If there’s a comfort food that truly sparks nostalgia while satisfying hunger in a snap, it’s Homemade Tuna Helper. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender noodles, sweet peas, and hearty tuna, this dish comes together fast but feels like a warm hug after a long day. Whether you’re whipping up a family dinner or treating yourself to a fuss-free favorite, you’ll adore how this easy stovetop classic blends old-school vibes with fresh, bright flavor. Even better, it’s made with real ingredients you already have at home—no box required!

Homemade Tuna Helper Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything in Homemade Tuna Helper has a purpose, from flavor-boosting aromatics to the ooey-gooey cheese that brings it all together. These simple staples make for a creamy, crave-worthy meal you’ll want to put on repeat.

Unsalted Butter: Forms a rich base and helps sauté the onions for that cozy flavor foundation.
Finely Chopped Onion: Adds sweetness and an extra layer of savoriness that makes this feel homemade.
Minced Garlic: A little goes a long way in delivering aromatic depth to your sauce.
All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the sauce so your noodles get perfectly coated and creamy.
Milk: Brings luscious creaminess and melds all the flavors like a dream.
Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Provides savory backbone and keeps everything light (choose veggie broth for a pescatarian version).
Salt: Brightens and ties together all the flavors.
Black Pepper: Adds just a touch of heat and balance.
Paprika: For subtle warmth and that classic home-cooked color.
Uncooked Egg Noodles: The ultimate comfort food noodle; they soak up all that luscious sauce.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: The key to top-tier creaminess and that crave-able cheesy finish.
Canned Tuna in Water: The star of the show, it brings lean protein and ocean-bright flavor (drained and flaked for easy mixing).
Frozen Peas (thawed): Adds a pop of color, sweetness, and a burst of fresh flavor right at the end.

How to Make Homemade Tuna Helper

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by melting your butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Toss in those finely chopped onions and let them cook for about three minutes, stirring here and there, until they’re soft and fragrant. Now, add the garlic for a quick thirty seconds—just enough for it to release its tempting aroma. This combo sets up the mouthwatering flavor base that makes Homemade Tuna Helper stand out from the boxed stuff.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Roux

Sprinkle the flour right into the pan and stir constantly for one minute. This step cooks off any raw flour taste and thickens your sauce later. You want the mixture to look a bit like wet sand, but don’t let it brown—a pale roux is best for this dish.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Gradually add your milk and broth, whisking as you go to prevent lumps. Turn up the heat a notch and keep stirring until everything comes together. In about four minutes, you’ll notice your sauce thickening up to that just-right, creamy texture. Now it’s time to sprinkle in your salt, black pepper, and paprika, stirring to blend those cozy flavors straight into the sauce.

Step 4: Cook the Noodles

Stir in the uncooked egg noodles and bring the whole skillet to a gentle simmer—no rapid boiling needed. Pop the lid on, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks. The noodles will soak up those delicious flavors, turning velvety soft right in the pan.

Step 5: Add the Cheese, Tuna, and Peas

Once the noodles are tender, sprinkle in your shredded cheddar, stirring until every strand has melted into the sauce. Gently fold in your flaked tuna and thawed peas, letting everything heat through for 2 minutes. The result? A creamy, cozy skillet of Homemade Tuna Helper, ready to serve!

How to Serve Homemade Tuna Helper

Garnishes

A sprinkling of fresh parsley or sliced scallions goes a long way to brighten the finished dish. If you want a little zippy contrast, a punch of cracked black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving gives Homemade Tuna Helper a fresh, modern finish.

Side Dishes

Since Homemade Tuna Helper is creamy and hearty, a crisp green salad or roasted veggies are perfect, light sides. Or keep it totally classic with garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that luscious sauce—your taste buds will thank you.

Creative Ways to Present

Spoon it into individual ramekins and top with crunchy breadcrumbs for a modern twist on tuna casserole, or pile it into mugs for a cozy movie-night meal. Leftovers? Try spooning chilled Homemade Tuna Helper into lettuce wraps or stuffing it inside a bell pepper before a quick bake. The possibilities are endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any cooled Homemade Tuna Helper to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors even deepen overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch extra tempting.

Freezing

To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then spoon into a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. It’ll keep well for up to two months, but for best texture, freeze before adding the peas and cheese—stir those in after reheating for maximum creaminess.

Reheating

Homemade Tuna Helper reheats beautifully! Warm individual servings in the microwave, sprinkling in a splash of milk to revive the sauce. For larger batches, reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring often and adding a little extra milk or broth as needed.

FAQs

Can I use canned salmon instead of tuna?

Absolutely! Canned salmon is a tasty swap that pairs deliciously with all the creamy and cheesy notes in Homemade Tuna Helper. Just make sure to flake it well and remove any skin or bones.

Is it possible to make this gluten-free?

Yes—you can use your favorite gluten-free pasta and substitute a gluten-free flour blend for the roux. Keep an eye on the noodle cooking time, as gluten-free varieties sometimes need a little less or more time to become tender.

How do I make Homemade Tuna Helper extra creamy?

Try adding an extra splash of milk or a dollop of sour cream at the end. You can also stir in a bit more shredded cheese for an even richer sauce. And don’t forget: gentle heat when melting cheese prevents graininess.

What other veggies can I add?

Frozen corn, diced carrots, or steamed broccoli are all right at home in Homemade Tuna Helper. Just ensure veggies are pre-cooked or thawed before stirring them in at the end so everything heats through evenly.

Can I prep Homemade Tuna Helper in advance?

Definitely! You can measure and prep everything a day ahead. For best results, cook the noodles and sauce, then refrigerate separately from the tuna and peas, combining and reheating when you’re ready to serve. This keeps everything tasting freshly made.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a cozy classic that’s quick, easy, and endlessly comforting, Homemade Tuna Helper is the answer. It’s creamy, hearty, and completely satisfying—a recipe you’ll reach for again and again. Grab your favorite skillet and give it a try tonight; your taste buds will be so glad you did!

Homemade Tuna Helper Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Creamy, comforting, and easy to make, this Homemade Tuna Helper is a delicious stovetop dish that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Dish:

2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
2 cups uncooked egg noodles
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (12 oz) tuna in water, drained and flaked
1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Sprinkle in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Gradually whisk in milk and broth, cooking until sauce begins to thicken, about 4 minutes.
Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Add egg noodles and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender.
Stir in cheddar cheese until melted, then fold in tuna and peas.
Cook for 2 more minutes until heated through. Serve immediately.