14 Amazing Canned Tuna Recipes to Try

By Rosa L. • Feb 09, 2024

Quick, delicious, and affordable — don't underestimate the power of a can of tuna in your cupboard! This pantry staple can be used in a variety of ways to deliver a delicious dinner in no time and will help stretch your grocery budget as well! From classic melts to gooey bowls of pasta to crisp and cool salads... add one of these 14 Tuna Recipes to your weekly meal plan!

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#1. Classic Tuna Melt

Whether you're at the new bistro, your favorite diner, or making lunch at home, there's just something magical about the Classic Tuna Melt! The tuna is sweet and savory, elevated with tangy mayo and sour pickles, brightened with lemon juice and red onion, and all stacked on flavorful rye bread! Then it's toasted in butter so the bread is crisp and golden-brown and the cheese inside is melted... and voila! Lunchtime perfection! There's a reason the Classic Tuna Melt became a classic!

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#2. Tuna Tetrazzini

Tuna Tetrazzini takes the classic tuna casserole and elevates it to a new level! Tender spaghetti and chunks of savory tuna come together in a cloak of a sharp, creamy homemade cheese sauce with a dusting of zesty, spicy Cajun seasoning! Mmmm, you can smell the good times from here! Crunchy breadcrumbs make for a crisp topping to catapult this Tuna Tetrazzini into a quick and delectable dinner whenever you need it!

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#3. Classic Tuna Salad

You can’t go wrong with Classic Tuna Salad! Do you want it in a sandwich, on top of crackers, or draped over a salad? Go for it! Classic Tuna Salad is the right balance of sweet and savory so it goes well in almost any context! With notes of fattiness and citrus brightness, this is a refreshing lunchtime option!

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#4. Tasty Tuna Noodle Bake

If you are yearning for some comfort food that takes you back to your younger days, this casserole is a must. But Tasty Tuna Noodle Bake is not your typical tuna noodle bake so, you will be pleasantly surprised. Wide noodles are loaded with a creamy sauce, flaky tuna, and the surprise guest, cauliflower! Give Tasty Tuna Noodle Bake a first look and you will be asking for seconds in no time! This one is sure to win your heart!

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#5. MeMaw's Homemade Tuna Patties

MeeMaw just loves a good tuna burger, whether served on a bun or eaten like a crab cake. MeMaw's Homemade Tuna Patties are her favorite, a crispy on the outside, juicy and savory on the inside patty of seafood flavor. The interior is creamy, tangy, and with just a touch of sweetness for maximum satisfaction. MeMaw's Homemade Tuna Patties are fantastic as a lunch or dinner served alongside fries or a fresh salad. It certainly beats your typical tuna fish dish!

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#6. Creamy Tuna Mornay

When you can't decide whether it should be pasta night or seafood night, Creamy Tuna Mornay is the fusion you need! You get your bouncy penne pasta to satisfy that Italian craving and the tender, flaky tuna to curb the coastal one. And it's all delicious and ready in less than 35 minutes. It's a win-win-win-win! One more point goes to the crunchy, savory crumble sprinkled on top because it's just that good. Creamy Tuna Mornay makes dinnertime decision-making a little easier every time!

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#7. Avocado Tuna Salad

Fishin' for a low-carb, high-protein lunch to add to your tackle box of recipes?! Well, this Avocado Tuna Salad is about to lure you in! Your new afternoon go-to is swimming with a blend of land and sea, thanks to some flaky tuna, crispy cucumbers, and smooth avocado. It's not heavy, it's more on the citrusy side, so you won't feel like you're sinking, but rather, light enough to walk on water! Avocado Tuna Salad is a "reel" catch... and it's the catch of the day, some would say. So, go ahead and jump in for some delicious flavors!

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#8. Niçoise Salad

Niçoise Salad, or Salade Niçoise, is perhaps one of the most beloved summertime salads in the world. Seriously! Top chefs around the world find this French salad to be one of sumptuous and scrumptious quality. Simply put, it is a masterpiece of mixed flavors! How does Niçoise Salad accomplish this? By combining hard-boiled eggs, salty and savory tuna, hearty and fluffy potatoes, and juicy tomatoes all atop a bed of crisp lettuce, and then drizzled with a truly boisterous mix of sweet honey, sour mustard, and fragrant garlic. In other words, this salad feels like some of the best French cooking you've ever had in a single, refreshing dish. Time to grab a fork and dive in to find out what the hype is all about!

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#9. 1930s Tuna Noodle Casserole

Step back in time with the always classic 1930s Tuna Noodle Casserole! A blast from the past, it's a dish that's been enjoyed by families for generations. Featuring simple, pantry staples, this comforting casserole is the ultimate in homestyle cooking. Buttery noodles, tender tuna, and rich cream of celery soup combine to create a dish that's hearty and filling, yet still easy on the wallet. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a potluck with friends, 1930s Tuna Noodle Casserole is a true classic that never goes out of style.

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#10. Busy-Wife Melts

She's incredible, she's invincible, she's busy! Busy-Wife Melts are a lifesaving device to help the hecticness of mealtime melt away! When light tuna, chopped celery, cucumber, red onion, a little cheddar cheese, and a seasoned, creamy mayo come together broiled between ciabatta rolls, good things happen that make a wife very happy. In a pinch, Busy-Wife Melts help all the housewives and "househusbands" find a way to quickly help out when mealtime comes around! Did we mention she's incredible?!

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#11. Tuna Garden Casserole

What is a tuna garden? Thinking about that can take you to some funny places. But rather than imagining that, let's escape together to the Tuna Garden Casserole. It's a hidden gem of a dish, laden with lovely tuna and pasta wonders! Yum! There is melted cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs to make every bite that much more enchanting. Yep, the Tuna Garden Casserole is worth the trip, for sure. Won't you come along?!

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#12. Herbed Tuna Salad

If you're looking for a way to freshen up your lunch choices, this Herbed Tuna Salad is a must try! Loaded with that beloved, flaky tuna in the classic creamy sauce, the addition of herby seasonings elevates this one up just enough to keep things interesting. We love to serve it over a bed of crispy lettuce leaves next to some juicy tomatoes and refreshing cucumbers, but feel free to enjoy this Herbed Tuna Salad however you'd like! Don't get burnt out on boring flavors! There's always a way to make lunchtime more exciting again!

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#13. Seaside Tuna Pasta Salad

If you find yourself down by the seashore, or you're just dreaming you're there, Seaside Tuna Pasta Salad is a hearty, cool, and refreshing addition to your tropical feast! A delicious compliment to pretty much any meal, the tender pasta shells, hearty tuna, crunchy veggies, and creamy dressing tossed together will certainly enhance your tasty beachfront experience. Grab your flip flops and a fork; this Seaside Tuna Pasta Salad will have you beach-bound for some fun in the sun!

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#14. Perfect-Combo Egg Salad

The Perfect-Combo Egg Salad is the pairing of hard-boiled eggs and, get this, tuna! Yes, sweet and savory tuna adds another dimension to the classic creamy, tangy sandwich favorite! With pickles and mustard added for a wonderfully balancing tangy flavor, Perfect-Combo Egg Salad is just, well, perfect!

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