Best 10 Baked Tuna Macaroni Recipes

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**Baked Tuna Macaroni: A Classic Comfort Dish with a Twist**

Baked tuna macaroni is a delightful casserole that combines the classic flavors of tuna salad with the comforting warmth of macaroni and cheese. This dish is a perfect blend of textures, with tender macaroni, flaky tuna, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. It's a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your preferences, making it a favorite among both kids and adults. This article presents three variations of baked tuna macaroni: the classic recipe, a healthier version with whole-wheat macaroni and Greek yogurt, and a spicy version with jalapenos and cayenne pepper. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at a potluck, baked tuna macaroni is sure to be a hit.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CREAMY TUNA PASTA BAKE



Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake image

Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake - a classic meal that everyone loves - made with mostly store-cupboard ingredients!

Provided by Nicky Corbishley

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 12

400 g (14 oz) rigatoni pasta
3 tbsp butter
1 onion (peeled and chopped finely)
40 g (1/3 cup) plain/all purpose flour
600 ml (2.5 cups) milk
250 g (2.5 packed cups) strong cheddar, grated
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
320 g (11 oz) canned tuna (albacore tuna if possible) (drained and flaked)
330 g (11.5 oz) canned sweetcorn (, drained)
150 g (1 cup) frozen petit pois
chopped parsley to serve

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 180C/350f.
  • Boil a large pan of water, add the pasta and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Whilst the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan, add in the onion and cook on low for 6-8 minutes until the onions are very soft.
  • Turn up the heat to medium and stir in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the milk, using a whisk to stir (just stir, don't whisk) it in.
  • Once all the milk is incorporated, continue to heat whilst stirring until the sauce thickens. Then stir in 2/3 of the cheese until melted. Season with the salt and pepper.
  • Drain the pasta and pour into a 20x30cm baking dish. Pour over the white sauce, then add the tuna, sweetcorn and petit pois.
  • Mix together, then sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
  • Bake in the oven for 15-20 mins until the cheese is golden brown. Top with a sprinkling of parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 690 kcal, Carbohydrate 66 g, Protein 40 g, Fat 28 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Sodium 547 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving

MACARONI TUNA CASSEROLE



Macaroni Tuna Casserole image

This dish is so easy to fix, and the flavor is better than any tuna helper I've ever tried. It was a staple when I was in college since a box of macaroni and cheese and a can of tuna cost so little. -Suzanne Zick, Osceola, Arkansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 can (5 ounces) tuna, drained and flaked
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Minced fresh parsley, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Stir in soup, tuna and milk. Pour into a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and, if desired, parsley. Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 522 calories, Fat 29g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 81mg cholesterol, Sodium 1208mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 22g protein.

TUNA-MACARONI SALAD



Tuna-Macaroni Salad image

Perfect for a simple summer supper or as a main-dish potluck contribution, this tuna noodle salad is a comfort food classic that comes together in just 20 minutes. Serve it on a bed of lettuce or other cool, crisp greens, and pair it with some crusty bread for a satisfying and refreshing entrée.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (7 oz) elbow macaroni
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained
1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz), if desired
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, if desired
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 medium stalk celery, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni as directed on package, adding peas for last 4 to 6 minutes of cooking; rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In large bowl, mix macaroni, peas and remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fat 5 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 14 g, SaturatedFat 4 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving (about 1 cup), Sodium 650 mg, Sugar 2 g, TransFat 0 g

EASY TUNA CASSEROLE



Easy Tuna Casserole image

Tuna, macaroni, creamy soup, cheese and fried onions are all you need to make this super easy tuna casserole that I learned from my roommate. It's great as leftovers, too.

Provided by LMCDEVIT

Categories     Seafood     Fish     Tuna

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 5

3 cups cooked macaroni
1 (5 ounce) can tuna, drained
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups French fried onions

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a 9x13-inch baking dish, combine the macaroni, tuna, and soup. Mix well, and then top with cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 25 minutes, or until bubbly. Sprinkle with fried onions, and bake for another 5 minutes. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.4 calories, Carbohydrate 37.1 g, Cholesterol 22.6 mg, Fat 28.5 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 11.5 g, SaturatedFat 9.7 g, Sodium 705.8 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

TUNA MACARONI CASSEROLE



Tuna Macaroni Casserole image

This is the only tuna mac recipe I have made for over 20+ years. If you like a tuna casserole then just make it! You'll be glad you did. I promise.

Provided by Pot Scrubber

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 ounces elbow macaroni (can also use 1/2 a package of spaghetti noodles broken into thirds)
1/2 cup chopped celery (optional but nice)
1 (10 ounce) can cream of celery soup
1/2 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 cup shredded cheese (plus a handful more to sprinkle on top if you want)
10 ounces tuna, well drained and squeezed dry (two five ounce cans of tuna)
4 tablespoons of minced jarred roasted red peppers or 4 tablespoons of jarred pimientos
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or 1 cup of panko crumbs are REALLY nice if you have them on hand)
4 tablespoons margarine
1 teaspoon paprika

Steps:

  • Cook and drain macaroni. If using the optional chopped celery, boil it with the pasta.
  • In a bowl blend together the soup, milk, mayo, and dry mustard.
  • Stir in cheese, tuna, and pimiento.
  • Gently fold in macaroni/spaghetti and transfer into a 2 quart 8X8 inch casserole dish.
  • Combine crumbs, butter, and paprika and sprinkle evenly on top.
  • Bake uncovered at 350 for 30-35 minutes or so. When the crumbs are a pretty color and the juices are bubbling around the edges your casserole is done.

