Use code TRIPLE10 to save $10 on your first three grocery orders.

22 Easy And Delicious Canned Tuna Recipes For A Tight Budget

Canned tuna is a pantry staple for any budget-minded cook. In this roundup, you'll find 22 easy and tasty canned tuna recipes to help you make the most of this affordable ingredient.
22 Easy And Delicious Canned Tuna Recipes For A Tight Budget
22 Easy And Delicious Canned Tuna Recipes For A Tight Budget
Anna at SideChef
Content Creator. Bitten by curiosity bug. Obsessed with words. Fuelled by coffee. Powered by Google. Love cheese, chocolate, and cherries. Don’t judge your taco by its price.
Love This Recipe?
Anna at SideChef
Content Creator. Bitten by curiosity bug. Obsessed with words. Fuelled by coffee. Powered by Google. Love cheese, chocolate, and cherries. Don’t judge your taco by its price.

Canned tuna is a budget-friendly pantry staple. It's affordable and versatile, making it a fantastic ingredient to cook with. If you're looking for a way to stretch your food budget, canned tuna is a great ingredient to add to your rotation.

You can always make a classic tuna salad or melt, but many inventive recipes use canned tuna. With a bit of creativity, canned tuna can be transformed into various delicious dishes.

From casseroles to pasta, there's something for everyone in this list of 22 easy and delicious canned tuna recipes!

1. The Best Tuna Casserole

EASYPEANUT-FREE

Pimento Cornflake Tuna Casserole

Lauren Holdcroft at SideChef

In this Tuna Casserole recipe, we elevate the classic weeknight favorite with pimento, green bell pepper, and a crunchy garlic parmesan topping made from breakfast cereal!

2. Tuna Pasta

EASYLOW-FAT

Tuna Pasta

Vincenzo's Plate

In 20 minutes and with only a handful of simple ingredients, you can have the flavors of the Mediterranean on your table. This is a foolproof recipe you should add to your rotation.

3. Canned Tuna Laksa

LOW-FATPEANUT-FREE

Canned Tuna and Sambal Penang-Inspired Laksa

Electrolux

Laksa is a famous spicy noodle soup from Southeast Asia; this canned tuna and sambal-Penang-inspired laksa is a super easy do-it-at-home recipe for a busy weeknight - quick, simple, and satisfying.

4. Venezuelan Tuna and Fried Plantain Bake

EASYLOW-FAT

Venezuelan Tuna & Fried Plantain Bake

Mi Terruño Food

The combination of the savory from the tuna, the sweetness of the ripe sweet plantain, and the freshness of the herbs and lime is just classic Venezuelan creole cuisine. This recipe is so inexpensive that it's an excellent option for family cooking. It is filling, really yummy, and very comforting, the best thing when coming home after a hard day's work.

5. Tuna Pasta Salad

EASYLOW-FAT

Tuna Pasta Salad

Vincenzo's Plate

Tuna Pasta Salad is the easiest recipe you will ever make. Fresh, crunchy vegetables with tuna and mayo. This salad will make you a star at any potluck party. It will be your new favorite side dish for big holiday family dinners. It's good for picnics, lunches, dinners... This tuna pasta salad is so delicious; it's just good for any occasion!

6. Kale and Tuna Salad

LOW-FATPEANUT-FREE

Massaged Kale and Tuna Salad

De Ma Cuisine

If you're looking for a healthier tuna salad option, try this one with massaged kale, carrots, apples, and a delicious balsamic dressing.

7. Tuna Deviled Eggs

EASYLOW-FAT

Tuna Deviled Eggs

Spanish Recipes with Sofia

This super easy recipe is fantastic. Works well as a protein-packed snack or a dish at your next potluck.

8. Tuna and Avocado Quesadillas

EASYLOW-FAT

Tuna and Avocado Quesadillas

One Pot Chef Show

Tuna and Avocado Quesadillas are a delicious lunchtime treat inspired by the classic Mexican dish. Tortillas are sandwiched with mashed avocado, tuna, baby spinach, and cheese and pan-fried until crisp and golden - a perfect option for lunch or a midday snack.

9. Tuna White Bean Puttanesca

LOW-FATPEANUT-FREE

Tuna White Bean Puttanesca

Garlic & Zest

This healthy, tasty, low-carb, high-protein lunch is a flavor-popping way to amp up a standard salad. Each component brings its bold flavor and texture, with sun-dried tomatoes adding just the right sweetness and chew, while cannellini beans provide fiber and protein with a creamy mouthfeel. Olives for that briny touch and a can of tuna, flaked into the salad, round out the sock-it-to-me flavors.

10. Tuna Tacos

LOW-FATPEANUT-FREE

Soft Tuna Tacos

Simple. Tasty. Good.

It only takes one hour from start to finish to serve these delicious soft tuna tacos! And that includes making your very own soft taco shells from scratch.

