Easy Tuna Mac & Cheese Casserole

This Easy Tuna Mac & Cheese Casserole is a dish even tuna haters will love. You only need a handful of ingredients to make it & it’s SO easy & cheap!!

Easy Tuna Mac & Cheese Casserole

Ok, so we’re in the first week of our pantry challenge!  

Sadly, I was hospitalized during the majority of this week though – so I won’t be giving an update this week for myself.  However, I want to hear YOUR updates!  Leave them in the comments!

I do want to share this recipe with you all though that’s PERFECT during a pantry challenge!  I first made this back in 2011 when I was on another pantry challenge, and it’s really good! I’m not a huge fan of tuna, but this – I love!  You really can’t even taste the tuna – this whole dish is perfectly balanced, easy, & so good.  You only need 5 ingredients & you probably already have everything on hand to make this already.  

This meal is a must-have to keep in your easy & cheap recipe arsenal!

Tuna & Rice Krispies?  Really?

Yes, you read that right.  Tuna & Rice Krispies.  I know what you are thinking!  EW!  Correct?  That’s what I thought too!  I mean, that doesn’t exactly sound like an appetizing combination.

Somehow, it actually is though.  I’m doing the pantry challenge, & I was down to NO meat in my freezer.  I usually have a little stockpile in there, but not this time.  I used most of my freezer meat stockpile in December as my budget has been pretty tight lately.  So, I was looking through my pantry & noticed that I have quite a few cans of tuna that need to be used, not to mention boxed macaroni & cheese.  So, to google I went & found this recipe for Tuna Casserole.

I was hesitant to make it, but decided all I could do was try it & see.  I am very glad I did.  It was really good!  Which was a pleasant surprise b/c I honestly expected it to go to the dogs.  Between the kids, husband, & myself – there was nothing left.

Interested?  Just a tiny bit?  Well, here is all you need.

The ingredients you need to make Easy Tuna Mac & Cheese Casserole

Very few ingredients making it a great ‘Straight from the Pantry’ recipe.

Make the macaroni & cheese according to the box directions.  Then stir in 1 can of drained tuna & 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup.

tuna Mac and cheese casserole

In a small skillet, saute 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 cup of slightly crushed Rice Krispies for about 3-5 minutes to lightly toast the cereal.

toasting Rice Krispies in butter on the skillet

Scoop the macaroni/tuna mixture into a casserole dish.  The original recipe did not call for cheese on top, nor did I include cheese in the ingredients photo, but I decided at this moment it needed some shredded cheddar on top!  Then top with the toasted Rice Krispies.

cheese on the easy tuna casserole

easy tuna casserole

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the Rice Krispies are nicely browned.

easy tuna mac & cheese casserole

It’s actually REALLY good!  Serve yourself up a helping or two – I think you’re gonna love it, even if you’re a tuna hater like I am.

tuna casserole

Easy Tuna Mac & Cheese Casserole

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box macaroni and cheese
  • 1 can light tuna packed in water – drained
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup Rice Krispies
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Shredded Cheddar cheese to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare macaroni and cheese according to directions on box. When it is done, stir in the cream of chicken soup & can of drained tuna. Slightly crush the Rice Krispies. In a frying pan on low heat, saute Rice Krispies in butter for 3-5 minutes. Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into casserole and spread evenly. Sprinkle on shredded cheese & then top with Rice Krispies. Bake on 400 degrees until cereal topping turns golden brown, about 15 minutes.

 

tuna casserole