24 Recipes That Start with Canned Tuna

By Melanie Fincher

Updated November 09, 2020

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Credit: KGora

If you've ever opened your kitchen cabinet only to find a lonely can of tuna, fear not. You can still have a delicious dinner on the table in no time with these top-rated tuna recipes. From tuna casserole to tuna salad and tuna patties, there's no shortage of meals to make with canned tuna. Canned tuna is affordable, non-perishable, and a high-quality source of protein with very little fat. Keep reading for 24 of our most delicious recipes that start with canned tuna.

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Best Tuna Casserole

Credit: Mackenzie Schieck

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This is an easy-to-throw-together meal made with non-perishable ingredients, so you can make it anytime. Reviewer Becky Alsing says, "This is by far the best tuna casserole I've had, and as easy as the classic. I often substitute canned salmon for tuna, or use canned asparagus as the main veggie."

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Barbie's Tuna Salad

Credit: KGora

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Lunch or dinner comes together in just 10 minutes with this flavorful tuna salad (made with curry powder for a little sweet and savory flavor). Recipe creator TANAQUIL says, "The secret ingredients are the curry and Parmesan cheese! Odd combinations, but this makes a terrific tuna sandwich!"

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Easy Tuna Casserole

Credit: Allrecipes

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This classic tuna casserole recipe makes great leftovers. Reviewer JAZZYMADDY says, "This was extremely wonderful - my new comfort food!"

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Tuna Noodle Casserole from Scratch

Credit: Denise Sakaki

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If you prefer to toss the can and go for homemade instead, this is the recipe for you. "No canned soup mix in this recipe! Mushrooms, onions, celery, and peas all go into this comfort casserole," says recipe creator MVANWINKLE.

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Best Tuna Melt (New Jersey Diner Style)

Credit: Alana

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"If you order a tuna melt in a New Jersey diner, you'll get something very similar to this," says recipe creator COOKINGIRLLJ. "My method of topping the tuna salad with cheese FIRST, then tomato and more cheese, keeps the toppings from sliding off the bread."

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Tasty Tuna Burgers

Credit: Adam Compton

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You know what lasts a lot longer (and is a whole lot cheaper) than ground beef? Canned tuna. Reviewer SCREWLEWSE says, "My family is out of cash and we have canned tuna specially for these hard times, so making this recipe was perfect. It took 30 minutes to make from start to finish along with cooking baked potatoes. Everyone absolutely loved this recipe and the cost is so low even paupers like me can live like kings."

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Easy Tuna Patties

Credit: Sugarplum

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These tuna patties are good enough to be enjoyed on their own or on a bun. Reviewer jonjen says, "These were very good. They didn't fall apart when I cooked them like most fish cakes. We had them with tartar sauce on buns. I'm going to add some Old Bay next time for extra flavor."

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Spaghetti with Tuna and Capers

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Tuna in olive oil, capers, thinly sliced red onions, and crushed red pepper flakes combine with spaghetti and fresh parsley. "With a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious meal!" says Kim's Cooking Now, the recipe submitter. "My husband came up with this recipe while we are on 'stay at home' orders due to the Coronavirus pandemic. It was quick, easy, and delicious!"

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Tuna Macaroni Salad

Credit: Maisan Djuhadi

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To make this simple and refreshing summertime salad, allow the macaroni to marinate in the dressing overnight and toss the remainder of the ingredients in when you're ready to enjoy it. "The pasta just BURST with flavor due to marinating it overnight," says reviewer KMCARR.

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Tuna Fish Salad

Credit: Angela F.

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This is a classic version of tuna fish salad that can be a meal or light snack (when served on a cracker). Ingredients like celery and onion give it a nice crunch to balance out the rich mayonnaise. "I loved the crunchiness of it! Terrific sandwich," says reviewer Johnsgirl78.