11. Spanish Tuna Cakes with Garlic Yogurt Aioli

PEANUT-FREETREE NUT-FREE

Spicy Spanish Tuna Cakes with Garlic Yogurt Aioli

Spain on a Fork

This dish is loaded with flavor, uses simple ingredients, and comes together within 30 minutes.

12. Layered Tuna Salad

PEANUT-FREETREE NUT-FREE

Mimoza - Layered Tuna Salad

Olga's Flavor Factory

Mimosa is a delicious Russian layered salad often served during celebrations and holidays. It makes for a beautiful presentation with affordable, simple ingredients - easy, pretty, and delicious.

13. Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwich

LOW-FATPEANUT-FREE

Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Garlic & Zest

This is not a plain old tuna and mayo combination. This one has spicy jalapeno, cilantro, and lime for a fresh, light flavor!

14. Tuna Melt Panini

EASYLOW-FAT

Tangy Tuna Melt Panini

Food Guru

You can't go wrong with a classic tuna melt. This one has a bit of extra zest from capers and comforting warmth from paprika.

15. Saffron Quinoa with Asparagus and Tuna

PEANUT-FREETREE NUT-FREE

Saffron Quinoa with Asparagus and Tuna

Spain on a Fork

This incredible Saffron Quinoa with Asparagus and Tuna is ideal for a busy weeknight or for a Sunday lunch. It's loaded with layers of flavors, easy to make, and done in 30 minutes.

16. Easy Tuna Cannelloni

EASYLOW-FAT

Easy Tuna Cannelloni

Cocina Familiar

For those weeknight dinners where you don't know what to make, this easy recipe will satisfy the whole family for dinner!

17. Baked Tuna Croquettes

EASYLOW-FAT

Baked Tuna Croquettes with Dill

Mi Terruño Food

This a delicious, healthy, easy, and inexpensive tuna croquette recipe with fresh dill. The combination of the tuna with the dill gives this recipe a superb lift. Make it for dinner, lunch, or as a finger food appetizer for any party.

18. Tuna Poke Bowl

EASYLOW-FAT

"End of the Month" Tuna Poke Bowl

SideChef

This canned tuna poke bowl recipe will come in handy when you are on a tight budget. Canned tuna replaces the traditional raw fish you'd usually find in a poke bowl to create a simple yet delicious tuna and rice bowl that might just be the answer to all your problems.

19. Stuffed Peppers with Tuna and Tomatoes

EASYLOW-FAT

Stuffed Spanish Peppers with Tuna and Tomatoes

Spain on a Fork

The perfect dish for a busy weeknight, plus they’re packed with nutrients, naturally gluten-free, and low-carb! Use peppers that are all similar in size so they cook evenly.

20. Lettuce Wraps with Tuna and Avocado

EASYLOW-FAT

Lettuce Wraps with Spanish Tuna and Avocado

Spain on a Fork

Whether you're on a low-carb diet or just looking for something delicious, these Lettuce Wraps with Spanish Tuna and Avocado will be your jam. It is loaded with so many flavors, easy to make, and done in well under 30 minutes. Plus, there is no cooking!

21. Tuna Pasta Sauce

EASYPEANUT-FREE

Tuna Pasta Sauce

Simple. Tasty. Good.

In just 15 minutes and with a handful of affordable ingredients, you will have a delicious sauce to pour over any pasta of your choice.

22. Healthy Stuffed Tomatoes with Tuna, Ham, and Brown Rice

EASYLOW-FAT

Healthy Stuffed Tomatoes with Tuna, Ham, and Brown Rice

The Fit Mediterranean

Make-ahead dishes like this are a lifesaver for busy weeknight dinners or parties. This colorful, simple, and super tasty meal features some basic Mediterranean ingredients: tomatoes, capers, tuna, and olives with lots of extra virgin olive oil. To make this dish even healthier with more fiber, we add brown rice, but you can replace that with simple white rice, quinoa, or couscous.

21 Easy Casserole Recipes You Can Throw Together And Enjoy In No Time

Jonny Tang at SideChef

38 Cheap Dinner Ideas Under 10$ to Feed Your Entire Family

Anna at SideChef

6 Cheap and Easy Meals To Get You Through Your 20s

Anna at SideChef

13 Budget Friendly Breakfast Recipes That Cost Less Than $1

Anna at SideChef
PREMIUM

Back to Basics

Budget Bytes

Comforting Lasagna

Beverly Ng at SideChef

Viva La Pizza!

Beverly Ng at SideChef

12 Dishes to Make You Go Bananas

SideChef

Presto! Pesto Collection

SideChef

15 Ultimate Summer Popsicle Recipes

SideChef

Healthy Smoothies

SideChef

Homemade Spice Blend Mix & Recipes

SideChef