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.
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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.
We took the classic Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole and made it faster, easier, and just as cheesy good.
This is a classic comfort food dish that combines two beloved favorites into one delicious and satisfying, and Easy Comfort Food Casserole.
This casserole is a hearty and creamy creation that brings together the rich, cheesy goodness of macaroni and cheese with the savory, flaky tuna and bursting fresh peas. The result is a perfect blend of flavors and textures that leaves your taste buds craving more.
For more macaroni recipes, make sure to check out our Homemade Hamburger Helper, Taco Mac and Cheese (with Rotel), and Mac and Cheese Quesadilla.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's affordable. Often called "poor man's tuna casserole," this meal is made with budget friendly staples like boxed macaroni. The whole pot comes together for under seven dollars. The name is a nod to my childhood, when boxed mac and cheese with Crispy Fried Tuna Patties was a regular "poor man's dinner" at our house, and it's been a comforting favorite ever since.
- It's easy to make. This simple one pot meal comes together quickly and is perfect when you want something low effort, making it a great Lazy Sunday Dinner Idea.
- Family approved. Even if someone picks out the peas, this dish is cheesy, savory, meaty, and always a hit at the table.
🛒 Ingredients
Boxed macaroni and cheese. Any brand works, but Walmart's Great Value Thick and Creamy is our favorite.
Frozen peas. Adds color and a little sweetness. Canned sweet peas work too, just drain them well and stir them in at the very end.
Canned tuna. Provides flavor and an affordable protein boost. If you have extra tuna, try it in our Spicy Tuna Sandwich, Tuna Cabbage Salad, or Air Fryer Tuna Melt.
Ritz crackers. Optional, but highly recommended. The buttery crunch adds great flavor and texture, just like it does in our Chicken Divan Casserole.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store-brand mac and cheese: Generic boxed mac is usually cheaper and works just as well.
Swap proteins: Canned chicken or leftover cooked chicken can replace tuna if it's already on hand.
Skip the topping: Ritz crackers are optional and can be left out to reduce cost.
🥄 Instructions for Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole
Step 1: Cook your macaroni noodles according to package directions until al dente.
Step 2: Just before draining the water, stir in the frozen peas. Then dump the contents into a colander and rinse under cold water (Image 1).
Step 3: 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 (Image 2).
Step 4: Add in the drained tuna (Image 3).
Step 5: Stir to break up the chunks (Image 4).
Step 6: Add in the milk, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese packets (Image 5).
Step 7: Stir until well mixed (Image 6).
Step 8: Add the drained noodles and peas back into the pot (Image 7).
Step 9: Stir until well mixed (Image 8).
Optional Steps
Step 10: Pour the cheesy noodles into a greased 1 ½ quart or quart casserole dish (Image 9).
Step 11: Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers over the top (Image 10).
Step 12: Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Serve warm and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Soup is optional. This dish works with or without canned mushroom soup, so try both and see which you prefer.
- Swap the peas. Frozen peas can be replaced with canned peas. Just drain and rinse them, then stir in right before serving.
- Add a crunchy topping. Crushed Ritz crackers add extra flavor and texture and are an easy way to dress it up.
- Change the mac. Different brands, creamy styles, or pasta shapes all work. Each one gives the dish a slightly different taste and texture, so use what you like.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or warm on the stovetop with a splash of milk or butter to prevent drying out.
Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve with a simple green salad, sliced tomatoes, or steamed green beans for an easy, budget-friendly meal.
- Iceberg SaladRecipe $5.00 / Serving $0.83
- Roasted Tomato and Garlic SoupRecipe $3.36 / Serving $0.84
- Air Fryer Canned Green BeansRecipe $1.79 / Serving $0.45
- The Best Canned Green Bean RecipeRecipe $1.14 / Serving $0.29
❓ Recipe 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 Recipes You'll Love
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🐝 If you tried this Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 boxes macaroni and cheese, such as Kraft - ($1.16)
- ½ cup unsalted butter - ($0.99)
- 1 small onion, finely diced (about 1 cup) - ($0.90)
- 2 cans (5 ounces) tuna in water, drained - ($1.92)
- ½ cup milk - ($0.10)
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup - ($0.54)
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas - ($0.84)
Optional Topping
- ½ sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed - ($0.49)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta and peas. Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, stir in the frozen peas. Drain everything in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water.
- Sauté the base. Return the empty pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and diced onion and cook until the butter is melted and the onion is soft.
- Add tuna. Stir in the drained tuna, breaking it up into smaller chunks.
- Make the sauce. Add the milk, cream of mushroom soup, and the cheese packets from the macaroni and cheese boxes. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Combine. Stir the cooked macaroni and peas into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Optional bake. Transfer the mixture to a greased 1 ½-quart or 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers over the top and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Serve. Serve warm.
Notes
- Soup option. Cream of mushroom adds richness but can be omitted if preferred.
- Pea swaps. If using canned peas, drain and rinse before stirring in at the end.
- Crunchy topping. Ritz crackers add flavor and texture but are optional.
- Reheating. Reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or on the stovetop with a splash of milk or butter to prevent drying out.
Nutritional Information
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Anne walters says
I have got Mac and cheese left over from Friday’s supper. Will add a tin of drained tuna and some peas and carrots for a quick supper tonight.
Paula says
Smells so good!
I cut in half, added shredded cheese and buttered my ritz crackers.
Thank you for the recipe
Lori says
It’s in the oven as I write this. My friend and I were talking about having this as kids.
Will report back to see how the family likes it