How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

  • Categories
  • Food and Entertaining
  • Recipes
  • Fish and Seafood
  • Tuna

Download Article

Explore this Article

methods

Ingredients

1On the Stove

2In the Oven

Other Sections

VideoWATCH NOW

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

Article Summary

12 Recipe Ratings

Author Info

Last Updated: June 17, 2024Tested

Download Article

ARTICLE

VIDEO

On the stove or in the oven, Tuna Helper® is a great meal for kids and the family. It also makes a great dish for a picnic, potluck dinner or portioned out for lunches.

Ingredients

On the Stove

  • 2 1/4 cups of water
  • 1 1/2 cups of milk
  • One 6oz can of tuna
  • 1 box Tuna Helper® box, which contains noodles and seasoning package
  • 4 tablespoons of butter (1/2 stick is 4 TBSP)

In the Oven

  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1 3/4 cups milk
  • 3 tb butter or margarine
  • 2 (5 oz) cans tuna, drained
  • 5.5 oz box Tuna Helper®

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

On the Stove

Download Article

  1. 1

    Put the heat on medium to high heat. Put the butter in the saucepan for it to melt.

  2. How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (5)

    2

    Pour the pasta noodles and seasoning package into the pan.

    Advertisem*nt

  3. How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Pour, at a slow rate, the milk and water into the pan. This is to avoid any splashing. Gently sprinkle and put the tuna into the pan.

  4. How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (7)

    4

    Mix and stir the ingredients together. Let the tuna helper come to a boil.

  5. How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (8)

    5

    Lower the heat to "low" and cover the pan for 13 to 15 minutes. Stir on occasion.

  6. 6

    Turn off the heat and let the tuna helper cool down. As it cools down, the sauce will thicken.

  7. 7

    Serve in bowls with spoons.

  8. Advertisem*nt

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

In the Oven

Download Article

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).

  2. How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (13)

    2

    Mix all ingredients in an ungreased 2-quart casserole.

  3. 3

    Bake 35 minutes or until pasta is tender.

    • Gently uncover and stir to thicken sauce.
  4. Advertisem*nt

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    Would mushrooms be good to add to my tuna helper?

    How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (15)

    Virago Phoenix

    Community Answer

    Yes, mushrooms would be an excellent addition to the dish.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 2Helpful 2

  • Question

    Can Tuna Helper be made in the oven?

    How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

    Michele

    Top Answerer

    Yes. Stir everything together in a 2-quart casserole dish with 1 1/2 cup water, 2 cups milk, 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, and two 5-ounce cans tuna. Bake covered about 35 minutes at 425° F (218° C) or until pasta is tender. Uncover and stir to thicken sauce.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 8

  • Question

    Can Tuna Helper be made with all water instead of milk and water?

    How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (17)

    ChefJohnDamico

    Community Answer

    Yes, but it will change the taste of the final dish. You also might use chicken, ground beef, tofu or eggs as the protein source.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 1Helpful 2

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      • You can add any other meat other than tuna in this dish.

        Thanks

        Helpful2Not Helpful0

      • Add a can of Vegetable Medley, to have a complete and nutritious meal in one pot. It is easy to make and even easier clean up.

        Thanks

        Helpful2Not Helpful0

      • You can use a regular pot instead of a saucepan.

        Thanks

        Helpful2Not Helpful2

      Show More Tips

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Advertisem*nt

      Things You'll Need

      On the Stove

      • Saucepan or pot
      • Wooden spoon

      In the Oven

      • 2-quart Casserole
      • Spoon to stir

      You Might Also Like

      How toReheat Leftover Pasta Without It Separating or Drying UpHow toMake Ravioli
      How toCook Frozen Tuna SteakHow toCook Canned TunaHow toCook Tuna SteakHow toSear TunaHow toFillet a Tuna FishHow toMake a Tuna OmeletHow toCook Ahi TunaHow toMake a Tuna Melt

      Advertisem*nt

      About This Article

      Tested by:

      wikiHow Test Kitchen

      wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 110,436 times.

