Quick, tasty meals to make with a can of tuna when your fridge is nearly empty and time is short
When it comes to ingredients that can save a meal at the last minute, look no further than… a can of tuna!
There’s almost always one sitting in a cupboard somewhere. It waits patiently for its moment, tucked away between the pasta, rice, and canned tomatoes. And then one evening, when the fridge is a little empty and your desire to cook is close to zero, it suddenly becomes your best ally :)
Because yes, with a simple can of tuna, you can make so much more than just a quick salad. Rillettes, quiche, cake, pasta, sandwiches, samosas, stuffed eggs, mixed salad… canned tuna is convenient, economical, easy to pair with other ingredients, and perfect for improvising.
All it takes is a little lemon, some cream cheese, tomatoes, potatoes, or puff pastry to turn this little can into a truly gourmet meal.
For the appetizers, we're going with rillettes and canapés
If you have unexpected guests, a can of tuna is definitely your friend. Mixed with cream cheese, a little lemon juice, chives, or parsley, it becomes a quick spread to serve with toast, crackers, or vegetable sticks.
You can also use it as a filling for appetizer rolls, samosas, or savory mini muffins. It’s simple, quick, and a nice change from last-minute chips. The kind of little recipes you put on the table saying, “I just whipped this up”… and that disappear in five minutes ;)
When it comes to flavor combinations, tuna and tomato have proven themselves! Enjoy integrating them into this extra easy samosa recipe that results in a perfectly crispy treat! Perfect for appetizers, they will delight your guests' taste buds, easily...
When added to a salad, it instantly makes the meal more satisfying
Tuna salad is a classic… but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! With potatoes, rice, tomatoes, olives, hard-boiled eggs, or a few fresh herbs, it becomes a complete meal.
It’s also a great option for lunchboxes. Tuna adds flavor, blends easily with starchy ingredients, and lets you make a filling salad without spending a lot of time cooking. Add a nice lemony vinaigrette, a little mustard, or a few capers, and it instantly perks the whole dish up.
Our little Ptitchef tip: if you’re preparing your salad ahead of time, keep the dressing separate and add it at the last minute. That prevents the salad from getting all soggy at the bottom of the container :)
Hotter days call for refreshing and nutritious salads like this potato and tuna salad. Easy to prepare, it is ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for making an appetizer before the meal. Check out our recipe below:
Let's make a rice salad : add some tuna, sun-dried tomatoes and olives to add a Mediterranean touch to it !
Farro and tuna salad is a fresh, balanced dish that is perfect for any occasion. Great as a light lunch, meal to take to work or quick dinner, it is an ideal choice for those who want to eat healthy without sacrificing taste. In our version,...
With pasta, it's the ultimate quick dinner
Pasta, a can of tuna, a drizzle of olive oil, lemon, a little garlic or tomato sauce… and there you have it: a meal ready in just a few minutes. Honestly, it doesn’t get much more convenient than that.
Tuna pairs really well with pasta because it adds flavor right away. You can go for a simple version with tomato, a fresher version with lemon and herbs, or a more original version with nuts like pistachios.
The little secret, as is often the case with pasta: save a ladleful of the cooking water. It helps thicken the sauce and keeps the dish from getting too dry. Yes, even with a can of tuna, this little trick makes all the difference ;)
When you have no ideas for dinner, nothing beats a good plate of pasta! To make it even more flavorful, pair it with a sauce. Here we offer you an incredibly easy tuna sauce! Proof that the simplest things are often the best ;-) A meal that the whole...
We're done with carbonara and bolognese sauce huh... We often want to change the sauce but we never know which ingredients to go for. Today we offer you a new association that you should like: tuna + pistachio + lemon. With maxi pasta where the...
Whether in a quiche, cake, or savory flan, it’s perfect for making ahead of time
Canned tuna is perfect for recipes meant to be shared. A tuna quiche, a savory cake, muffins, or small flans: these are exactly the kinds of dishes you can prepare in advance and serve hot, warm, or cold.
It’s perfect for a dinner paired with a green salad, a picnic, a cocktail party, or to pack in a lunchbox. Plus, you can easily add whatever you have on hand: tomatoes, feta, olives, herbs, shredded cheese, corn…
For an even moister cake, just be sure to drain the tuna well before adding it. Otherwise, it might release a little too much liquid into the batter.
Easy to make, this quiche combining the perfect blend of tuna and tomato will delight you for dinner. Quick to prepare, as we don't always have time to cook, a slice of this quiche accompanied by a mixed salad will make a perfect balanced meal. If...
For an easy and quick meal, why not make a tuna cake? This recipe is quick to prepare and hassle-free when you're short on ideas. Serve it with a mixed salad and you're all set! This recipe will also please your guests during appetizers. Keep it in...
For a soft and original appetizer, try our tuna, tomato, and feta muffins! Easy to make, they will find their place among your chips and peanuts. You can also take them on a picnic or serve them with a mixed salad for a simple dinner. Step by step,...
In a sandwich or wrap, it's a lifesaver for busy lunchtimes
When you don’t have time to cook, tuna works great in a sandwich, too. With a little cream cheese, avocado, tomatoes, a few capers, or some lettuce, you get a quick meal that’s much more satisfying than a sandwich you grab on the run.
And for an even more indulgent version, you can slip it into a panini. The bread gets crispy, the filling warm and melt-in-your-mouth… in short, that can of tuna instantly feels like a well-prepared lunch :)
We bring you an extension of avocado toast, in a triple sandwich version. Perfect for a light meal, a picnic, or a quick dinner. Are you in?
A tuna panini that we love at Ptitchef! Paired with tomato sauce, you'll get a hint of spiciness and acidity from the red onion and capers. A perfect mix for a quick movie night platter, to be devoured with your fingers ;-)
For a change, let's try some international recipes
A can of tuna can also take you on a little culinary journey. Whether in empanadas, empanadillas, Japanese onigiri, or crispy fritters, it easily transforms into an original recipe.
It’s a great idea when you want to move beyond the classic “tuna-mayo-lettuce” trio and serve something a little different, without any complicated ingredients. With some dough, rice, a few spices, or a crispy finish, tuna takes on a whole new dimension.
And again, there’s no need to overcomplicate things: a well-drained can of tuna, some good seasoning, and you’re all set!
When we think of Japanese culinary culture, we obviously think of sushi , ramen and even the famous Okonomiyaki omelette... But what we particularly adore is the onigiri ! This little triangle of rice is the ideal snack for an on-the-go lunch,...
Beware, here's our new aperitif addiction : super-easy and quick tuna fritters made with the Air Fryer! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they can be served as an aperitif with a yoghurt sauce , or accompanied by a green salad for a...
Should we open this can of tuna? ;)
All in all, canned tuna really has it all. It has a long shelf life, is quick to prepare, and can be added to salads, pasta, cakes, quiches, open-faced sandwiches, regular sandwiches, and even more creative recipes.
It’s the perfect ingredient when you want to cook without overthinking it, but still treat yourself. And with a few pantry staples, you can whip up a complete meal in no time.
Now that you know all this, all that’s left is to check your pantry… There’s surely a can of tuna waiting for its moment to shine ;)
Adèle Peyches
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