Tuna Mac and Cheese

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A simple one pot stove-top tuna mac and cheese that creates a quick, filling dinner that’s done in 15-minutes or less!

Life can be really hectic. On days like that, we need quick meals loaded with lean meat and veggies. However, nobody wants to stand in the kitchen making a pot roast when they’re already tired.

That’s why Kim and I have recipes like this stove-top tuna mac and cheese. Meat, veggies, and pasta all in one dish.

The tuna mac and cheese served in bowls.

Since it uses pantry staples, you’re bound to have all the ingredients on hand. Also, the meal is pretty cheap to make.

Combine one box macaroni and cheese, a can of tuna in water, and some frozen veggies and you have yourself a full meal.

Want some quick recipes with meat, pasta, and veggies? Take a look at our bow tie crab pasta salad or our creamy Kielbasa pasta.

The finished pasta served in small white bowls.

How to make tuna mac and cheese:

Basically, all your need to do is put 6-cups of water into a medium saucepan. You can add a pinch of salt to the water to flavor the noodles. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

The pasta and veggies boiling in a saucepan.

After that, dump in the box of dry noodles and the frozen peas and corn. Then, let everything cook for about 7-minutes or until the noodles are soft. Drain the water.

Now, open the can of tuna and drain it. Add it to the pan of cooked noodles and veggies.

Butter and other ingredients added to the cooked and drained pasta.

Last, stir in the butter, milk, and dry cheese packet. The dish should be warm and creamy.

That’s it, your stove-top tuna mac and cheese is done! Kim and I hope you enjoy it and wish you all the best 🙂

The ingredients have been combined into a cheesy pasta.

Tuna Mac and Cheese Recipe Tips:

  • If you don’t like corn and peas, omit them and add half a cup of any frozen vegetable you prefer.
  • For our recipe, we used the cheap boxed mac and cheese. Feel free to use a different version. But, if the brand you choose has a liquid cheese sauce, then omit the butter and milk.
  • You can store tuna mac and cheese, in your fridge, in a sealed container for up to 3-days.
An up-close view of the finished pasta in bowls.

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Two small bowls of the tuna mac and cheese.

Tuna Mac and Cheese

4.8 from 40 votes
Print Pin
Author: John
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Additional Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 7 ¼ ounces macaroni and cheese, 1 box
  • 6 cups water
  • ¼ cup frozen peas
  • ¼ cup frozen corn
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 5 ounces tuna, drained
  • Packet of cheese powder, from box of macaroni and cheese

Instructions
 

  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles and frozen vegetables. Cook until noodles are done, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain, and place the noodles and vegetables back in the pan. 
    7 ¼ ounces macaroni and cheese
    6 cups water
    ¼ cup frozen peas
    ¼ cup frozen corn
  • Add the butter, milk, tuna, and cheese packet. Stir until the ingredients are combined and creamy.
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    ¼ cup milk
    5 ounces tuna
    Packet of cheese powder
  • Serve hot. The tuna mac can be stored in your fridge (in a container with a lid) for 3-days.

Suggested Equipment

Notes

The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1/4 of the tuna mac. Actual calories will vary.
 
For more information and tips please refer to the post.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 2mg
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4.83 from 40 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Easy enough for my teenage sons can make it on their own. Also for my daughter who never likes to cook. They like this recipe very much. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thank you Hope! We’re glad the everyone enjoyed the mac and cheese. Thank you again for commenting and rating the recipe. Have a lovely day 🙂

  2. Love this when I’m wanting to just whip something up quick or the budgets tight. I always add whatever cheese I’ve got and melt it on top for about 5 minutes in the oven before serving. So good!

    1. Thank you Megan! It’s a simple dish that definitely saves money and time. Thank you for commenting and have a lovely day 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    What an excellent and simple recipe. Tastes great and an easy clean up. I had two slices of bread asking to be used so I crumbed them with butter and sprinkled on top and browned it quickly in the oven. I will be making this recipe again.