Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole
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.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 408kcal
Cost: Recipe $6.94 / Serving $0.87
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.
Video
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.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 37.8g | Protein: 19.9g | Fat: 19.8g | Saturated Fat: 9.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6.8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 821mg | Potassium: 275.8mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4.6g | Vitamin A: 156.5IU | Vitamin C: 5.2mg | Calcium: 155.1mg | Iron: 2.4mg
