Tuna melt mac and cheese from a box is a cross between the classic cheesy pasta dish and tuna noodle casserole. This hearty recipe is a family favorite that can be on your table in minutes.
I’m about to blow your mind.
Kraft mac and cheese is delicious on its own, but how would you feel if I told you I could make it into the best tuna casserole you’ve ever had?
Mind blown, right?
Right.
That’s exactly what this tuna melt mac and cheese is- a doctored up box of Kraft mac and cheese.
We’ve reinvented it to create a take on a classic that tastes better than both plain old mac and boxed Tuna Helper.
Ingredients
To make this you’ll need:
- Mac and cheese– Use the Kraft deluxe white cheddar version and discard the packet of herbs that comes with it.
- Butter– To saute your veggies in.
- Veggies– Diced yellow onion and sliced celery.
- Condensed soup– I recommend cream of mushroom but you could use whatever cream of you have on hand.
- Half and Half– Don’t substitute for a lower fat dairy product.
- Canned tuna– The kind canned in water not oil, lightly drained.
- Cheddar cheese– Shredded.
- French fried onions– For crunch and topping.
- Optional garnish– Fresh parsley leaves and chopped tomatoes.
How to Make
To make this easy tuna mac and cheese, start by cooking the pasta according to the package directions.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat.
Once it melts, sauté the onion and celery in the butter until they soften.
Then, stir in the cream of mushroom soup and half and half to the skillet.
Once the cream of mushroom soup and half and half is incorporated, stir in the shredded cheddar and the cheese sauce packet included with the pasta.
Then, gently stir in the tuna.
Remove the skillet from heat, and set aside.
Then, drain the cooked pasta, and transfer the hot pasta to the skillet.
Stir together until everything’s combined and creamy.
Lightly spray a small casserole dish with nonstick spray, and then transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to it.
Spread it out into an even layer.
Sprinkle the fried onions evenly out overtop.
Bake uncovered at 350° for 30 minutes. After baking, let the macaroni rest for 5-10 minutes to set up.
Top with fresh parsley leaves and chopped tomatoes, serve, and enjoy!
What Can I Serve With Boxed Mac And Cheese?
Turning boxed mac and cheese into a meal is super easy, and great for busy nights. Pair it with a simple side salad for an easy dinner the whole family can enjoy.
For lunch, serve it with a piece of crusty bread and a side of fruit.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
Tips and Tricks
- If you can’t find the white cheddar version, the regular cheddar cheese flavored Kraft Deluxe flavor will work!
- Don’t squeeze your can of tuna to death when draining, you want a little bit of the water to remain for flavoring.
- Don’t have cream of mushroom? Cream of chicken, onion, celery, or cheddar cheese all work too.
- I use a Dutch oven when making this dish to keep it all in one pot, reducing clean up.
- For added veggies, stir in a cup of frozen peas right before you stir in the tuna.
Other Easy Tuna Recipes
This tuna melt mac and cheese is a refreshing change from tuna salad sandwiches or plain old tuna casserole. Make it today and enjoy!
Looking for other easy tuna recipes? Try these:
If you’ve tried this TUNA MELT MAC AND CHEESE, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Tuna Melt Mac & Cheese From A Box
Ingredients
- 1 box Kraft deluxe white cheddar mac and cheese discard included herb packet
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 stalks celery thinly sliced
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1 can albacore tuna (in water) lightly drained
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup French's fried onions
- fresh parsley leaves for garnish
- chopped tomatoes for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Add the butter to a large skillet set over medium heat. When melted, add the onion and celery to the skillet. Sauté until softened.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup and half & half to the skillet, and stir to evenly incorporate with the sautéed veggies.
- Add the shredded cheddar and the cheese sauce packet included with the pasta to the skillet, again stirring to combine.
- Add the tuna to the skillet, stirring to evenly incorporate. Remove the skillet from heat, and set aside.
- Drain the cooked pasta, then transfer the hot pasta to the skillet. Stir together until everything's combined and creamy.
- Lightly spray a small casserole dish with nonstick spray, and then transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to it. Spread it out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the fried onions evenly out overtop.
- Bake uncovered at 350° for 30 minutes. After baking, let the macaroni rest for 5-10 minutes to set up.
- Top with fresh parsley leaves and chopped tomatoes, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- If you can't find the white cheddar version, the regular cheddar cheese flavored Kraft Deluxe flavor will work!
- Don't squeeze your can of tuna to death when draining, you want a little bit of the water to remain for flavoring.
- Don't have cream of mushroom? Cream of chicken, onion, celery, or cheddar cheese all work too.
- I use a Dutch oven when making this dish to keep it all in one pot, reducing clean up.
- For added veggies, stir in a cup of frozen peas right before you stir in the tuna.
Nutrition
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