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🧀 Ultimate Tuna Mac & Cheese – The Cheesiest Comfort Food Ever!

Rich, creamy, and cheesy comfort in every bite!

Baked Goods & Pasta Dishes 🥖🍕

🥘 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)!

A golden, bubbly serving of Tuna Mac & Cheese lifted from a baking dish, showing its creamy, cheesy layers.

🏆 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

Ingredients for ultimate tuna mac & cheese: pasta, canned tuna, shredded cheese, milk, butter, flour, spices, lemon, and seasoning placed neatly on a kitchen counter.

  • 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!

 

 

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What’s your favorite way to enjoy mac and cheese?

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Extra cheesy 🧀
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Spiced up with a kick of heat 🌶️
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