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Spicy Tuna Fish Cakes

Credit: Rock_lobster

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Cayenne pepper gives these fish cakes a kick. Recipe creator Raquel Teixeira says, "Who needs crab and a deep fryer to enjoy these tasty delights? Tuna works great and a light pan searing does the job of cooking up this tasty treat without all the fat! Serve with hot sauce or mayonnaise."

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Pesto Tuna Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Credit: MomTo6

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"It may seem kind of a weird combination, but the sun-dried tomatoes gave the tuna salad a nice sweetness and added an interesting texture," says recipe creator DC Girly Girl.

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One Pot Tuna Casserole

Credit: Jessica

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This take on tuna casserole requires no baking! All the ingredients are tossed together in one pot and cooked over the stove. Reviewer ROARK says, "Made this last night and it was great! I love to cook, but sometimes there's no time to get fancy. This was filling and very tasty."

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Darra's Famous Tuna Waldorf Salad Sandwich Filling

Credit: GodivaGirl

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This 20-minute recipe combines two classic salads in one: tuna salad and Waldorf salad. Reviewer Crystal S says, "The unusual combination of ingredients threw me off when reading through the list, but they absolutely worked together beautifully! I added dried cranberries the second time I made this and it was a nice addition."

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Avocado and Tuna Tapas

Credit: bd.weld

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"I was hesitant to make this at first but I was hungry, had all the ingredients at hand, and really didn't feel like eating fast food," says reviewer ait0shi. "This is soo good." Use ingredients you have on hand to create these quick and easy tapas.

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New Wife Tuna Salad

Credit: Molly

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Reviewer Chris K in Wisconsin says, "I'm surely not a new wife, but after 39 years of marriage, my husband said this was the best tuna I ever made!"

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Cheesy Tuna Melts

Credit: KGora

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"A great quick snack for hungry people in a hurry. Crisp muffins, creamy tuna salad and bubbly melted cheese on top," says recipe creator Sal.

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Cold Tuna Macaroni Salad 

Credit: Gata Negra

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This tuna and macaroni salad makes a great side dish or stand-alone dish that people can easily serve themselves (so you don't have to worry about putting together lunch each day). Reviewer LINDA MCLEAN says, "My mom always made this dish for us on a warm summer evening and now I make it for my family. I serve it on a plate lined with crisp lettuce and place sliced tomato and sliced hard boiled eggs around it."

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Tuna Melts

Credit: JoeTheBaker

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This tuna melt is served on French bread for a filling dinner fix! Reviewer CookinBug says, "I've never tried mozzarella on a tuna melt before, but it was awesome."

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Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

Credit: Silvana Rusan

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This savory macaroni salad is perfect for feeding a crowd. Reviewer EFFIEBUG says, "This has become my holy grail macaroni salad recipe. I took it to a church supper a couple of months ago, and it was a big hit!"

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Pasta With Tuna Sauce

Credit: TTV78

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"Easy, healthy, and quick for a busy family. Followed another poster's suggestion of adding broccoli for extra veggie serving... worked well," says reviewer NovelCook. This easy pasta sauce can be made with ingredients you likely have on hand.

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BBQ Tuna Fritters

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"A fun way to make canned tuna taste less like canned tuna. These thin tuna patties are tasty enough to be eaten plain or in a pita pocket with lettuce and tomato," says recipe creator emily. Amp up your tuna patties with barbeque and hot pepper sauce.

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Mediterranean Tuna Capellini

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Tuna, cannellini beans, and capellini pasta in a bright lemon juice, zest, and olive oil sauce. "Not far from Tampa, Florida, is a waterfront city rich with Greek influence called Tarpon Springs. This is a dish based on a dish I once tried at a local eatery," says thedailygourmet, the recipe submitter. "It really gives a Mediterranean taste."

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Tuna Noodle Casserole with Bechamel Sauce

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"With tuna casserole, bechamel eliminates the need for a canned cream soup," says Diana71. "Its thick, creamy texture clings to the pasta and adds tremendous flavor overall. The amount used in this recipe keeps the entire casserole light but still filling."

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By Melanie Fincher