9 Great Meals to Make with Canned Tuna

9 awesome recipes for canned tuna! Tuna patties, tuna salad, tuna pasta, and more

White Bean Tuna Salad
Elise Bauer

Do you like canned tuna? Growing up in a "fish on Fridays" home, we were never without canned tuna in the pantry.

Even now, if you open up my pantry door, you'll find a stack of cans on the shelf right next to the cans of sardines and whole peeled tomatoes.

It's just the most perfect food in pinch, when you haven't had time to shop, or what's in the fridge is scarily long past its use-by date.

Canned tuna is budget-friendly, good for you, and wonderfully versatile. With it you can make tuna patties, tuna salad, tuna crostini, tuna casserole, and even tuna mac n cheese. Here are just a few ideas for creative ways to use canned tuna.

1. Mediterranean Tuna Pasta

This tuna pasta is dressed with a salty blend of olives, capers and mozzarella cheese.

Mediterranean Tuna Pasta
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

2. Avocado Tuna Salad

Skip the mayo and use avocado instead!

Avocado Tuna Salad
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

Ali's lightened-up take on the tuna noodle casserole with plenty of veggies.

3. Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole

A quick trip under the broiler gives this pasta bake a melty Parmesan crust.

Pasta with Tuna and Tomato Sauce
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

4. Asian Tuna Salad

This Asian-inspired tuna salad features ginger, sesame and green onions. Serve with lettuce or noodles!

Asian Tuna Salad
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

5. Pasta with Tuna and Arugula

Pasta, canned tuna, with a peppery kick from red pepper flakes and wilted arugula—but you could easily substitute baby spinach, if that's what you have on-hand.

Pasta with Tuna and Arugula
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

6. Tuna Patties

Family staple. Kid friendly. Budget friendly. So good!

Tuna Patties
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

7. White Bean and Tuna Salad

With white beans and tuna, this quick and easy salad is packed with protein. With onion, parsley, lemon, and Tabasco.

White Bean Tuna Salad
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

8. Best Ever Tuna Salad Sandwich

I have yet to have a tuna salad sandwich better than this one. No kidding. You may find the ingredient list a little surprising, but believe me it works!

Best Ever Tuna Salad Sandwich
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

9. Pasta with Tuna and Capers in White Wine Sauce

Super easy for a mid week meal, and packed with flavor.

Pasta with Tuna and Capers in White Wine Sauce
Simply Recipes. Elise Bauer

Want more recipes with canned tuna and other canned seafood? We got 'em!