Tuna Melt Mac & Cheese

Tuna Melt Mac & Cheese using chickpea lentil pasta delivers a healthy version of a long time family favorite.  This nutritious dinner will not only be quick and easy; it’s also perfect for saving those extra food dollars each month.

Tuna Melt Mac & Cheese | Simply Fresh Dinners

Did you know that Chickapea now has Mac & Cheese?!  Yessss!   Just when I think I’ve hit the pasta jackpot, they up the stakes – perfect.

I stopped eating boxed mac & cheese long ago but now I can go back but this time it’s guilt-free and extra delicious.

The thing I love most about Mac & Cheese is that you can have it stand alone or add your favorite ingredients.  This time I decided to do a take on a tuna melt without the bread – just clean ingredients for your family.

This recipe couldn’t be easier and the flavor will have your family bursting into spontaneous applause at the table – no, really – they will!  You can also change this up to make it your own.  I used mozzarella cheese on top but you can use swiss, white cheddar, or parmesan.

I’m adding new Mac & Cheese recipes to the Chickapea website all the time.  Coming up next:
  •  Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese | Simply Fresh Dinners

  • Mac & Cheese with Spinach, Feta and Fire Roasted Tomatoes

Mac & Cheese with Spinach, Feta and Fire Roasted Tomatoes

What are you doing to your Mac & Cheese?  Do you like it all by itself?  Delicious!  Or do you tend to add ingredients to stretch out your family dinners and dollars?  Show me what you’re up to on Instagram by hashtagging #simplyfreshdinners and @simplyfreshdinners to I can share your creations with my readers!

Tuna Mac and Cheese

Tuna Melt Mac & Cheese using chickpea lentil pasta delivers a healthy version of a long-time family favorite.  This nutritious dinner will not only be quick and easy; it’s also perfect for saving those extra food dollars each month.

  • 12 ounces Chickapea Mac & Cheese (2 boxes)
  • 1 rib celery, diced
  • 1 can tuna (I use Wild Planet)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
  • fresh parsley, small handful, chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F

  2. Combine tuna, green onions and celery in a bowl.  Salt and pepper to taste.

  3. Cook Mac & Cheese according to package instructions.  Drain and return to pot. Add tuna mixture and stir to combine well.

  4. In a medium sized casserole dish, pour mixture and top with sliced tomatoes and cheese.

  5. Bake for 10 minutes, turning to Broil setting for an additional 3 minutes at the end.  Top with parsley if desired and serve.

Bell peppers would be a good addition to this.

I recommend using green onions for the recipe but I didn’t have any at he time so I used sweet onion the first time I made it. Both equally delicious.

Swiss or Parmesan cheese would be a good alternative cheese topping.

Use chickpea lentil pasta for a healthy alternative of a family favorite.

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22 Comments

  • Reply
    John/Kitchen Riffs
    January 10, 2018 at 11:15 am

    What an interesting dish! Lot of different flavors going on here — sounds SO good! Really creative — thanks.
    John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Cuban-Style Black Bean SoupMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      January 10, 2018 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks, John. I love that Chickapea has a mac & cheese that is healthy. Nothing like nutritious comfort food!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuna Melt Mac & CheeseMy Profile

  • Reply
    marcie
    January 10, 2018 at 11:38 am

    You’ve just upped the mac ‘n cheese game Robyn! I love this play on tuna melts and the other flavors you’ve added to the site look amazing as well. I can’t wait to get my hands on some!
    marcie recently posted…Easy White Bean and Kale SoupMy Profile

  • Reply
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
    January 10, 2018 at 11:55 am

    You’re like the queen of mac and cheese! This looks SO SO SO delicious and I can’t wait to get a big bowlful in my face ASAP! Love that it uses lentil-chickpea pasta instead of the conventional stuff – such a great pasta!
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons recently posted…Quick Fridge Pickled VegetablesMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      January 10, 2018 at 12:13 pm

      It’s been so long since I’ve had mac & cheese, Jenn! This was a lot of fun to make and even more fun to eat! lol
      Robyn recently posted…Tuna Melt Mac & CheeseMy Profile

  • Reply
    GiGi Eats
    January 10, 2018 at 11:59 am

    You do realize, if I could eat cheese……. I would scarf this ENTIRE recipe because as we both know, I am a TUNA (and fish in general) FREAK and actually when I was a kid, I did like tuna Mac and cheese!!

    • Reply
      Robyn
      January 10, 2018 at 12:14 pm

      I remember my mom used to make tuna casserole with chips on top, hahaha. I haven’t had it in a long time but I really loved tinkering with this experiment!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuna Melt Mac & CheeseMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mahy
    January 10, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    I am so making this!! Like totally! My oldest loves this combo and my hubby too, so I’ll be surprising them with it 🙂 Plus I’ve been lucky to try the Chickapea mac n cheese and LOVED it!!

  • Reply
    Tania Sheff
    January 10, 2018 at 4:19 pm

    Incredible! I have never had mac & cheese with tuna before, so now I am intrigued. 🙂
    Tania Sheff recently posted…Shredded Carrot Salad with CranberriesMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      January 11, 2018 at 8:10 am

      I had never had it either, Tania, but I certainly loved tuna casseroles growing up. My mom used to put crumpled up potato chips on it for the last few minutes then put it under the broiler! That horrifies me now, hahaha!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuna Melt Mac & CheeseMy Profile

  • Reply
    Izzy @ She Likes Food
    January 10, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    This is the perfect way to use Mac and cheese! It looks delicious and perfect for some comfort food! We finally got some cold weather today so this is perfect 🙂

    • Reply
      Robyn
      January 11, 2018 at 8:12 am

      LOL, Izzy, be careful what you wish for! People here are getting pretty grumpy, ha!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuna Melt Mac & CheeseMy Profile

  • Reply
    Regina
    January 11, 2018 at 1:28 am

    What a perfect classic turned healthy!! I can’t wait to try Chickapea’s Mac & Cheese
    Regina recently posted…Paleo Sweet Potato Muffins – VIDEOMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tricia @ Saving Room for Desserrt
    January 11, 2018 at 8:11 am

    I would love to try this Chickapea Mac & Cheese – and I love your way you dressed it up into a wholesome, delicious meal! Hope you had a wonderful holiday Robyn – Happy 2018!
    Tricia @ Saving Room for Desserrt recently posted…Broccoli & Chicken Alfredo BakeMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      January 11, 2018 at 8:14 am

      Hiya Tricia!

      My holidays were so relaxing that I’ve found it hard to get back to work, lol. How were yours? This dish was fun to put together. Your broccoli and chicken alfredo bake sounds amazing. I’ve got to check it out!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuna Melt Mac & CheeseMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sarah | Well and Full
    January 11, 2018 at 1:09 pm

    I love a recipe that’s delicious and can be done on a budget!! Genius, Robyn!

  • Reply
    nocrumbsleft
    January 11, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    Love this mac n cheese recipe! Can’t wait to try it myself!
    nocrumbsleft recently posted…Ballarini Como Fry Pan GiveawayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kristen @ The Endless Meal
    January 23, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    Chickapea pasta is our family’s favorite!! I have some in my pantry and can’t wait to try it in this recipe!!
    Kristen @ The Endless Meal recently posted…Loaded Butternut Squash Zig Zag Taco Salad FriesMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      January 29, 2018 at 8:23 am

      Thanks, Kristen. So much fun to make this!

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