Easy Macaroni Tuna Bake
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with delicious flavor, this Easy Macaroni Tuna Bake is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, flaky canned tuna, sweet bursts of peas, and a luscious homemade cheddar cheese sauce, it’s a meal the whole family will love. Topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of Parmesan, this baked casserole elevates simple pantry staples into a warm, hearty dish. Ready in under an hour with just 15 minutes of prep, this budget-friendly bake is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers the next day. Whether you're looking for a quick dinner idea or a satisfying make-ahead meal, this tuna mac and cheese casserole delivers ease, flavor, and coziness in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) canned tuna, drained
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to make a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and forms a smooth sauce. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, drained tuna, and frozen peas. Mix until evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy and the casserole is heated through.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your easy macaroni tuna bake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3478 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 138.8 g | 178% | |
| Saturated Fat | 74.9 g | 374% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 477 mg | 159% | |
| Sodium | 6090 mg | 265% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 345.7 g | 126% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.2 g | 79% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.6 g | ||
| Protein | 214.6 g | 429% | |
| Vitamin D | 25.7 mcg | 128% | |
| Calcium | 2578 mg | 198% | |
| Iron | 23.7 mg | 132% | |
| Potassium | 2149 mg | 46% | |
*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.
