42 Simple Canned Tuna Recipes That You Can Serve For Dinner
Canned tuna is a pantry staple, and it’s also one of the most versatile ingredients you can have in your kitchen.
You can use it to make light and healthy salads, or turn it into a hearty and filling meal.
We’ve got over 40 delicious dinner ideas that will take that can of tuna and turn it into a family friendly meal!
Who has time to make a complicated dinner recipe after a long day of work?
We all know that cooking a healthy meal can be hard, but it’s especially tough when you’re tired after work.
These easy canned tuna dinner recipes are the answer.
These recipes are easy to follow and only require a few ingredients. Plus, canned tuna is affordable and convenient, making it a great choice in the meal planning rotation.
What goes well with canned tuna?
Canned tuna is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.
- One simple way to dress up canned tuna is to mix it with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and chopped celery or onions. This creates a delicious tuna salad that can be served on salads, in sandwiches, or as a standalone dish.
- For a quick and easy meal, try pairing canned tuna with pasta. Add a little olive oil, some chopped garlic, and a handful of your favorite vegetables for a healthy and delicious meal.
- If you’re looking for something a little heartier, try using canned tuna to make a fishcake. Combine the tuna with potatoes, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and then fry until golden brown.
Serve with a dipping sauce or tartar sauce for an extra bit of flavor. - Canned tuna can also be used to make a flavorful salad. Simply combine the tuna with some diced vegetables, olives, and dressing for a light and refreshing meal.
- Another option is to use canned tuna to make fish tacos. Simply combine the tuna with some shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, and avocado, then serve in soft tortillas.
- For a heartier meal, try tuna pasta. Tuna pairs well with tomato sauce, so start by sautéing some garlic in olive oil.
Then, add a can of diced tomatoes and tuna to the pan and simmer until everything is heated through.
Serve over cooked pasta for a satisfying meal.
How can I make canned tuna taste better?
If you’re like most people, you probably have a few cans of tuna in your pantry for those days when you need a quick and easy meal.
However, canned tuna can be a bit bland and boring.
Luckily, there are a few simple tips that can help to elevate the flavor of your canned tuna.
First, be sure to drain the tuna and discard the watery liquid that it’s packed in. This will help to remove any excess saltiness.
Next, add some flavorful ingredients such as diced onion, chopped celery, or a dollop of mayonnaise. These will help to give the tuna some added flavor and texture.
Finally, be sure to season your tuna with salt and pepper before enjoying.
Pro Tip: If using tuna for kids’ meals, try mixing the tuna with less mayonnaise and add in applesauce. It creates a light and sweet-tasting tuna that is really delicious!
Simple Canned Tuna Dinner Ideas
If you are anything like us, having some simple canned tuna recipes on hand is a must. Canned tuna is cheap and you can make a variety of different canned tuna recipes for dinner.
I’m not talking about your typical canned tuna recipes like tuna helper or tuna salad either.
I’m talking about simple canned tuna recipes that will take your traditional pantry staple and dress it up into a delicious pantry meal that is easy and affordable.
1. Seasoned and Crusted Tuna Cakes – Easy and delicious, these tuna cakes have a delicious crust that brings even more flavor to the table.
2. Tuna Melt Sliders – Stuffed with homemade tuna salad and cheese, these sliders are glazed with a garlic butter sauce.
3. Tuna Noodle Casserole – Made from scratch, with a homemade sauce, this tuna noodle casserole is an easy weeknight dinner dish.
4. Canned Tuna Pasta – Easy to make, this canned tuna pasta is made with a homemade sauce that brings it all together.
5. Chili Lime Tuna Fishcakes – Baked in the oven, these fishcakes are gluten-free and delicious.
6. Tuna Potato Salad – A filling meal everyone will enjoy, this tuna potato salad is filling and delicious.
7. Asparagus Tuna Salad – Add a little extra flavor to your lunch or dinner with this asparagus and tuna salad.
8. Tuna Thai Curry – Gluten-free and full of flavor, this tuna Thai curry is served over cauliflower rice for a filling dinner.
9. Tuna Sardine Salad – Tuna and sardines are combined to create this healthy tuna sardine salad.
10. Mediterranean Salad with Tuna & Lemon Dressing – Easy to make and quick to throw together this salad is tossed with a lemon dressing that is sure to delight.
