If we need to get dinner on the table fast, we look to pantry all-stars like that little can of tuna fish. Since it's easy, cheap, and shelf-stable, we always keep a few cans (or jars) around for last-minute meals. And while our go-to tuna salad sandwich is always tasty, there are so many other ways to turn the contents of that can into tonight’s dinner.
Of course, tuna isn't the only canned fish in town. The combinations below work equally well with canned salmon or mackerel. Basically, if you can pop the top and flake it, you can mix it into one of these canned tuna recipes.
1. Tuna + Pasta
For an instant boost of filling protein in your carb-loaded pasta night, add a can of tuna. For a cold take, stir together the classic tuna-mayo mix, then combine with fusilli and some chopped raw vegetables for a light pasta salad. To keep it hot, mix a can into pasta sauce as you heat it; we love tuna in a classic tomato sauce, but you can also go simple with a no-cook sauce, combing tuna with olive oil, capers, olives, and herbs for a salsa verde approach. Or you can stir it into mac-and-cheese for a creamy, tuna casserole.
2. Tuna + Cheese
It’s just one step away from a tuna salad sandwich, but oh how that layer of cheese in a tuna melt makes all the difference. The classic—with red onion, celery, and cheddar—is favorite for good reason, but we like to switch the flavors up a bit, subbing the celery out for chopped fennel, which adds light, refreshing flavor. Or give tuna the cheesesteak treatment on long rolls with Swiss cheese and a red-pepper mayo.
Another cheesy tuna option: Skip the crab in crab rangoon, instead mixing tuna with cream cheese, scallions, and herbs, then stuff into wonton wrappers (you can make your own if you don't have any on hand) and fry.
Of course, there are a host of different takes on tuna casserole, like this one with Gruyere, dill, and leeks.
3. Tuna + Bread
What’s better than avocado toast? Tuna avocado toast. Mash up an avocado with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then gently stir in a can of tuna for a delicious double whammy. (Add a few slices of bacon and tomato for the ultimate BLTA.)
You can also go burger style, and pack that tuna into a patty to sandwich on a bun. Keep it simple by combining the tuna with breadcrumbs, mayo, and egg, or go big by making a red pepper–caper mayo, mixed right into the flaked fish.
Pan bagnat is a classic French tuna sandwich with anchovies and eggs, but you can turn it up, too, with a fennel and olive salad.
4. Tuna + Beans
Opening two cans is almost as easy as one, and it's worth the extra effort—tuna and white beans are a powerhouse duo of protein, fiber, and vitamins. It doesn't hurt that the combination is also delicious. Combine them in a salad with radicchio and chopped celery for a quick weeknight dinner; toss with cucumbers and tomatoes for a filling side; or stir tuna into a chunky Italian white bean soup instead of sausage.
