20 Recipes That Start With a Can of Tuna

This pantry staple delivers.

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Published April 29, 2025
Rachel Knecht
Linguine with tuna and capers on two plates at a table setting with a bowl of parsley, a denim table napkin, salt and pepper shakers, and a glass of water

Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Canned tuna is a pantry powerhouse. Its mild, buttery flavor tempts even the “I don’t like seafood” crowd, and it's so versatile that it can be used in salads and sandwiches as well as casseroles and pasta dishes. I always have a can or two sitting on the shelf to make a quick and easy lunch, snack, or simple family dinner. 

For a common grocery store ingredient, canned tuna comes in a surprising number of varieties, ranging from whether it's packed in water or oil, to how it's processed, to what type of tuna it contains. Explore what you like best by trying out different kinds with these recipes, and look for cans labeled pole-and-line caught, which is the most sustainable way to catch tuna. Now turn that simple can of tuna into a feast!

  • Dill Pickle Tuna Salad

    Dill Pickle Tuna Salad sandwich halved on a plate

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    "My favorite way to eat dill pickle tuna salad is on wheat bread with tender butter lettuce. It’s also delicious on crackers or even as a topping for a big, leafy salad. And if I’m serving it for brunch, I love to add it to toasted bagels with a little honey mustard." —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

  • Linguine with Tuna and Capers

    Linguine with tuna and capers on two plates at a table setting with a bowl of parsley, a denim table napkin, salt and pepper shakers, and a glass of water

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

    This pasta gives pasta aglio e olio vibes, but with tuna. It builds flavor by cooking garlic in the oil from the tuna jar, then adding white wine. Then you toss the pasta in the flavorful oil and starchy pasta water to coat it. Capers and white wine cut the richness of the oil by providing crucial acidity and balance.

  • 5-Minute Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl

    Rice bowl topped with spicy tuna and sliced cucumber, fork on the side.

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    "I love tuna salad in all its forms, but canned tuna can do so much more. I’m always on the lookout for easy recipes that use a can of tuna in creative, delicious ways. So, this sushi-inspired spicy tuna rice bowl that only requires five minutes of prep and four ingredients to make has quickly become a favorite meal." —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

  • The Best-Ever Tuna Melt

    Grilled tuna sandwich cut in half and stacked on top of each other. The bread is toasted and tuna, melted cheese and tomatoes are visible in the filling.

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    This diner classic is easy to make at home. Mix tuna with tarragon, mayo, and lemon and spread on crusty bread. Add sliced tomato and your favorite shredded cheese (cheddar, Havarti, and Swiss are all great options). Grill in a skillet until golden and toasted. Serve with french fries.

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  • Italian-Style Tuna Salad

    Overhead view of a bowl of italian-style tuna salad on a plate with lemon slices and lettuce

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    "The key to this salad is in the shopping. You must use olive oil-packed tuna. A more common sight in Europe, it’s moister than water-packed tuna and comes with all the olive oil you need to dress the salad, right there in the can." —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer

  • Tuna Patties

    Tuna patties on a white plate along with a lemon wedge and fork.

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Warm and crispy tuna patties are an easy crowd-pleaser. Drained tuna is mixed with egg, bread, herbs, and seasonings and then browned in a skillet (or cooked in an air fryer!). These can be shaped and chilled overnight for an even easier dinner time. Serve with lemon wedges and coleslaw.

  • Spaghetti with Tuna and White Beans

    Pasta with tuna, white beans, herbs, and breadcrumbs in a bowl, fork resting on the side.

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "This is the quintessential affordable pantry dinner, made exclusively with staples I keep stocked at all times: pasta, canned tuna, and canned white beans. It’s delicious with just those simple ingredients, but I also love adding a few extra garnishes to make it even more satisfying." —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer

  • 4-Ingredient Tuna Avocado Salad

    tuna avocado salad in a bowl

    Simply Recipes / Sheela Prakash

    I prefer a tuna salad that’s bright and fresh-tasting rather than goopy. This tuna avocado salad is exactly that and more. It’s something I’ve been making regularly to tuck into a sandwich, pile on top of greens, or simply eat as-is for a quick, satisfying lunch.

