I'm not wild about fish myself, but this tuna noodle casserole is a favorite in our house, as is its sister recipe, salmon casserole. My mom wasn't fond of fish, so she would disguise it in various casseroles or breading. It was developed by a franchisee who noticed that hamburger sales dropped dramatically on Fridays. The crunch from the topping and fresh bite from the parsley create the perfect balance.
The sauce is rich and creamy but not overwhelmingly heavy. The McDonalds Filet-o-Fish sandwich resulted from Catholics observing meatless Fridays. This tuna noodle casserole is the best with a classic creamy taste from my childhood. Though the Vatican II modification brought with it the option to choose to perform penance in other ways, many Catholics continue to observe meatless Fridays. Abstaining from it once a week was a form of penance intended to remind one of the sacrifices made by Christ, and the poverty he lived in during his time on earth. What toppings can be put on tuna noodle casserole For this recipe, I used original ritz crackers because they are crunchy, salty, and buttery. Meat was considered an indulgence for those with wealth. Sprinkle the ritz cracker topping over the casserole and bake at 350F. It is quick and easy to prepare as well, and will have dinner on the table in well under an hour. It is packed with egg noodles, tuna fish, veggies, all in a creamy white sauce then topped with cheese and a buttery Ritz cracker topping. Catholics were never required to eat fish on Fridays, but rather were asked to abstain from meat from warm blooded animals. This tuna noodle casserole is one of those classic recipes that your family will be asking for again and again.