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13 Easy & Creative Recipes Using Canned Fish (Tuna, Anchovies & More)

From tuna to sardines, canned fish is having a moment—and it’s more delicious (and stylish) than you think. These creative recipes prove that pantry staples can totally slay.
13 Easy & Creative Recipes Using Canned Fish (Tuna, Anchovies & More)
13 Easy & Creative Recipes Using Canned Fish (Tuna, Anchovies & More)
SideChef
Welcome to SideChef's original recipes. Created from scratch in the SideChef Kitchen, where recipe inspiration and ingredient experimentation is a way of life.
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SideChef
Welcome to SideChef's original recipes. Created from scratch in the SideChef Kitchen, where recipe inspiration and ingredient experimentation is a way of life.
GO TO BLOG

Think canned fish is just for sad desk lunches? Think again. From tuna melts to tapas-ready anchovies, tinned seafood is having a serious glow-up. It’s convenient, affordable, packed with protein and omega-3s, and—bonus—often sustainably sourced.

Whether you’re working with classic tuna, trendy sardines, luxe mackerel, or briny anchovies, these recipes prove canned fish is here to stay.

1. Tangy Tuna Melt Panini Sandwich

Crispy golden bread, gooey cheese, and zesty tuna filling—this panini is comfort food with a tangy twist.

2. Open-Faced Sardine Sandwiches with Lemon & Herbs

Scandi-inspired and snack-board ready—fresh, flavorful, and effortlessly elegant.

3. Baked Tuna Croquettes with Fresh Dill

Golden and crispy outside, creamy and herby inside—tuna never tasted this good.

4. Anchovy and Shallot Focaccia Bread

Fluffy, savory, and bakery-chic—this focaccia is a salty dream for anchovy fans.

5. Panzanella Salad with White Anchovies & Burrata

A rustic Italian bread salad elevated with creamy burrata and briny anchovies.

6. Cheesy Tuna and Avocado Quesadillas

Creamy avocado meets melty cheese and tuna for a protein-packed twist on quesadillas.

7. Classic Niçoise Salad with Canned Tuna

A French bistro favorite—bright, colorful, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

8. Catalan Tomato Bread with Spanish Anchovies

A simple tapas classic—crusty bread, fresh tomatoes, and salty anchovies.

9. Spicy Tuna Dip with Cream Cheese & Chili

Bold, zesty, and creamy—this dip is a guaranteed party hit.

10. Easy Baked Tuna Cannelloni Pasta

Tender pasta tubes stuffed with rich tuna filling—classic comfort food.

11. Classic Spaghetti alla Puttanesca with Anchovies

A salty-spicy pasta packed with anchovies, olives, and capers—pantry cooking at its finest.

12. Saffron Quinoa with Asparagus & Tuna

Bright, aromatic, and protein-packed—a quick one-bowl wonder.

13. Stuffed Spanish Peppers with Tuna & Tomatoes

Colorful, tangy, and delicious hot or cold—perfect for picnics or tapas nights.

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