Tuna lovers, gather ’round! We’re about to unlock the ridiculously delicious potential of canned tuna.
Think you know tuna? Think again.
These recipes are simple, amazing, and will have you looking at that can in a whole new light.
1. Tuna Macaroni Salad
Who else grew up with this classic? Tuna macaroni salad has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember.
There’s just something about that creamy texture with a mild tang that creates a perfect balance of flavors. It just hits right every time.
And because it’s absolutely loaded with elbow macaroni, you know it’s going to be a home run for feeding a crowd!
2. Canned Tuna Fish Tacos
I cannot get enough of fish tacos. Just one bite and I am completely hooked! Get it?
When you think of fish tacos, you might imagine deep-fried battered fish, right? Well, this recipe flips the script. It calls for sauteed canned tuna instead, and it’s every bit as spectacular.
Every single part of these tacos is pure heaven, from the shell and the tuna filling to the sour cream and cilantro-onion topping!
3. Tuna Chowder
Is there anything better than a creamy and chunky chowder at the end of a long day? I know I’m always down for it. With this dish, you get chunks of tuna, cheese, corn, and potatoes swimming in an ultra-creamy broth, all in one bowl!
Nothing says hearty and comfy quite like a beautiful bowl of chowder. It’s the very essence of comfort food.
4. Tuna White Bean Salad
This one is a major win for all the health buffs out there. This salad is high in flavor but low in calories. It’s pretty much every weight watcher’s dream!
You can make your tuna salad extra special with some nutty, earthy white beans. Just dress it with olive oil and lemon juice, and you are good to go. With this dish, you get a full tummy without an ounce of guilt.
5. Asian Tuna Melt Nachos
Nachos are a huge favorite in our house, especially on game nights. I usually go for pulled pork or ground beef, but once in a while, I’ll change things up and top them with tuna.
To make these nachos on the healthier side, you can totally skip the mayo. The tuna is loaded with cheese anyway, so you really don’t even need it.
6. Tuna Lasagna
I’ve been making lasagna pretty much since I learned how to cook, and I just love how many variations there are. I normally use beef, but from time to time, I’ll make it with canned tuna. Why? Because it’s awesome, that’s why.
I like to call this my “emergency lasagna recipe.” I make it whenever the family is craving lasagna but all I have on hand is tuna. Luckily, we all absolutely love it.
7. Tuna Melt
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when a recipe says “melt?” YEP: CHEESE.
Take any kind of bread you love, toast it, and slather on some tuna salad. Top that with a slice or two of juicy tomatoes and your favorite cheese, and I mean tons and tons of it.
Just pop it in the oven and watch as all that cheese melts into ooey-gooey goodness. Yum!
8. Tuna Casserole
Who doesn’t love a classic, hearty casserole? This dish features perfectly chewy egg noodles in a buttery sauce, all finished with a crunchy panko-parmesan topping.
In short, it’s just downright delicious. This is comfort food that anyone would devour any time, any day.
And the best part? You can make it, freeze it, and pop it in the oven the next day. It’ll taste just as fantastic.
9. Tuna Stuffed Avocados
Hey there, millennials! I’ll bet you’re going to love this dish. I know I do.
The idea is so simple: fill avocados with tuna. But somehow, it tastes like a million bucks! (I’m pretty sure there’s a hip restaurant out there offering this dish for that much.)
The combination of creamy, nutty avocado and umami-rich tuna is pure perfection. Not to mention, it’s also very nutritious. It’s a win-win.
10. Tuna Dip
Hosting a brunch tomorrow? Then you absolutely have to whip up this dip! Serve this hors d’oeuvre, and you’ll surely impress your friends. No one has to know it only takes four ingredients and five minutes to make.
Cream cheese, dijon mustard, lemon, and canned tuna are all you need for this irresistible dip. It’s so good, you might just want to eat it on its own!
11. Canned Tuna Pasta
Is there nothing left in your pantry but canned tuna and pasta? This dish has your dinner totally covered. Not only is this recipe delicious and affordable, but it also comes together in just minutes. It’s just the thing for those lazy evenings.
This dish is basically olive oil, garlic, tuna, and pasta. It really is as easy as one, two, three!
12. Tuna Deviled Eggs
It’s time to take two favorite classics and marry them into one stunning appetizer. Deviled eggs, meet tuna salad.
It’s a simple mash-up that hits all the right notes and is such a genius idea! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. This is definitely going into my regular rotation for parties.
13. Nicoise Salad
You have to love how the French make everything sound so fancy.
It might seem intimidating, but Nicoise salad is actually rustic and so easy to put together. It’s really just a mix of potatoes, beans, olives, tomato, lettuce, olive oil, hard-boiled eggs, and a zippy lemon dressing.
Of course, this salad is made even nicer by tossing in some canned tuna. Bon appetit!
14. Tuna Patties
Is your kid having a slumber party? This dish is such an excellent choice for those picky eaters. We all know kids love hamburgers, but fish? Not always a fan.
Here’s a solution: turn that canned tuna into yummy patties and just watch as they gobble them up in minutes! They’ll never know what hit them.
