Tuna Macaroni And Cheese – A Cost Effective Meal
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Tuna Macaroni and Cheese is a quick, stove top dinner that can be made from pantry staples. The extra cheesy tuna mac goodness will satisfy everyone in your house.
Tuna Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni Pasta
- Velveeta or Generic Cheese Melt
- Milk
- Butter
- Garlic Salt
- Black Pepper
- Canned Tuna
You know the scenario. It’s been a long day, and you walk through the door. There’s no time to cook a huge meal for the family. This Tuna Macaroni and Cheese will check the box for these busy nights. The entire recipe is cooked on the stove top, and it only uses one saucepan and that means less mess to clean up afterwards.
I love how quick this tuna mac and cheese with Velveeta goes together. The longest step of the entire recipe is cooking elbow macaroni. Once the macaroni is cooked, you toss in the rest of the ingredients and dinner is served.
I keep all these ingredients on hand – tuna, elbow macaroni and cheese melt are always in the pantry. And, there’s always milk and butter in the refrigerator.
Our house deemed this dish a success. The extra cheesy goodness from cheese melt (AKA Velveeta) creates a delicious base. The protein comes from simple canned tuna.
Other Favorite Tuna Recipes
This tuna macaroni and cheese recipe is both delicious and affordable. Great for a quick lunch or dinner. It is one of the most popular recipes of the year, but we are big fans of canned tuna. Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring tuna:
- Tuna Melt Turnovers
- Mom’s Classic Tuna Casserole
- Tuna Salad Coney’s
- Tuna BBQ
- Barbie’s Tuna Salad
- Tuna Macaroni Salad
Mac and Cheese with Tuna Recipe FAQs
- This tuna mac and cheese recipe calls for elbow macaroni, but any pasta will do. Cook according to package directions.
- You could make this cheesy tuna mac a complete meal by adding frozen peas. Add them at the same step as the tuna, and they will cook quickly.
- A fun change-up would be using white cheese melt (queso blanco).
- Stove top tuna mac calls for tuna packed in oil. You could absolutely use solid albacore tuna or tuna packed in water. I would drain any tuna packed in water first.
- Looking for a more traditional macaroni and cheese sans tuna? Try our skillet mac and cheese for a classic side dish!
How to Make Tuna Mac and Cheese
Step by Step Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions (boil in salted water). Drain the water, and add the cooked pasta back into the saucepan.
- Cut cheese melt into cubes and add it and the milk to the macaroni; whisk until the cheese is completely melted.
- Stir in butter, garlic salt and pepper to the macaroni mixture.
- Add undrained tuna, and stir. Serve hot.
Storage Instructions
Let leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container, and store in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
Recipe Variations
- Add sautéed onions that have been softened in butter. Bell peppers would be tasty too.
- Canned tuna in water works too!
- Top the entire dish with shredded cheddar cheese if you like it extra cheesy.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs such as parsley before serving.
Other Pot O’Gold Recipes
We found this recipe in our trusty Pot O’Gold cookbook like so many other of our favorites on this site.
- Orange Julius Recipe
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Rhubarb Dream Cake
- Classic Ambrosia Salad
- Crock Pot Ground Beef Enchiladas
Tuna Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 pound cheese melt (Velveeta)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 10 ounces tuna, packed in oil
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni in a medium saucepan according to package directions.
- Drain water; add the pasta back to the saucepan.
- Cube cheese melt (Velveeta), and add to the macaroni. Add milk. Over medium-low heat, stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted.
- Add butter, garlic salt and black pepper and stir until butter is melted.
- Add undrained tuna, and stir. Serve hot.
Notes
- This tuna mac and cheese recipe calls for elbow macaroni, but any pasta will do. Cook according to package directions.
- You could make this cheesy tuna mac a complete meal by adding frozen peas. Add them at the same step as the tuna, and they will cook quickly.
- A fun change-up would be using white cheese melt (queso blanco).
- Stovetop tuna mac calls for tuna packed in oil. You could absolutely use solid albacore tuna or tuna packed in water. I would drain any tuna packed in water first.
- The nutritional information is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.
One Comment