Cheap Easy Tuna Dinner
Whip up a hearty and budget-friendly meal in just 30 minutes with this Cheap Easy Tuna Dinner! Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines pantry staples like canned tuna, pasta, and frozen peas with a creamy homemade cheese sauce made from milk, butter, and shredded cheddar. The rich blend of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper adds a comforting depth of flavor to this simple dish, while the cheesy roux ensures every bite is irresistibly velvety. With minimal prep time and affordable ingredients, this quick tuna pasta dinner is a crowd-pleaser the whole family will love. Great for stretching your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor, it’s a must-try for easy weeknight dinners!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cans (5 oz each) canned tuna
- 8 ounces pasta (such as elbow macaroni or spaghetti)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Add frozen peas to the boiling water during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, open and drain the canned tuna. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the drained tuna to the cheese sauce and stir gently to combine.
Pour the cheese sauce over the drained pasta and peas, and toss everything together until evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy your affordable and delicious tuna dinner!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
435 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.3 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.9 g | 59% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 84 mg | 28% | |
| Sodium | 713 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.7 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.4 g | ||
| Protein | 34.1 g | 68% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.5 mcg | 22% | |
| Calcium | 331 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 423 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
