The 19¢ Meal That Saved Dinner (1940s Tuna Noodle Casserole)

Описание: What could you cook in the late 1940s for just 19 cents?

In this episode of Apaulo’s Diner, we step back into a post-war American kitchen to recreate a true budget legend – the 1940s tuna noodle casserole. A practical, protein-rich dinner built from pantry staples, condensed soup, canned tuna, and egg noodles - designed to stretch ingredients without sacrificing satisfaction.

This wasn’t food meant to impress.
It was food meant to solve a problem.

During the late 1940s, newspapers and home economics guides praised dishes like this as affordable, dependable family meals. With canned tuna becoming one of the most accessible protein sources and condensed cream soups transforming home cooking, casseroles like this became quiet kitchen heroes.

In this video, we recreate the classic version step by step:

Egg noodles
Condensed cream of mushroom soup
Canned tuna
Peas or celery
onion
Optional: cheddar (leaning into the early 1950s variation)
a proper crunchy topping - chips, breadcrumbs, or crackers

We also take a look at what these ingredients actually cost back then - and why this humble dish earned its reputation as “the meal that saved dinner.”

If you enjoy vintage recipes, mid-century cooking, and practical old-fashioned meals that still work today, you’re in the right place.

For more nostalgic classics, you might also enjoy:
• My Green Bean Casserole (with from-scratch mushroom sauce)
   • Green Bean Casserole from Scratch | THE Cl...  

• Classic 1950s Waldorf Salad
   • The Real 1950s Waldorf Salad – The Classic...  

• Original mid-century Chicken à la King
   • Chicken à la King – The Original Classic R...  

Subscribe for more vintage recipes, traditional cooking techniques, and timeless comfort food.

Welcome to Apaulo’s Diner.

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Chapter:

00:00 The 19¢ 1940s Tuna Casserole
01:44 Egg Noodles – A Post-War Pantry Staple
02:44 Cream of Mushroom Sauce Base
04:12 Canned Tuna – Budget Protein of the 1940s
05:31 Peas, Celery & Onion
06:51 Optional Cheddar (Early 1950s Upgrade)
07:53 Assembling the Tuna Noodle Casserole
09:00 Classic Crunchy Topping (Chips, Breadcrumbs or Crackers)
09:57 Baking at 375°F / 190°C
10:49 Does a 19¢ Tuna Casserole Still Work Today?

Music Credits 🎶 :

admirat_64kb - archive.org/details/Free_20s_Jazz_Collection - Public Domain
Jane Street - TrackTribe - YouTubeAudioLibrary
Walk through the Park - TrackTribe - YouTubeAudioLibrary
A Brand New Start -TrackTribe - YouTubeAudioLibrary

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This video includes historical footage sourced from archive.org, all of which is in the public domain.