17 Tuna Recipes for Easy Meals

One of our favorite tuna recipes? This nostalgic Tuna Pasta Salad! It’s creamy but not too rich, with a splash of white wine vinegar and a sprinkle of dried dill. It’s a seriously simple pantry meal that gives us cozy nostalgic vibes…and it works as a make-ahead lunch too. 

This tuna melt is the stuff dreams are made of. Between crusty bread is sandwiched a creamy, savory mess of tuna and crunchy veggies so perfectly seasoned that you won't be able to stop taking bites. Gooey cheddar cheese is sandwiched in with a juicy ripe tomato that gives the sandwich just the right height and heft. Here's how to make a tuna melt that will make you…melt.

We’re always looking for fast lunch and easy dinner ideas: and this one works for both. Introducing Mediterranean Tuna Salad! Combine canned tuna with crunchy vegetables, feta cheese, olive oil and a punch of Dijon mustard for the most flavorful salad to hit your plate! Serve it with crackers as an easy lunch, or over greens for a quick dinner with pita bread and olives.

Need mealtime inspiration? Here’s an easy tuna recipe that's always a massive hit in our house: Tuna Patties! Also known as tuna cakes, these unassuming burgers made of canned tuna might sound humble. But au contraire: they’re so savory on the inside and golden crispy on the outside, you won’t be able to resist another bite! This recipe is spiced with Old Bay, parsley and Dijon mustard, and it’s a total treat. 

Nicoise salad is a legendary tuna recipe: and for good reason! It’s a true treat, a stunning healthy Mediterranean diet lunch or dinner you'll never tire of. Boiled eggs, green beans, olives, tomatoes, and tangy potato salad sit on crunchy lettuce and are covered in a zesty lemon dressing. 

The best tuna salad? This one. It’s perfectly creamy, bright and tangy, and so irresistible you can’t stop eating it. One bite in, you’ll declare it “the best!” too. (Promise.) Tuna salad is such an inexpensive and easy lunch or dinner, it will become part of your everyday repertoire! Serve it as a sandwich, or with gluten-free crackers as a dip. Also try Tuna Salad with Egg.

Here’s a unique way to use a can of tuna…try Tuna Burgers! Tuna makes an unexpectedly excellent burger: thick and savory. Balanced on a bun with chipotle aioli and veggie toppings, it’s a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. Plus, it’s economical and a great alternative to red meat. 

Here’s a healthy tuna recipe to spice up your routine: avocado tuna salad! This spin swaps out the classic mayonnaise for nutrient-rich avocado. The flavor is so fresh and delicious, you may give up the mayo version altogether. It takes only a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes to put together. You can also serve it inside an avocado half!

Here's a Mediterranean-style tuna recipe that looks fancy...but takes only 10 minutes! Mix tuna with lemon and briny capers, and serve with spaghetti. It's a cheap meal to feed the family when you don’t have many fresh ingredients. Via Feel Good Foodie

Love a great tuna melt? Then why not add the filling into a bell pepper! These baked bell peppers are stuffed with tuna salad and topped with cheese for a tasty and easy dinner. They're much easier than a standard stuffed pepper recipe and will please everyone. Via Feel Good Foodie

What's a more classic tuna recipe than Tuna Noodle Casserole? This budget-friendly casserole stars flaky canned tuna, pasta, peas and cheese then topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a wonderful texture. Truly a family-favorite meal meant for busy weeknights! Via Immaculate Bites

Pair canned tuna with fiber-rich white beans for a healthy lunch or dinner idea! This salad is bright and healthy, covered in an herby dressing. Serve it on top of salad greens, or spoon it into an avocado for serving! Via Immaculate Bites

Here's a tuna recipe that's everything comfort food: Tuna Macaroni Salad! The creamy mayo-based dressing is sweet, tangy, and savory with pickle relish and mustard. Add peas and hard-boiled eggs, and it's a great tuna recipe for picnics, lunch, and dinner! Via Immaculate Bites

Let's move on to ahi tuna! This fresh variety of tuna is ideal for quick dinners and has the best rich, buttery texture and savory flavor. There's nothing quite like seared tuna as an easy dinner idea! It's irresistibly delicious and cooks in less than 5 minutes. Put it together with leftover veg or rice and you’ve got a quick dinner.

Got a great piece of ahi tuna? Let’s make tuna tartare! Pairing the bold flavors of soy sauce, lime and toasted sesame oil makes magic with this sushi-grade fish. It’s the ideal spread for crackers or toasts: eat it as an appetizer or as part of an easy dinner accessorized with a salad.

Tired of grilling burgers and salmon? Good, because here’s an incredible grilled dinner idea: grilled tuna steaks! Ahi tuna is rich and buttery. Seared perfectly on the outside, it tastes more like chicken or steak than fish! There’s nothing fishy about this tuna. Even better, it’s one of the quickest things you can cook. Just 1 to 2 minutes, and you’ve got dinner.

This Hawaiian bowl of seasoned raw fish, rice and crunchy veggies has caught on here on the mainland, and everybody’s doing it! Because poke is that good. And guess what? You can easily make poke bowls in the comfort of your own home. Here's how to whip up an easy poke bowl.