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    Home » Dinner

    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper

    Published: Jun 8, 2021 · Modified: Feb 15, 2023 by Megan

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    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper on a green place topped with peas, broccoli and cheese. surrounded by bowls of peas, broccoli and cheese
    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper on a green place topped with peas, broccoli and cheese. surrounded by bowls of peas, broccoli and cheese
    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper on a green place topped with peas, broccoli and cheese. surrounded by bowls of peas, broccoli and cheese
    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper on a green place topped with peas, broccoli and cheese. surrounded by bowls of peas, broccoli and cheese

    This is a childhood classic! Creamy homemade tuna helper with plenty of broccoli, peas, and fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano. It's so good, it takes 15 minutes and uses only one pot.

    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper on a green place topped with peas, broccoli and cheese. surrounded by bowls of peas, broccoli and cheese this recipe

    This dish is an absolute childhood favorite of mine. I wanted to make a homemade version that was just as good as I remembered.

    And this is! I made sure the pasta sauce was super creamy, had lots of peas and broccoli, and plenty of tuna. Truly my childhood dream dinner.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to Make Homemade Tuna Helper
    • 🧀 Variations
    • 🥗 Sides
    • 🙋‍♀️ FAQ
    • ❤ Recipe

    🥘 Ingredients

    Fusilli Noodles: these spiral noodles will give you a look you want, but any noodles will work

    Frozen Broccoli: make sure to get the kind that is already cut

    Frozen Peas: I used half a bag, but you can adjust to your taste

    Canned Light Tuna: light tuna has a softer texture, smaller flakier pieces, and a stronger flavor

    Heavy Cream: for the creamy sauce

    Parmesan Cheese: to give it that classic taste

    Dill & Italian Seasoning: seasoned just like tuna helper

    Salt: helps to bring out the flavors

    Corn Starch: helps to thicken the sauce

    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper on a green place topped with peas, broccoli and cheese. surrounded by bowls of peas, broccoli and cheese

    🔪 How to Make Homemade Tuna Helper

    1. Cook Pasta: Cook pasta 2 minutes shy of al dente ( the pasta packaging will give you estimated times)

    2. Add Veggies: Add frozen broccoli and peas to the pot. Bring back to a boil and cook for 1 more minute.

    3. Drain: Drain water and return pasta and veggies back to the pot. Place the pot back on the burner, and turn to medium-low heat.

    4. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add in tuna, heavy cream, Parmesan, dill, Italian seasoning, salt, and corn starch. Mix. Let cook for 2-3 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the sauce thickens. Salt and pepper to taste.

    🧀 Variations

    Vegetables: You can add whatever frozen vegetable you have ( like carrots or corn) into this dish, I would keep the total amount to 12oz.

    🥗 Sides

    • Roasted Asparagus
    • Glazed Carrots
    • Fruit Salad
    • Side Salad

    🙋‍♀️ FAQ

    Can I use other pasta for homemade tuna helper?

    Use any pasta shape you want, including egg noodles.

    ❤ Recipe

    Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper on a green place topped with peas, broccoli and cheese. surrounded by bowls of peas, broccoli and cheese

    Creamy Tuna Casserole

    3 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Author: Megan
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    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz fusilli noodles
    • 6 oz frozen broccoli cuts
    • 6 oz frozen peas
    • 6 oz canned light tuna 2 cans
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 ½ cup parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill AND Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta 2 minutes shy of al dente ( the pasta packaging will give you estimated times). 
    • Add frozen broccoli and peas to the pot. Bring back to a boil and cook for 1 more minute. 
    • Drain water and return pasta and veggies back to the pot. Place pot back on the burner, turn to medium-low heat. 
    • Add in tuna, heavy cream, Parmesan, dill, Italian seasoning, salt, and corn starch. Mix. Let cook for 2-3 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the sauce thickens. Salt and pepper to taste.

    Video

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angel says

      February 23, 2022 at 10:07 pm

      3 stars
      The dill seasoning was a spot on component. However, the parmesan cheese seemed foreign to my memory of the boxed dish.

      Reply

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