Tuna Helper Recipe

Say goodbye to packaged mixes and hello to a deliciously easy way to get dinner on the table in only 35 minutes!

I have vivid memories of my younger days—the ones before marriage and kids—when creating meals on a budget ruled my grocery decisions—that and time, of course. Packaged mixes like Hamburger Helper and Tuna Helper were staples in my kitchen. Then, as life with young children got hectic, I turned to these colorful boxes again. However, as I became aware of the added ingredients in many packaged foods, my focus turned to making healthier, homemade versions of these meals. That’s one of the reasons why I love this tuna helper recipe.

The next reason is that this recipe creates a much cheesier version than the packaged products at the store. And by shredding your cheese from a block, you eliminate cellulose and other fillers in preshredded cheese that can hinder ideal melting. The result is the “ooiest, gooiest,” cheesiest meal you can imagine.

This recipe can be easily customized for various diets, such as using gluten-free versions of pasta and all-purpose flour, or switching to low-sodium vegetable broth. You could even use non-dairy versions of butter, half-and-half, and cheese to make a dairy-free meal.

The other thing that I like to do is add some vegetables to this meal. I grew up eating tuna noodle casserole with peas and corn. Either canned, drained versions, or frozen veggies will work in this recipe. If adding canned or leftover cooked vegetables, stir them in when adding the pasta and tuna. However, if you want to add frozen veggies, I highly recommend cooking them first and then mixing them in. This recipe doesn’t really allow time to cook frozen veggies in the sauce. Broccoli, carrots, green beans, and cauliflower are other excellent additions.

Pasta shapes that work best in this recipe

One of the reasons I like to use shell pasta in this tuna helper recipe is that the cheese and tuna work their way into the openings, so every bite is filled with a yummy surprise. Little shells have always been one of my favorite shapes. Orecchiette is my second favorite for this dish, as it also provides an ear-shaped resting place for the fillings. If you really want to have fun with this dish, try using rotelle—those cute little wagon wheel shapes. The tuna and cheese fill the spokes of the wheels for edible enjoyment.

Other options are tubular pasta shapes, such as paccheri, rigatoni, penne, ziti, and even elbow macaroni. Don’t confuse elbows with lumache—curved shapes that look like snails. They do a great job as a base for this dish, as well. Twirly pasta like fusilli, rotini, and gemelli can also work in this dish. My last recommended shape is farfalle—or little bow ties. These ruffle-edged pasta shapes also have crevices that are ideal to hold the tuna and cheese.

How do I store leftovers?

Allow leftovers from this tuna helper recipe to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I recommend reheating leftovers in the microwave for 45-second intervals—stirring after each cycle—until warmed through. You can also reheat it over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently. If necessary, a splash of broth may be added to thin the sauce. I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

Similar recipes to try

If you enjoy making dishes like this one, and want to try others in this easy-to-fix category, try Homemade Hamburger Helper and Crock-Pot Hamburger Helper. These dishes are sure to please your hungry family. A delicious, saucy, meaty option is this yummy Ground Beef Casserole. An equally good option that helps cut down on carbs is this Keto Instant-Pot Spaghetti Casserole, which delivers incredible flavor. If you crave a chilled meal, consider this Chicken Macaroni Salad, which is always a winner for lunch or dinner.