I love tinned tuna and luckily both my kids do too. It’s such an easy ingredient to work with as it’s already cooked and all you need to do is think of different ways to use it. I prefer to buy it in spring water rather than brine but if you can only get brine then I would try rinsing it off under some water first so it isn’t too salty. Also the one in sunflower oil is great for kids to add in a bit of fat for them. My 3 Easy Tuna Recipes are really so simple and taste totally delicious. In fact Mr My Mini Meals keeps asking me to make them for his dinner as he likes them so much. I hope you enjoy them as much as all the My Mini Meals family do!
Tuna Melt Couscous Muffins:
One of my all time favourite recipes is for my Tuna Melt Couscous Muffins. They have become really popular on Facebook and I get asked a lot about them! They really are so easy to make and really delicious. Just try not to eat them all yourself!!
Tuna and Broccoli Fishcakes:
These are possibly the easiest fishcakes you will ever make. I use broccoli in mine but you can actually use any veg you like and as they contain sweet potato they don’t really need any side dish with them.
1 120 g can of tuna
1 medium or 2 small sweet potatoes
A few florets of broccoli (fresh or frozen)
1 egg
Cook the sweet potato either in its skin in the microwave until soft and then scoop out the flesh and mash OR peel and cut into chunks and cook on the hob in a pan of water until soft and then mash. Cook the broccoli until it is soft then finely chop. Mix the tuna with the mashed sweet potato, chopped broccoli and the egg. Form into patty shapes and place on a well greased baking tray or non stick baking sheet in the oven on 190 degrees C for 20/25 mins turning half way through. They can be frozen wrapped in clingfilm.
Tuna and Veg Cheesey Pie:
I used to make a similar version of this when I was at University as it was a really filling and cheap dish to make that didn’t require much effort. It was very popular with my friends and recently I made it for Mr My Mini Meals and I and realised I could easily make it for the children. Even The Boy liked this so in my book that’s a success!
160g tuna (1 large tin)
1 handful grated cheese
30 g (1 oz) butter
30 g (1 oz) plain flour
300 ml milk (or milk alternative)
Handful of frozen or fresh peas and sweetcorn
1 handful breadcrumbs
Make a basic white sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over a low heat then take off the heat and stir in the flour until a paste is formed. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring or whisking constantly. Once the sauce has thickened add the cheese and stir until it is all melted. Flake the tuna then add to the cheese sauce. Cook the peas and sweetcorn (and any other veg) until soft then add to the tuna / cheese mix. Cook the potatoes in the microwave with skin on until soft OR peeled and cut into chunks in a pan of boiling water until soft. Once cooked mash the potato with some milk and butter. Put the tuna mix into a small oven proof dish then spoon the mash on top of it making sure all the tuna is covered. Sprinkle some grated cheese and breadcrumbs onto the potato then bake in the oven on 180 degrees c for 15-20 minutes until the top is browned and crispy. This can be frozen prior to cooking in the oven.
Just had big success with the tuna fish cakes (did cauliflower instead of broccoli) and they were eaten by a very fussy 3.5 yr old and younger brother!! Thanks so much! Do you think can be defrosted straight in microwave, or need to be taken out night before?
Will try more dishes!
Hi Tina – so pleased they were a success! I just take them out of freezer and pop them in microwave for 1-2mins on high and they’re fine. Thanks
Do you cook them on the oven then freeze and pop in microwave or free before the final oven cook?
Hi which ones are you referring to? Thanks