This Tuna and Noodles recipe is so simple yet so crave-able! With just a few ingredients, this kid-friendly dinner is on the table in no time! They’ll love the taste and you’ll love how easy it is.

With canned tuna and elbow macaroni, this is a nostalgic recipe that screams comfort food. It’s a tasty dinner recipe that you can use whenever you need something quick and delicious.

A yellow and white bowl holding elbow noodles tossed with mayonnaise and tuna and topped with corn chips. — Let’s make this easy Tuna and Noodles Recipe!

Did your mom make tuna and noodles for you when you were a kid? Mine did and I LOVED it. I forgot about it for years but then remembered that it would be a fantastic meal idea for those super busy days.

As an adult, I love to make dishes, like this easy pasta recipe, that reminds me of what my mom used to make for us when I was little.

Why you’ll love this noodle recipe

Tuna Casserole is a classic dish and this Tuna and Noodles recipe basically takes the best parts and makes it its own dish. And it’s so much easier than a casserole!

Pasta is a staple in most homes, especially when you need to throw together a quick dinner. But this one uses tuna and a little mayo and kicks that traditional red sauce to the curb.

I may have recipes with mayonnaise on this site (like Mayo Cookies and Chocolate Mayo Cupcakes), but I HATE mayonnaise. This is one of two recipes I use mayo in.

So if you also don’t like this gloppy gross condiment, I implore you to give it a try at least once.

If your kids will tolerate a tuna sandwich, they’ll enjoy this dinner idea. Tuna is high in protein and low in fat so it’s a great way to fill up bellies.

In about 20 minutes, dinner is served! And best of all, you only dirty one pan!

Ingredients

A tray on a table with a jar of mayonnaise, a box of elbow macaroni and 2 cans of tuna. — What you need to make Tuna and Noodles.

See the printable recipe card below for full quantities.

Any kind of noodle will really work. But I like the bite of elbow noodles and the ratio of pasta to tuna works really well with it.

While they aren’t pictured, the seasoned salt and corn chips are essential to making this Tuna and Noodles recipe as delicious as possible. Do not skip!

How to Make Tuna and Noodles

A saucepan with cooked elbow noodles and tuna from a can being mixed in.

Step 1

To a medium-sized saucepan, boil water and make the elbow macaroni following the directions on the package. (Typically, it’s boil the noodles for about 10 minutes).

Drain the pasta.

Step 2

Add the mayonnaise and drained tuna.

Mix well, breaking up any large chunks of tuna as you go.

Step 3

Add seasoned salt, to taste.

A bowl on a table with elbow noodles mixed with tuna and mayo and topped with corn chips.

To serve

To serve, spoon a portion into a bowl. Top with corn chips. And EAT!

Corn chips are a MUST! The salt is perfect for this dish and the crunch adds another texture that you are sure to love!

The best part about this meal? It’s great cold the next day for lunch leftovers! My youngest son loves this dish and so do I! It’s on our shortlist of quick weeknight dinner ideas.

Tips

You can use a different type of noodle if you prefer. You can even use something like fettucine.
You can add in some peas and/or carrots to make it feel a little bit more like tuna casserole.
If you really can’t stomach mayonnaise, you can try Greek Yogurt (plain). That is what I use with my tuna for a sandwich. It will add a little more tang, but a pretty great substitute idea.
We know tuna melts are delicious so if you’re kid is into cheese, try sprinkling on some cheddar cheese along with the corn chips.

More easy dinner recipes

Tuna Noodles Recipe

This super simple Tuna and Noodles pasta dish makes a great lunch for the kids or a fast weeknight dinner idea!

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 17

Servings: servings

Calories: 577kcal

Author: Sharon Garofalow

Ingredients

▢ 16 oz. box of elbow pasta
▢ 10 oz. Tuna solid white albacore in water
▢ 1/4 cup mayo or more if you want this a little more moist
▢ seasoned salt to taste
▢ corn chips

Instructions

Cook your pasta like you normally would. (Follow directions on the package). Then drain.
Drain both cans of tuna and add to the cooked pasta.
Add 1/4 cup of mayo.
Stir well.
Sprinkle on the seasoned salt. Taste, add more as needed.
Place in a bowl and top with corn chips.

Notes

You can use a different type of noodle if you prefer. You can even use something like fettucine.
You can add in some peas and/or carrots to make it feel a little bit more like tuna casserole.
If you really can’t stomach mayonnaise, you can try Greek Yogurt (plain). That is what I use with my tuna for a sandwich. It will add a little more tang, but a pretty great substitute idea.
We know tuna melts are delicious so if you’re kid is into cheese, try sprinkling on some cheddar cheese along with the corn chips.