This mac and cheese tuna casserole is a simple one pot meal that the whole family (and your budget) will enjoy. With frugal and tasty coming together for this cheesy and easy tuna noodle recipe.
This tuna macaroni casserole mixture is often referred to as "poor man's tuna noodle casserole" because it's a cheaper way of getting similar results to the real deal cheesy tuna noodle casseroles you'd expect. I mean, boxed macaroni is cheap and I think this entire pot costs me less than $5 to make, so I can see how the name might stick.
If you're looking for a simple one pot meal, this macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas recipe really hits the spot. With cheesy goodness in every bite, bursting fresh peas, and bits of tuna, this dish is tasty and very easy to prepare too!
🥘 Ingredients
- Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
- Frozen Peas
- Onion
- Butter
- Milk
- Canned Tuna
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Ritz Crackers
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
🍽 Equipment Needed
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- Large pot
- Measuring cups
- Whisk
- Large spoon
🔪 Instructions
Check out how to make mac and cheese tuna casserole with these simple step-by-step instructions:
Cook your macaroni noodles according to package directions until al dente.
Just before draining the water, stir in the frozen peas. Then dump the contents into a colander and rinse under cold water.
Return the empty pot to the stove over medium heat.
Add butter and onions to the pot.
Cook the butter until melted and the onions are soft.
Add in the tuna and stir to break up the chunks.
Mix in the milk, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese packets until well mixed.
Stir the noodles and peas.
Pour the cheesy noodles into a greased 1 ½ quart or quart casserole dish.
Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers over the top.
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
🍴 Recipe Tips
I've made this mac and cheese with tuna recipe a few times and something we cannot decide upon is whether or not we enjoy it more with or without the canned mushroom soup. Honestly, it tastes great either way but trying it for yourself is the only way to decide which is better.
If you think you would prefer to use canned peas instead of frozen, then simply drain and rinse the peas before use. Add them in at the end, just before serving.
We also really enjoy our tuna noodles with a crushed Ritz cracker crumb topping, so if you're looking for a great way to serve up your stovetop tuna casserole give it a try and see how you like it! 🙂
We've tried this Mac N Cheese Tuna Casserole with different brands and types of macaroni and cheese including Kraft, store brands, "creamy" versions, and shells or shapes. Depending on the different macaroni you use, the flavor and textures change slightly. That said, you really can't go wrong if you use your favorites!
💭 FAQs
Traditionally, tuna noodle is a dish with noodles, cheese, cream of soups, tuna, and a veggie (usually peas) the toppings (if any) can vary from crushed potato chips to breadcrumbs. This dish is very simple with boxed macaroni and cheese, tuna, cream of mushroom, peas, and onion.
I usually serve the dish alone as-is but sometimes I enjoy serving it up with more veggies like a simple green garden salad or steamed broccoli. Sticking with this that tastes great with cheddar cheese is a pretty safe bet for getting a good tasting meal on your plate.
To heat this dish you can simply place a serving on a plate in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or you can reheat it on the stovetop. To avoid it drying out consider adding a tablespoon of butter or a dash of milk to keep the mix hydrated.
More great casserole recipes to try
- Easy Hashbrown Casserole
- Sausage Green Bean Potato Casserole
- Walking Taco Casserole
- Instant Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- Overnight Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Chicken Divan Casserole
📖 Recipe
Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole
Equipment
- Large spoon
- 2 quart Casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 small Onion (1 cup), finely diced ($0.40)
- 2 boxes Macaroni and cheese, like Kraft ($1.00)
- 2 cans (5oz) Tuna in water, drained ($1.44)
- 1 ½ cups Frozen peas ($0.47)
- ½ cup Butter ($0.75)
- ½ cup Milk ($0.10)
- 1 can (10.5oz) Cream of mushroom soup ($0.50)
- ½ sleeve Ritz crackers ($0.29)
Instructions
- Cook your macaroni noodles according to package directions until al dente.
- Just before draining the water, stir in the frozen peas. Then dump the contents into a colander and rinse under cold water.
- Return the empty pot to the stove over medium heat.
- Add butter and onions to the pot.
- Cook the butter until melted and the onions are soft.
- Add in the tuna and stir to break up the chunks.
- Mix in the milk, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese packets until well mixed.
- Stir the noodles and peas.
- Pour the cheesy noodles into a greased 1 ½ quart or quart casserole dish.
- Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers over the top.
- Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
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