25 Canned Tuna Recipes for Dinner
As a large family I am always on the hunt for inexpensive recipes that will stretch and feed seven plus people each night.
I love cooking from my pantry and that is why canned tuna recipes are so perfect. Tuna has a long shelf life and is very affordable and is a comfort food for many.
Personally, we love tuna noodle casserole and tuna patties. For a family my size I can make two or three cans of tuna go a long way.
What is the Healthiest Tuna to Buy
I prefer the White Albacore Tuna packed in water. I buy it at Sams in packs of eight. The brand is Members Mark. The ingredients are simple: tuna, water and salt. I always drain the water out.
Here is a list of the bulk grocery shopping that I do at Sams with price comparisons on what I pay. I only buy in bulk the things I am able to pray a lower price per unit for.
Can I Cook Canned Tuna
Yes! You can cook tuna from the can just like any other canned meat.
Add it to a casserole that you bake in the oven or a dish that you make on the stove top.
Or, eat tuna straight out of the can in a salad or sandwich.
Dinner Recipes Using Canned Tuna
Needing to cook from your pantry?
Bring flavorful comfort to the dinner table with this simple and delicious tuna casserole recipe. Ready in under an hour, this is a hearty dish.
A nostalgic dish made with tuna, egg noodles, and a creamy, homemade sauce. This filling and comforting casserole feeds up to eight and is ready in less than an 45 minutes.
This makes a delicious lunch or light dinner. The combination of tuna, avocado, and Caesar dressing are insanely good!
A lightened-up version of a traditional Cobb salad with tuna and a vinaigrette dressing.
This recipe is a super quick, easy, and healthy dinner idea! Adding a touch of mayo keeps these tuna cakes tender on the inside, yet crunchy and delicious on the outside… And did I mention they’re budget friendly?
This is made with high-protein, probiotic-rich yogurt, and anti-inflammatory wild-caught tuna fish and learn more about the nutrition benefits of cucumbers and why they make the perfect gluten-free sandwich alternative. Recipe options for the Paleo diet, Ketogenic diet and more included.
This is made with a rich and creamy homemade sauce, noodles, and just 1 can of tuna. It’s the ultimate single serving comfort food! Perfect for lunch!
Tuna Tomato Pasta Recipe: Rustic and Easy Dinner with a Touch of Elegance
I love how simple this is to make, yet it is a delicious and elegant meal. You'll never believe you're just cooking from your pantry.
Change up your boring tuna salad and add some flavor! This Mediterranean Tuna Salad is fresh, fabulous, and delicious!
A comforting, quick, nutritious, and budget friendly recipe idea, perfect for the changing seasons! Grab a fork and dig in, or enjoy it in a sandwich or with some chips and dip.
This recipe features canned tomatoes, tinned tuna, dried pasta & preserved capers.
An easy, delicious, and quick, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfectly cooked pasta or macaroni is tossed with solid white albacore tuna, sweet onion, peas, and a creamy mayo and sour cream dressing.
This is a fresh and bright way to use canned tuna. They feature a light tuna salad with a vibrant salsa and toasted tortilla base.
This recipe take only 15 minutes to put together without any cooking, and use mostly pantry ingredients. The flavor is out of this world delicious!
Transform cheesy tuna dip made with cream cheese into an ultimate comfort dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
A recipe made with peas, ghee, and coconut milk so that you can eat it on the paleo diet and on bread or sweet potato toast!
This Tuna Cannellini Bean Salad can be a side dish or a main meal using canned tuna. Tastes delicious, so prepare to make it on repeat!
This recipe is an easy pantry staple dinner you can whip up in less than an hour. It is great for meal prep and freezer friendly too.
Tuna Pasta Casserole is a family favorite! It’s a budget-friendly midweek dinner that’s packed full of vegetables and can be made ahead of time and frozen.
This creation takes such a little effort and it will be on the table in minutes, bursting with colors and flavor.
So simple, so easy and so good.
A unique way to enjoy a can of tuna. It’s amazing that a can of good tuna, ripe tomatoes, tender green beans, perfectly cooked eggs and potatoes, briny olives and a simple mustardy dressing can make one of the most flavorful and satisfying meals there is!
These are simple to make and full of flavor. This is one of the best appetizers to prepare from ingredients that are usually on hand.
Use halved avocados that are filled with tuna, then topped with crisp bacon and drizzled with Sriracha-mayonnaise. It’s an amazing easy low-carb lunch!
This is an all-time favorite tuna pasta recipes. Especially perfect for warmer weather. It can be served hot or cold and is perfect for picnics, barbecues or a quick comforting lunch or dinner.
These come together with some key items from your pantry. It's gluten free and dairy free and totally delicious.
What Can I Mix with Canned Tuna
Canned tuna is really a very versatile protein. I mix it with noodles, creamy soups (like cream of mushroom soup), cheese (cheddar or parmesan cheese) and veggies when I am making a casserole. Tuna pasta dishes are super easy and kids love them!
I will mix it with breadcrumbs, egg and lemon juice and make it into patties. Fry them in olive oil, coconut oil or canola oil. I love to serve these with green beans.
You can take those tuna patties and turn them into a tuna melt by putting a slice of cheese on it and putting it in between two slices of bread.
I will mix canned tuna with mayo, or other creamy refrigerator staples, when making a tuna salad sandwiches.
Each of these ideas are quick and easy and very budget friendly.
Is Tuna Good for You?
Tuna is high in protein, omega 3 fatty acids and amino acids. Tuna that is packed in water is the best tuna to purchase.
Albacore tuna is safe to eat and is our favorite.
How Often Do You Cook with Tuna
When we are being very frugal with our grocery budget, we cook 1-2 dinner meals a month using tuna.
Recipes on a Budget
If you’re on the hunt for inexpensive recipes to make for you family check out some of our favorites.
- Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken
- Cheap Chicken Recipes for a Large Family
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes
- Ground Sausage Recipes
Meal Planning on a Budget
Each week I create a meal plan for my large family and here are some of my most inexpensive plans.