top of the trivet.
3. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and make sure the steam release valve is set to the "sealing" position.
4. Press the "manual" button and reduce the time to 0 minutes. Yes, zero minutes!
5. When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve to the "venting" position.
6. Open the lid and carefully remove the tuna casserole dish from the Instant Pot using oven mitts or tongs.

Air Fryer

Lastly, you can effortlessly reheat any casserole leftovers in an air fryer. The cook time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and whether or not you have a toaster-oven convection air fryer like I do or a basket-type air fryer.

The method is very similar to that of a traditional oven.

1. Ensure the tuna casserole is in an oven-safe dish that will fit your air fryer. If the casserole is thick, you may need to break it up so that it heats more evenly.
2. Cover the dish with a lid or parchment paper and foil.
3. Place the dish in an unpreheated air fryer set to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
4. Once warmed through, remove the dish from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

💭Make it Nutrient-Dense: If using aluminum foil to create a cover or lid, create a barrier between your food and tin foil using parchment paper.

Helpful Tools & Links

Below are some affiliate links that may be helpful to you as you make this recipe. You can find some of these items cheaper at your local store, but having a link helps you know what you're looking for.

• Stovetop reheating: stainless steel skillet with lid, small saucepan
• Pressure cooker reheating: Instant Pot with trivet, fitted glass containers (avoid using the plastic covers during reheating).
• Oven and Airfryer reheating: convection-type air fryer, covered baking dish, oven-safe glass container (remove the plastic lids before reheating), parchment paper

Serving Suggestions

Now that you have a good old fashioned tuna noodle casserole recipe under your belt, you've learned how long it lasts in the fridge, and now you have these easy tricks to reheat it properly - all that's left is to serve it to make it shine.

You can either make something a little more involved (since reheating is easy) like this harvest kale salad or keep it simple and pair it with roast broccoli or tomato cuke salad.

Leftover casserole pairing suggestions

FAQs

Looking for more related recipes? Here are some ideas:

Looking for information on how long does tuna casserole last in the fridge? This post covers everything you need to know to keep your leftovers safe and delicious. Let's enjoy that comfort food for as long as we can.

Why proper food storage is important

Food quality: Proper food storage helps to preserve the quality and freshness of food, which can affect taste, texture, and nutritional value.

Reduce food waste: When food is not stored correctly, it can spoil quickly, leading to food waste. And food waste inevitably means wasting money.

Save money: By storing food properly, you can extend its shelf life, reducing the need to buy new groceries frequently. This can lead to significant savings in the long run. And when you're using wholesome ingredients like wild tuna and gluten-free egg noodles, the price of your meals may already be higher than conventional food.

Food safety: When food is not stored properly, it can quickly become a breeding ground for viruses, pathogenic bacteria, and other microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses. And that's not fun for anyone.

💭Pro tip: Avoid food waste - learn proper food storage. According to USDA, it is estimated that between 30-40% of all food supply goes to food waste. (source)

Storage Instructions

Here are some steps to properly store leftover tuna casserole:

1. Cool down completely: Before storing your tuna casserole, cool it to room temperature. This helps prevent bacteria growth and prevents moisture from accumulating in the container.
2. Use an airtight container: Transfer the tuna casserole to a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. This helps to keep out air, which can cause the food to spoil quickly.
3. Label and date: Labeling the container with the name and date of preparation is essential. This helps you track when the food was made and ensure that you use it before it goes bad.
4. Refrigerate promptly: Transfer the container of tuna casserole to the refrigerator as soon as possible. Ideally, it should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. The recommended temperature for refrigerators is 40°F or below.

This brings us to the most essential part of this informative post:

How long does tuna casserole last in the fridge

The precise answer depends on a few factors, such as the ingredients used and how the casserole is stored. But generally, you can store homemade tuna casserole in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, provided you use the above storage instructions.

It is important to note that as time goes on, the quality and taste of the tuna casserole may begin to deteriorate, and the risk of food poisoning increases.

The exact lifespan of your tuna casserole will depend on various factors, such as the temperature of your fridge and the quality of the ingredients used.

Therefore, if you are unsure about the freshness or safety of your leftover tuna casserole, it is better to err on the side of caution and discard it.

💭Pro tip: It's important to note that the 3-4 day guideline is just an estimate and should be used as a general rule of thumb. 

Best storage containers for leftover casserole

DO use these containers:

Glass containers with airtight lids are generally oven-safe and can go straight from fridge to oven. They also do not absorb odors and flavors from the food. I love these fantastic baking glass dishes.

Ceramic or stoneware dishes with lids are another great oven-safe option. These are excellent because they provide even heat distribution, which can help prevent hot spots and burn casseroles.

Stainless steel containers with lids are lightweight, durable, and do not break like glass or ceramic. They are dishwasher-safe and an excellent option for storing casserole dishes.

DO NOT use these containers:

I recommend against using a plastic container to store tuna casserole as it may absorb food flavors and the possibility of chemicals leaching into your food during microwave reheating. (source)

Silicone containers are an easy, lightweight option for storage, but I would avoid reheating the tuna casserole in it as we still don't know the long-term health effects of cooking in silicone.

Can you freeze tuna pasta bake?

Tuna casserole freezes wonderfully in a freezer-safe container. However, keep in mind; freezing can affect the texture and quality of the casserole.

After you follow steps 1-3 above, follow these additional tips for the best way to freeze tuna casserole:

1. Allow to cool
2. Use airtight containers
3. Label and date
4. Freeze promptly: Put the container in the freezer as soon as possible. Ideally, freeze the casserole within two hours of cooking. Use freezer-safe containers and transfer to heavy-duty freezer bags for the best quality and to avoid freezer burn.
5. Use within 2-3 months: You can store tuna casserole in the freezer for up to three months. After that, the quality and texture may start to deteriorate.
6. Thaw properly: Thaw the tuna casserole in the refrigerator overnight when ready to eat. Reheat it in the oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

💭Pro-tip: Transfer leftover tuna casserole into a small portion for individual servings and freeze. You'll have an easy and quick lunch the next time you want to indulge in this tuna pasta bake.

Leftover Casserole Serving Suggestions

This easy tuna noodle casserole is excellent when freshly served on the same day. But with proper storage, you can still enjoy a delicious dish for easy and perfect lunch the next day or even dinner.

Pair this classic tuna casserole with these easy options like sauteed green beans or avocado cabbage slaw to elevate a balanced meal.

Leftover tuna casserole pairing suggestions

FAQs

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