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  • 3-Ingredient Cheater’s Tuna Noodle Casserole

    stove-top tuna noodle casserole

    Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder

    "The meal I most frequently return to is, not surprisingly, a riff on a classic comfort dish: tuna noodle casserole. The genius of the version my mom makes is it requires only three ingredients and 15 minutes to whip up." —Sarah Crowder, Recipe Developer

  • White Bean and Tuna Salad

    Bowl of White Bean Tuna Salad

    Simply Recipe / Elise Bauer

    Looking for a tuna salad that doesn’t include mayonnaise? Here it is! This flavorful salad is quick and dairy-free. Grab a can of beans, tuna, herbs, and a red onion and you have a filling lunch or dinner. Serve as an open-face sandwich, over lettuce, or all on its own.

  • Tuna Pasta with Tomato and Olives

    Canned Tuna Pasta with Tomatoes and Olives

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Take a bold approach to tuna and pair it with tomato sauce, short pasta, and briny olives. This stunning meal is ready in 30 minutes. Use oil-packed tuna and serve with a simple green salad.

  • Tuna Salad Sandwich

    Open Face Tuna Salad Sandwich

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "Upgrade your tuna sammy with undrained oil-packed tuna and mix with mayo, cottage cheese, fresh herbs, and celery. Generously layer onto toasted bread and add lettuce. This recipe makes 1 to 2 sandwiches so double or triple to feed more or for leftovers, which last 3 to 4 days.

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  • Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole in cast iron skillet

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    This comforting casserole uses cream of mushroom soup, egg noodles, cheese, and of course, tuna. My childhood self can attest to loving this dish even without the added crunch of the potato chips on top.

  • Pan Bagnat (French Tuna Sandwich)

    A pan bagnat sandwich on brown paper, surrounded by a wine bottle and wine glasses

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    Channel your inner Emily in Paris and make this classic French sandwich. This tuna sandwich is pressed to ensure that all the ingredients meld into a mouthwatering meal. Best eaten the same day at room temperature.

  • Pasta with Tuna and Arugula

    Pasta with Tuna and Arugula

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    This simple pasta dish uses only seven ingredients and is on the table in 15 minutes. Use whatever long pasta you have in the pantry and while the pasta cooks, drain the tuna and mince garlic. Mix in the drained pasta and serve.

  • Crunchy Tuna Salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing

    Bowl of Asian Tuna Salad

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Skip the mayonnaise and make this tuna salad using rice vinegar and sesame oil along with radishes, ginger, and fresh herbs. Choose water-packed white tuna for the cleanest flavor. Serve over soba noodles or lettuce.

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  • Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole

    Pasta with Tuna and Tomato Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Raid the pantry and make this comforting tuna-lovers casserole. Pasta shells, tomato sauce, ricotta, and a can of tuna packed in oil are tucked into a casserole dish, topped with Parmesan cheese, and baked until bubbly. Delicious.

  • Pimento Tuna Salad

    Two slices of bread with tuna salad, next to carrot sticks and potato chips on a plate

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "Pimento is known for its little pop of sweetness and stunning bright red color, which I felt would make it a fantastic addition to my usual tuna salad recipe." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • Tuna Macaroni Salad

    Tuna macaroni salad in a serving bowl.

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    This tuna macaroni salad is chock full of crunchy bell peppers, celery, and lettuce, delighting your taste buds with an array of textures and flavors. Pack it in a lunchbox or serve at a backyard BBQ to the delight of friends and family.

  • Mediterranean Tuna Pasta

    Mediterranean Tuna Pasta

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    White tuna packed in olive oil delivers big tuna flavor in this easy 30-minute dinner. Warm fusilli pasta is incorporated into the kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella. For a cold pasta salad, substitute feta for the mozzarella and chill before serving.

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