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Creamy Stovetop Tuna Mac and Cheese (Triple Cheese Skillet)

This one skillet tuna mac and cheese is the best tuna mac recipe you will make on a weeknight. It is creamy, protein packed, and ready in under 25 minutes with no oven required.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
no resting time required: 0 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 754kcal
Author: Anjali

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cup elbow macaroni
  • 2 cans solid white albacore tuna well drained
  • 1 cup Sharp Yellow Cheddar freshly grated
  • ½ cup Processed Cheese Velveeta works great too
  • 2 oz Cream Cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoon AP Flour
  • 1½ cup Whole Milk
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • ¼ cup Diced jalapenos drained
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • Salt & Pepper as per taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni 1 minute less than the package says so it stays al dente. Drain it well and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion powder, garlic powder. Saute for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until it turns a light golden color.
  • Slowly pour in the warmed whole milk while whisking constantly. Keep whisking so no lumps form. Let the sauce simmer on medium low for 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Turn the heat down to low. Add the smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Add the cream cheese first and stir until smooth. Then add the processed melting cheese, and finally the grated cheddar. Stir continuously until the sauce is completely smooth and glossy.
  • Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Flake the drained tuna into large chunks and fold it in last. Stir gently so the tuna stays in hearty pieces.
    Let everything sit on low heat for 1 minute to warm through. Garnish with green onions and serve straight from the skillet.

Notes

Do not overcook the tuna. Canned tuna is already fully cooked. It only needs the warmth of the sauce to heat through. Too much stirring will break it apart.
Keep the sauce loose. If the mac looks too thick after adding the pasta, splash in a tablespoon of warm milk or reserved pasta water to bring it back to a creamy consistency.
Grate your own cheese. This makes a real difference. Bagged shredded cheese will not melt as smoothly and can leave a grainy texture in the sauce.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Stovetop Tuna Mac and Cheese (Triple Cheese Skillet)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 754 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 92mg31%
Sodium 971mg42%
Potassium 774mg22%
Carbohydrates 67g22%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 50g100%
Vitamin A 873IU17%
Vitamin C 7mg8%
Calcium 542mg54%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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