15. Tuna Wrap
If you loved the lettuce wrap idea, here’s another version you’ll surely enjoy. You can add so much more flavor and crunch to your tuna salad by mixing it with raisins, parsley, and walnuts.
Let’s take this dish up a notch, shall we? Wrap that bad boy in a spinach and flour tortilla and BOOM, you’ve got a scrumptious and nutritious treat.
16. Tuna Stuffed Baked Potatoes
What do you make when all you have left are potatoes and canned tuna? This dish, that’s what.
Take a potato, hollow out the center, and stuff it with tuna, corn, and some sun-dried tomatoes. Top it all off with cheese and let the oven do its magic.
It really couldn’t get any easier than that. This is weeknight winning right here.
17. Tuna Pizza
Calling all pizza lovers: this dish is going to be your new favorite. The great thing about making pizza at home is you get to choose all the toppings.
In this recipe, you’ll use canned tuna. It’s absolutely spectacular, not to mention affordable!
All you need is store-bought pizza dough, creamy tuna salad, and of course, cheese. Once it’s all assembled, let the oven do the rest.
18. Baked Sweet Potato Tuna Risotto
With just a can of tuna and some sweet potatoes, you can turn a fancy Italian dish into a rustic dinner. I used to think risotto required master-level cooking skills. I never imagined I could make it myself!
This simple risotto recipe only takes 15 minutes of hands-on prep and a bunch of pantry staples you probably have. It’s seriously impossible to mess up!
The result is a hearty Italian dish that even a top chef wouldn’t say no to. That might be an exaggeration, but you get my point!
19. Baked Tuna Meatballs
Move over, pork and beef, tuna is the star of these meatballs. They’re flavored with aromatic garlic and onion and then baked to golden perfection.
This recipe even sneaks in a little bit of spinach, but don’t worry, the kids won’t mind it one bit. The best part is that it’s all done in 30 minutes. Weeknight dinner goals!
20. Lemon Garlic Tuna Cake
Tuna for dessert? No, thank you! It’s a good thing this tuna cake isn’t one. Instead, it’s a savory patty!
Seasoned with lemon zest and garlic, this cake is savory, not sweet. It’s also coated with breading for that perfectly crispy crust. Paired with a creamy aioli sauce, this dish makes one stunning appetizer.
21. Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Peppers stuffed with tuna might not be a big hit with the kids, but the adults will definitely love it. Bell peppers are the perfect vessel to hold that rich tuna salad.
The sweetness and crunch from the pepper wonderfully complement the rich and briny tuna. This is healthy eating that doesn’t feel like a punishment.
22. Tuna Salad
Ah, the classic tuna salad. It’s light, creamy, and uber-tasty. This is one of those guilt-free dishes you can have again and again. You won’t even need to break the bank to make this one.
With just canned tuna, mayonnaise, red onion, and celery, you’re done! It’s a money-saving dish that is sure to satisfy your taste buds and your tummy.
23. Rice Paper Tuna Salad Roll
I am such a fan of fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, and if all I have in my pantry is canned tuna, that is perfectly fine with me. It’s definitely not your traditional spring roll, but hey, it works!
This is another amazing way to eat your tuna salad with a twist. I just love the texture of rice paper with the tuna! I would eat it in one bite if I could.
24. Tuna Melt Crescent Ring
Let’s level up your tuna melt by baking it right into the bread. Making a crescent ring isn’t always super easy, but it is so worth it! The bread is soft and fluffy, and that tuna stuffing makes it next-level awesome.
Tuna stuffing is usually dressed in mayo, but this recipe switches things up with a lemon dill sauce. I love how the tangy flavor complements the briny tuna!
25. Tuna Pot Pie
Pot pies are usually stuffed with chicken or beef. But this time, tuna gets the spotlight. Imagine a flaky and buttery pie crust filled with tuna stuffing and crunchy veggies. How amazing does that sound?
All you have to do is bake, slice, and enjoy pure comfort. This is a game-changer for pot pie night.
26. Tuna Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese is the quintessential American comfort food. If you’re on a diet but just can’t shake that craving, here’s the perfect solution: tuna and cauliflower.
Tuna gives the classic mac and cheese a unique twist, with the briny flavor pairing wonderfully with the richness of the dish.
Swapping some of the pasta for cauliflower lessens the carbs without sacrificing any flavor. Who ever said healthy food has to be boring?
27. Tuna Casserole Stuffed Shells
Give your tuna casserole an Italian twist with pasta shells! This dish features al dente pasta shells stuffed with a ridiculously rich tuna filling. The secret here is cream of mushroom soup. It makes that humble canned tuna extra creamy and oh-so-addictive!
Pop it in the oven, and in less than 20 minutes, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing weeknight meal. It’s that simple.
28. Tuna Lettuce Wraps
Creamy tuna salad wrapped in lettuce is a super-satisfying dish that’s also guilt-free at the same time. The combo of crunchy lettuce and that creamy tuna salad creates a beautiful medley of flavors and textures that you just can’t get enough of.
You can coat the tuna with dijon mustard or mayo for more flavor, or you can just eat it as is. You do you!