27 Canned Tuna Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

When you need a quick-and-simple meal that doesn't require a lot of ingredients, it's time to take stock of what's in your pantry. There are so many delicious dishes that you can make with staples like rice or canned foods—but ones that incorporate canned tuna are our favorite, like this creamy tuna-noodle dump dinner, made entirely in one baking dish— egg noodles included. It tastes just like the casserole you grew up eating but requires less equipment (and cleanup). Instead of using the classic cream of mushroom soup, we opted for a combination of cheese, broth, heavy cream and sour cream, which provides the same velvety texture.

How do you make bagels and cream cheese even better? Top them with lettuce, tomato and savory tuna salad!

Marry tuna, pasta, green beans and carrots with an herby white wine vinaigrette for a bright and flavorful dish that tastes great anytime of the year.

Craving a warm and satisfying meal? Canned tuna to the rescue. Season it with a few spices and tuck it into pita bread along with cheese before warming through. Simple and delicious.

Tuna salad meets BLT in this keto-friendly mashup. Hang on to that oil in the tuna can for a flavor bonus.

Puttanesca is an Italian dish that features flavorful ingredients like tomatoes, olives, capers and garlic. We’ve used all those same flavors here along with the tuna for a simple and delicious take on the classic.

Even if your pantry is close to bare, you probably have the fixin's for these super-simple and special flatbreads. The combo of sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar gives the bean spread a tangy earthiness that goes great with the tuna-and-olive salad. It's a perfect big snack or small meal. Or try the spread on your favorite crackers.

You can always count on the classics when you need an easy, family-friendly meal. Ree’s recipe for tuna noodle casserole uses simple ingredients and is ready in just one hour. It’s guaranteed to bring everyone around the table!

If you love a good pop of flavor, toss spaghetti with canned tuna, crushed red pepper flakes and fresh mint. It’s a unique dish, you’ll make again and again.

We love this family-friendly twist on classic tuna salad sandwiches. Who doesn’t love an open-faced sammy topped with gooey, melted cheese?

We can’t decide what our favorite part of this ooey, gooey mac and cheese is: the pimento cheese, the buttery cracker topping or the fact that the whole thing is made extra satisfying with tuna.

Skip the mayo and give your tuna salad a Mediterranean twist. Flavors of lemon, fresh dill and tomato make this dish bright and sunny.

Cubes of bread are tossed with tomatoes, basil, celery, chickpeas, cucumbers, tuna and capers and then dressed with a red wine vinegar-mustard vinaigrette in this simple, warm-weather dish.

Turn canned tuna into a fancy, bistro-style sandwich by adding artichoke hearts and olives from the pantry. Layer the tuna onto rolls along with some arugula and radishes and you have a quick-and-tasty bite.

While we love many kinds of tuna salad, this classic version tops them all. The crispy celery and red onion add zest and crunch, while mayonnaise and a touch of mustard marry it all together. The lemon juice is optional as it’s not traditional, but we strongly recommend it to brighten up the flavors of the final dish.

White beans, salty olives and fresh colorful veggies turn simple canned tuna into a Tuscan-inspired treat. Serve in bowls as suggested or use as a filling in pita pockets or wraps.

No ground beef? No problem. Katie makes meatballs for pasta night using a pantry staple: canned tuna. Combined with breadcrumbs, cheese and egg, they come together easily and taste just as good as any meat-based version.

In this twist on the classic tuna melt, we hollow out four pieces of bread and layer them with all our favorites — American cheese, creamy mayo, canned tuna, tomatoes, pickles and sprouts. Potato chips on the bottom deliver a crunchy surprise.

Tostadas are a fun alternative to taco night — and they’re great with canned tuna. These ones use chipotle powder, pimento-stuffed olives and pico de gallo for lots of smoky, salty flavor.

Two simple pantry staples (that we’re guessing you have on hand right now) will totally transform spaghetti marinara: red pepper flakes and canned tuna.

This is a surprisingly low-fat version of the classic tuna casserole you grew up with. You make your own creamy mixture, which replaces the high-fat condensed soup in the original version. Fresh breadcrumbs toast right on top of the casserole!

These high-protein "sandwiches" are best assembled and served right away. We use English cucumbers because the skin is thinner than the hothouse variety and doesn't need to be peeled. Be sure to serve each sandwich wrapped in wax paper to keep all the juices contained — then bite with confidence!

Tuna is the perfect protein when you need a quick meal from the pantry — and this skillet pasta proves it. Grab a few essentials from your cupboard and refrigerator (beans, tuna, canned tomatoes, pasta and garlic) and you’re just 30 minutes from dinner.

Nicoise salad is one of our favorites: hard-boiled eggs make it extra satisfying and olives add an irresistible salty flavor. This sandwich incorporates both of those elements, along with tuna, for an unforgettable bagel sandwich.

Canned tuna is good for so much more than just sandwiches. We’ve always got some in the pantry and love using it to bulk up a simple dish of pasta and tomato sauce.

Canned foods make eating healthy easier. And this salad is both easy-to-make and versatile. Canned beans, artichoke hearts and tuna make this good-for-you dish one you’ll enjoy eating for lunch or dinner.