11. Japanese Fried Tuna Rice Balls – Served with a wasabi orange sauce, these fried tuna rice balls are delicious.
12. Tuna Pies – These Filipino pies are mixed with mayonnaise, tuna, and mixed vegetables for a filling tuna dinner recipe.
13. Instant Pot Tuna Casserole – Save some time by making tuna casserole in the instant pot.
14. Cheesy Tuna Pasta – Cheesy and delicious, this pasta is made with canned tuna and tons of cheese.
15. Tuna Egg Scramble – Love tuna and breakfast? Combine the two and have this tuna egg scramble for dinner.
Easy Tuna Recipes
16. Spicy Tuna Lettuce Wraps – With a little heat from some habanero peppers, these spicy tuna wraps are delicious.
17. Tuna Egg Salad – If you are looking for a light and healthy tuna dinner idea, this tuna egg salad is a must-try.
18. Avocado Tuna Salad Sub – Kick up your tuna salad by adding avocado, cilantro, and a homemade mayo for this tasty sub.
19. Spinach Tuna Melt – If you are looking for a light and flavorful tuna dinner idea, this spinach tuna melt is perfect.
20. Chipotle Tuna Salad – Another light dinner idea that is full of flavor, this chipotle tuna sandwich is sure to be a hit.
21. Cheesy Tuna Melt Cakes – These cakes have a crunchy exterior with a soft potato, corn, and tuna cake with a warm melted cheese center.
22. Tuna Bean Salad – Easy to put together, this tuna bean salad will make a delicious side dish or canned tuna recipe for dinner.
23. Tuna Salad Boats – These tuna salad boats can be used as an appetizer or light family meal.
24. Tuna Mexi Melts – Full of Mexican flavors, these tuna melt sandwiches are delicious.
25. Tuna Mac and Cheese – A filling dinner that will allow you to feed a crowd, this tuna mac and cheese is tasty.
26. Tuna Macaroni Salad – Another filling tuna dish, this macaroni salad includes canned tuna for a delicious pasta meal.
27. Tuna Zucchini Fritters – Tuna and zucchini come together to great these tasty fried fritters.
28. Tuna Hand Pies – These tuna pies are filled with a creamy, delicious tuna filling to make a delicious on-the-go meal.
29. Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Tuna – Stuffed peppers have become a family dinner favorite and these tuna stuffed peppers will be a hit.
More Canned Tuna Dinner Recipes
30. Tuna and Potato Patties – An easy budget friendly tuna dinner idea, these tuna and potato patties are sure to please.
31. Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels – Another easy light dinner idea, these tuna puff pastries are sure to delight.
32. Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole – A comforting meal that everyone will love, this classic tuna noodle casserole is easy to make.
33. Tuna Cobb Salad – A lightened-up version of a traditional Cobb salad with tuna and a vinaigrette dressing.
34. Tuna Pie – If you are looking for a quick meal to put on the table, this tuna pie is the way to go.
35. Avocado Tuna Salad – A quick and easy keto avocado recipe that is perfect for a healthy lunch or a simple low carb meal.
36. Mini Tuna Empanadas – Perfect for little hands, these mini tuna empanadas are easy and delicious.
37. Sourdough Tuna Melts – Add some extra flavor to your tuna melt by using sourdough.
38. Italian Tuna Salad – Loaded with fresh vegetables, garlic, parsley, and olives, this is a delicious no mayo tuna salad recipe.
39. Crockpot Tuna Casserole – Another delicious tuna casserole recipe, but this one is cooked in the crockpot for those busy days.
40. Low Carb Tuna Pie – A low carb option for dinner, this tuna pie is sure to be a hit.
41. Spinach Tuna Bake – This spinach tuna casserole is a healthy and delicious meal.
42. Tuna Power Wrap – A quick and healthy lunch or dinner idea that is packed full of protein.
Tuna is a versatile and affordable ingredient that can be used in countless recipes. Whether you’re looking for something quick and easy or want to put a little more effort into dinner, canned tuna has you covered.
From salads to casseroles, there’s no shortage of delicious dishes you can make with this pantry staple.
So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
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