Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

perfect kids dinner

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 5m
Cook Time: 12m
Total Time: 17m
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (9 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

402
Calories
6g
Fat
43mg
Cholesterol
522mg
Sodium
50g
Carbohydrate
34g
Protein
Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

Recipe Description

Tuna and Shells With Cheese is a super simple, yet super tasty pasta dish that will have your kids crying out for seconds. The recipe as it is written is quite plain, but you can add extra herbs or vegetables like peas or spinach for some added color. Sometimes I like to bake the pasta, sauce and tuna mixture in in the oven, topped with buttered breadcrumbs or fried onions. Bake for about 20-25 minutes at 350 °F until the sauce is hot and bubbling around the edges.

To make the basic recipe, start by cooking the pasta. As the pasta cooks, make the sauce by combining the American and Parmesan cheeses with milk in a saucepan and cook it until the cheese melts. Mix in the hot cooked pasta shells and the flaked tuna and stir well. Serve with a nice green salad or some garlic bread if you are feeling extra hungry!

To make my Tuna and Shells With Cheese, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Cook the pasta

    12 min
    Step 1 - Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

    Follow the package instructions to cook the pasta shells.

  2. 2

    Drain the pasta

    1 min
    Step 2 - Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

    Drain the pasta and rinse with warm water. Set to one side.

  3. 3

    Combine cheeses

    2 min
    Step 3 - Creamy Tuna and Shells with CheeseStep 3 - Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

    Place 8 ounces of shredded processed American cheese and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese in a saucepan. Add ½ a cup of milk and while stirring, cook the sauce over medium heat until the cheese melts.

  4. 4

    Add pasta and tuna

    1 min
    Step 4 - Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

    Add the cooked pasta shells and flaked tuna. Stir well until fully combined.

  5. 5

    Season to taste

    1 min
    Step 5 - Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

    Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  6. 6

    Serve

    Step 6 - Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese

    Serve the tuna pasta with garlic bread and/or a fresh green salad on the side.

This Tuna and Shells With Cheese dish is super simple and cheesy. Please come back and leave a review if you make this and don’t forget to tag #cookmerecipes in your pasta photos on instagram!

About the author

Jeff O'connor

Jeff is a 38-year-old bachelor who prefers not to waste his time on salads and light meals. He’s a true carnivore who knows how to enjoy food to the max! Jeff will tell you how to cook rich and filling meals from scratch, bringing some real meaty decadence to your kitchen. His recipes are sure to satisfy every meat lover!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Al
August 4, 2024
Verified

OMG, this Tuna and Shells is a lifesaver! Whipped it up for the fam and they couldn’t get enough! 😍

Zoe
November 2, 2023
Verified

Delicious! My kids devoured it and asked for more! A new family favorite for sure.

Marty
October 24, 2023
Verified

Simple, delicious, loved!

Quinn
October 10, 2023
Verified

I loved this Tuna and Shells recipe! It's so easy to make after a long day. I added some peas to it and my niece couldn't get enough!

Warren
October 4, 2023
Verified

Absolutely delicious meal!

Frankie
May 18, 2023
Verified

Superb! I tried this creamy tuna and shells recipe last night for dinner. It was super easy and tasted amazing! Even got some comments from friends about how it reminded them of childhood meals. Will definitely make it again soon!

Katie Anderson
September 27, 2022
Verified

Amazing dish for busy nights. My kids love it and it’s quick to make. I sometimes add peas for extra color. It’s a hit with the whole family and even my husband asks for seconds.

Ulysses Grant
December 29, 2021
Verified

I made this Creamy Tuna and Shells with Cheese for my kids and they loved it! It was so easy to prepare, and the cheese was just awesome. I added some spinach and baked it with breadcrumbs, and it turned out fantastic. A family favorite for sure!

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