🥘 The creamiest, cheesiest tuna mac ever! 🧀🐟
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—this Tuna Mac & Cheese is the ultimate feel-good meal!
If you love classic mac & cheese but want to take it up a notch, this tuna twist is going to blow your mind. It’s ultra-creamy, loaded with melty cheese, and gets a little protein boost from tender tuna chunks.
Whether you’re making this for a lazy weeknight dinner, a cozy family meal, or a crowd-pleasing holiday side dish, this recipe has you covered. Plus, it tastes even better the next day (if you manage to have leftovers)!
🏆 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Super creamy & cheesy – The sauce is next-level gooey! 🧀
✔ Easy & quick – No fancy steps, just pure comfort food.
✔ Tuna adds protein – So you can pretend it’s healthy. 😆
✔ Bakes up beautifully – That golden cheese crust? Chef’s kiss!
✔ Great for meal prep – Leftovers reheat like a dream!
🍽️ Ingredients
-
500 g pasta (macaroni, fusilli, or penne)
-
200 g white cheese (mozzarella, gouda, or Monterey Jack)
-
200 g cheddar cheese (sharp for bold flavor)
-
2 tbsp flour (thickens the sauce)
-
2 tbsp butter (for richness)
-
500 ml milk (full-fat = creamier sauce)
-
Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg to taste
-
2 cans of tuna chunks (145 g each, drained)
-
Juice of ½ lemon (balances out the richness)
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of oil (optional, but helps prevent sticking).
- Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain (but don’t rinse it—starch helps the sauce cling better!).
2️⃣ Make That Dreamy Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute—this helps thicken the sauce.
- Slowly whisk in the milk while stirring constantly (no lumps allowed!).
- Keep cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Stir in a handful of white cheese and cheddar cheese, letting it melt into pure cheesy bliss.
- Season with salt, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
3️⃣ Add the Tuna & Lemon
- Remove the sauce from the heat.
- Stir in the drained tuna and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice—this gives it a little brightness!
4️⃣ Combine & Assemble
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a baking dish.
- Pour the cheesy tuna sauce over the pasta and mix until every piece is coated in creamy goodness.
5️⃣ Bake to Perfection
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
6️⃣ Serve & Dig In!
-
Let it cool slightly (if you can wait! 😆).
-
Serve hot and enjoy this melty, cheesy, ridiculously delicious mac & cheese!
🍽️ What to Serve It With
This dish is pure comfort food on its own, but if you want to make it a full meal, try pairing it with:
✅ Garlic Bread – Because carbs + carbs = happiness. 🥖
✅ A Simple Green Salad – To make yourself feel better about all the cheese. 🥗
✅ Steamed Veggies – Balance, right? 🥦
✅ Hot Sauce or Chili Flakes – If you love a little kick! 🔥
🔎 Pro Tips & Variations
🔹 Want a crispy topping? Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese before baking.
🔹 More flavor? Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the cheese sauce.
🔹 Extra creamy version? Swap half the milk for heavy cream.
🔹 Not a tuna fan? Use shredded rotisserie chicken or smoked salmon instead.
🔹 Gluten-free? Use GF pasta & flour, and you’re all set!
❓ Poll: What’s Your Mac & Cheese Must-Have?
🧀 Extra cheesy – The gooier, the better!
🐟 With tuna – This is the ultimate version!
🔥 Spicy & bold – Bring on the heat!
🍞 Crispy top – Gotta have that crunch!
(Vote in the comments below!)
🔥 Final Thoughts
This Tuna Mac & Cheese is warm, cheesy, and full of rich flavors—aka the ultimate comfort meal. Whether you’re making it for a quick dinner, meal prep, or a holiday gathering, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
📺 Watch the video here and subscribe to my channel for more easy, delicious recipes!