TUNA MELT MAC 'N' CHEESE



Tuna Melt Mac 'n' Cheese image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Salt
1 pound hollow cavatappi or elbows with lines, or macaroni with lines
About 3 tablespoons EVOO, plus extra for drizzling
12 ounces line-caught canned tuna, drained
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley and tarragon
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion or scallions, whites and greens
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 to 2 small ribs celery, finely chopped
1 lemon, juiced
Freshly ground black pepper
1 stick butter
3 tablespoons flour
About 2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 cups grated white Cheddar or gruyere cheese
1 1/2 cups homemade breadcrumbs or panko
1/2 cup grated Parm

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. Salt the water and cook the pasta to less than al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and drizzle with a touch of oil to keep the pasta loose.
  • In a large bowl, flake the tuna and add the herbs (reserving a tablespoon or 2 for breadcrumbs), onions, mustard, celery, lemon juice, EVOO and some salt and pepper. Add the pasta and combine well. Transfer to a baking dish or large casserole dish.
  • In a medium saucepot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute. Then whisk in the milk and season with salt and pepper, thicken to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the Cheddar in a figure-eight motion. Pour the sauce evenly over the pasta and tuna. Gently combine with a spoon to settle the sauce. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
  • Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a small pan and add the breadcrumbs and reserved herbs, toss to evenly distribute the butter, remove from heat and transfer to airtight container.
  • To prepare, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bring the casserole to room temperature. Top the casserole with breadcrumbs and Parm cheese. Bake until golden and hot through.

TUNA MACARONI CASSEROLE



Tuna Macaroni Casserole image

Try our tuna casserole recipe with elbow macaroni, topped with melted cheese and stuffed with peppers and onions for your family dinner.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Entree     Dinner     Lunch     Pasta

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces elbow macaroni
6 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 tablespoons onion, finely minced
2 tablespoons green bell pepper, finely minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt, or seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
7 to 10 ounces tuna, drained and flaked
1 10.5-ounces can condensed cream of mushroom soup, or cream of celery soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 455 kcal, Carbohydrate 35 g, Cholesterol 76 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Sodium 1028 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 24 g, ServingSize 4 to 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

TUNA PASTA BAKE



Tuna pasta bake image

Whip up this cheap treat using storecupboard ingredients, tinned tuna and sweetcorn

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Pasta

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 8

600g rigatoni
50g butter
50g plain flour
600ml milk
250g strong cheddar, grated
2 x 160g cans tuna steak in spring water, drained
330g can sweetcorn, drained
large handful chopped parsley

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
  • Boil 600g rigatoni for 2 mins less time than stated on the pack.
  • To make the sauce, melt 50g butter in a saucepan and stir in 50g plain flour.
  • Cook for 1 min, then gradually stir in 600ml milk to make a thick white sauce.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in all but a handful of the 250g grated cheddar.
  • Drain the pasta, mix with the white sauce, two 160g drained cans tuna, one 330g drained can sweetcorn and a large handful of chopped parsley, then season.
  • Transfer to a baking dish and top with the rest of the grated cheddar.
  • Bake for 15-20 mins until the cheese on top is golden and starting to brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 752 calories, Fat 26 grams fat, SaturatedFat 15 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 99 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 12 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 37 grams protein, Sodium 1.43 milligram of sodium

TUNA-MACARONI CASSEROLE



Tuna-Macaroni Casserole image

I found this in a casserole cookbook circa 1964. I "tweaked" it some. My kids loved it. My daughter makes it for her family too. Serve with lightly sauteed veggies and coleslaw

Provided by pigtailone

Categories     Tuna

Time 30m

Yield 5-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (6 ounce) can tuna fish, drained and broken into chunks
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons margarine or 2 tablespoons salad oil
2 tablespoons chopped onions
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup or 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of celery soup
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
pepper
1 cup coarsely chopped cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Sauté the onion lightly in hot fat.
  • Gradually stir in the soup and the milk.
  • Fold in the tuna, season to taste, and add half the cheese.
  • Mix the macaroni and the tuna mixture, put in a greased casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake 10-15 minutes in the oven at 350ºF or until the cheese is melted and the casserole bubbly.

TUNA MAC AND CHEESE BAKE



Tuna Mac and Cheese Bake image

You can toss your other tuna casserole recipes, 'cause this one's the ultimate! You'll love the ease of this tasty dish. -Bonnie Hord, Lee's Summit, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese dinner mix
1 can (12 ounces) light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1-1/3 cups 2% milk
2 packages (9 ounces each) frozen peas and pearl onions
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 can (2.8 ounces) French-fried onions, divided

Steps:

  • Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Stir in the tuna, soup, milk, peas, mushrooms and half of the fried onions. , Place in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining fried onions; bake 5 minutes longer or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359 calories, Fat 15g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 37mg cholesterol, Sodium 976mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose the right pasta. Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for tuna macaroni, but you can use any small pasta shape you like. Penne, shells, and rotini are all good options.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means that the pasta should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold up well in the casserole.
  • Use a good quality tuna. Canned tuna is fine, but for the best results, use fresh or frozen tuna that you've cooked yourself. Flake the tuna into small pieces before adding it to the casserole.
  • Don't skimp on the cheese. Cheese is what makes tuna macaroni so delicious. Use a good quality cheddar cheese and plenty of it. You can also add other cheeses, such as mozzarella or Parmesan, to taste.
  • Season the casserole well. Salt and pepper are essential, but you can also add other spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. You can also add a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.

Conclusion:

Baked tuna macaroni is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and always a hit with the family. With its creamy, cheesy sauce, tender pasta, and flaky tuna, it's a dish that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give baked tuna macaroni a try. You won't be disappointed.

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