27 Canned Tuna Recipes That Go Way Beyond Tuna Salad
Tuna salad is a classic dish, but if you're wondering what to do with tuna beyond that old standby, you're in luck. There are plenty of more exciting canned tuna recipes, including flavorful pasta, flaky empanadas, open-faced sandwiches, and fresh salads that never see a drop of mayonnaise. Ahead, discover our 27 best tuna recipes that make for a refreshing lunch or dinner.
Photo by Danny Kim, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi1/27Spaghetti with Tuna, Tomatoes, Capers, and Basil
Serve this simple-to-prepare pasta with crusty bread and a glass of rosé. Briny capers and sweet tomatoes partner with tuna for an easy pasta that tastes like a beach vacation.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi5/27Radish and Carrot Salad with Tuna and Capers
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Katherine Sacks6/27Pan Bagnat Sandwich with Tuna, Anchovies, and Parsley
Romulo Yanes8/27White Bean and Tuna Salad with Radicchio
This colorful salad is fresh and filling—and it packs up well for a picnic. White beans and tuna are a classic combo that takes well to this Parsley Vinaigrette.
Photo by Lisa Hubbard9/27Tuna, Asparagus, and New Potato Salad with Chive Vinaigrette and Fried Capers
Rinne Allen10/27Freekeh and Frisée
The cracked green wheat called freekeh is used here because its faint grassy, oceanic aroma complements the tuna so well, but regular cracked wheat or, really, any other whole grain would work well, too.
Photo and Food Styling by Anna Stockwell12/27Spicy Tomato–Tuna Noodle Skillet Casserole With Aioli
If you're looking for comfort food, this tuna recipe delivers it in spades. The secret to making it great? Toast the dried pasta in oil until it's golden-brown, which gives it nutty flavor and plenty of texture.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson14/27Pantry Pasta Puttanesca
Keep these ingredients stocked in your pantry, and a briny, flavor-packed, classic Italian pasta will always be a dinner option.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell15/27Green Bean and Tuna Salad With Basil Dressing
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich17/27Any Way Niçoise
Levi Brown21/27Tuna, White Bean, and Red Onion Salad
This white bean salad is another one of our best canned tuna recipes. With just four ingredients, this salad really showcases the fish. With that in mind, use the best tuna fish you can find.
Photo by Pornchai Mittongtare.25/27Tuna and Fava Crostini
If you can't get your hands on the fresh fava beans that this canned tuna recipe calls for, feel free to swap in frozen—or try lima beans or edamame.
