Tuna Twice Plan
Budget tuna appears in a melt, pasta salad, and casserole across the week. Canned tuna stretches far when paired with pantry staples.
Serves 2
3 recipes
88 min total cook/prep
Priced at Food 4 Less - Hammond Shopping Center
$77.52 combined ingredient estimate
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Lunch · Day 1
Tuna Melt Sandwich$25.04
Hot open-faced tuna sandwich with melted cheese.
Serves 2 · easy · 18 min
Ingredients & prices
- tuna $1.99
- bread $7.49
- cheese $3.99
- mayo $5.99
- lettuce (optional) $1.29
- pepper (optional) $4.29
How to prepare
About this recipe
Tuna Melt Sandwich is a hot open-faced lunch classic: creamy tuna salad topped with melted cheese on toasted bread. The broiler gives bubbly, golden cheese in minutes. This american recipe serves 2 and is rated easy difficulty. Plan about 10 minutes of prep and 8 minutes of cooking.
What you will need ready
- 2 can tuna
- 4 slice bread
- 4 slice cheese
- 3 tbsp mayo
- 1 cup lettuce (optional)
- 0.25 tsp pepper (optional)
Step-by-step
1. Drain 2 can tuna well and mix with 3 tbsp mayo and 0.25 tsp pepper until creamy.
2. Toast 4 slice bread until lightly golden.
3. Spread tuna mixture evenly on each slice.
4. Top with 4 slice cheese—one slice per piece of bread.
5. Heat broiler to high. Broil on a sheet pan 2–4 minutes until cheese bubbles and browns. Watch closely.
6. Remove carefully and cool 1 minute.
7. Serve with 1 cup lettuce on the side or tucked under the tuna.
8. Cut diagonally for easier eating.
9. Add lemon or dill to tuna mix for extra brightness if desired.
10. Serve immediately while cheese is stretchy.
Serving
Serve hot with pickles or tomato soup. Reheat briefly under the broiler if needed.
Cook tips
- Drain tuna thoroughly or mix will be watery.
- Broiler burns fast—stay at the oven.
- Room-temperature tuna spreads easier.
- Adjust mayo for preferred creaminess.
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Lunch · Day 4
Tuna Pasta Salad$24.54
Chilled pasta tossed with tuna, mayo, and crunchy celery.
Serves 4 · easy · 25 min
Ingredients & prices
- pasta $1.99
- tuna $1.99
- mayo $5.99
- celery $3.29
- salt $6.99
- pepper (optional) $4.29
How to prepare
About this recipe
Tuna Pasta Salad is a chilled picnic-style lunch: al dente pasta tossed with flaky tuna, crunchy celery, and creamy mayo. This american recipe serves 4 and is rated easy difficulty. Plan about 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking.
What you will need ready
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 can tuna
- 0.5 cup mayo
- 2 stalk celery
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp pepper (optional)
Step-by-step
1. Boil salted water. Cook 8 oz pasta al dente; drain and rinse briefly under cold water.
2. Spread pasta on a tray to cool completely.
3. Drain 2 can tuna and flake into a large bowl.
4. Dice 2 stalk celery small.
5. Add pasta, celery, 0.5 cup mayo, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp pepper; toss well.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning—cold dishes need a bit more salt.
7. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.
8. Toss again before serving; add mayo if dry.
9. Serve chilled.
10. Pack in airtight containers for lunches.
Serving
Serve with fruit. Keeps refrigerated up to 3 days.
Cook tips
- Cool pasta completely before mixing.
- Dry celery well.
- Al dente pasta holds up after chilling.
- Lemon brightens flavor if added.
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Dinner · Day 6
Tuna Noodle Casserole$27.94
Baked casserole with tuna, noodles, and creamy sauce.
Serves 4 · easy · 45 min
Ingredients & prices
- noodles $9.99
- tuna $1.99
- cream $3.99
- frozen vegetables $2.69
- breadcrumbs $5.99
- butter $3.29
How to prepare
About this recipe
Tuna Noodle Casserole is old-fashioned comfort food: egg noodles mixed with tuna, cream, vegetables, and a breadcrumb topping baked until bubbly. This american recipe serves 4 and is rated easy difficulty. Plan about 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.
What you will need ready
- 12 oz noodles
- 2 can tuna
- 1 cup cream
- 1.5 cup frozen vegetables
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp butter
Step-by-step
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook 12 oz noodles until just al dente; drain.
2. Drain 2 can tuna and flake into a large bowl.
3. Mix noodles, tuna, 1 cup cream, and 1.5 cup frozen vegetables in the bowl.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
6. Toss 0.5 cup breadcrumbs with melted 2 tbsp butter; sprinkle over top.
7. Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden.
8. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
9. Check center is hot throughout before serving.
10. Serve scooped from the dish.
Serving
Serve with green salad. Refrigerate leftovers 3 days; reheat covered in 350°F oven.
Cook tips
- Slightly undercook noodles—they finish in the oven.
- Drain tuna well.
- Buttered breadcrumbs brown better.
- Let rest so filling sets for cleaner scoops.