      12 votes - 87%

      Co-authors: 12

      Updated: June 17, 2024

      Views:110,436

      Categories: Tuna

      Article SummaryX

      To make Tuna Helper on the stovetop, start by melting butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. When the butter is melted, pour in the noodles and the contents of the sauce packet. Slowly add milk and water and stir it in to avoid any splashes. Finally, add the tuna and mix all the ingredients together until they’re well combined. Let the Tuna Helper come to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir the mixture occasionally so it doesn’t burn or stick to the pan. Your Tuna Helper is ready when the noodles are soft and the sauce is thick and creamy. Read on to learn how to cook Tuna Helper in the oven!

      Did this summary help you?

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 110,436 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisem*nt

      How to Make Tuna Helper: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      Can I use water instead of milk in tuna helper? ›

      Can Tuna Helper be made with all water instead of milk and water? Yes, but it will change the taste of the final dish. You also might use chicken, ground beef, tofu or eggs as the protein source.

      Can you make tuna helper without milk? ›

      The slices and butter should be completely melted while the water mixture is now colored like milk and water combined. Next, add the contents of the Tuna Helper box (seasoning and pasta) along with the drained contents of the can of tuna. Stir then microwave finally for 8 minutes.

      Can you make tuna helper without butter? ›

      a way to prepare betty crocker tuna helper without all the fat. prepare it the same way it says on the box but use skim milk and no butter. prepare the same way the box says but add no butter and use nonfat milk :) tastes the same as with butter! after pasta has simmered for about 5 minutes add frozen veggies!

      Can you use chicken instead of tuna in tuna helper? ›

      A: Thanks for asking, I tried the tuna helper with a can of chicken instead of tuna and it tasted just fine. My family does not like tuna helper, because they don't like tuna, so I used a can of chicken and they loved it.

      How many cans of tuna does tuna helper take? ›

      3 cups hot water. 1 cup milk. 3 tablespoons margarine or butter. 1 can (6 ounces) tuna, drained.

      Can I use half and half instead of milk in Tuna Helper? ›

      If you do dairy, you can replace the coconut milk with regular milk or half & half. Tuna: Canned tuna makes tuna noodle casserole extra easy to prepare and also packs it with protein.

      How much water do I substitute for milk? ›

      Dairy
      FoodAmountSubstitute
      Milk, whole1 cup1 cup water, 4 tbsp dry whole milk
      Milk, whole1 cup1 cup water plus 1 1/2 tsp butter (in baking)
      Milk, whole1 cup1 cup reconstituted nonfat dry milk plus 2 1/2 tsp butter
      Sour Cream1 cup1 cup plain whole yogurt, 3 tbsp melted butter
      83 more rows

      Can I skip the milk in a recipe? ›

      Mix one cup of water with 1 ½ teaspoons melted butter. Water can be used in most recipes that call for milk. According to the USDA, 88 percent of the volume of milk is water.

      Does Tuna Helper have cheese in it? ›

      Tuna Fettuccine Alfredo Tuna Helper is made with 100% REAL cheese for the real taste you love most. Add Your Own Twist! Add some pizzazz! Just before serving, stir in cooked mixed vegetables and cream cheese, stirring until cheese is melted and smooth.

      What is a good milk substitute for quick bread? ›

      Milk Substitutes for Baking
      1. Half-and-Half. If you have half-and-half on hand, it's a perfect cup-for-cup substitute. ...
      2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream is a great substitute for milk in a baking recipe, but it does need to be diluted slightly. ...
      3. Almond Milk. ...
      4. Soy Milk. ...
      5. Other Nondairy Milks. ...
      6. Evaporated Milk. ...
      7. Yogurt. ...
      8. Sour Cream.
      Dec 21, 2020

      What is a quick substitute for butter? ›

      Read on to understand how the following 15 ingredients can act as butter substitutes for different recipes and dishes.
      • MARGARINE. Margarine is a fat that is made mostly from vegetable oil that's flavored to taste like butter. ...
      • SHORTENING. ...
      • OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL. ...
      • COCONUT OIL. ...
      • PUMPKIN PURÉE. ...
      • APPLESAUCE. ...
      • GREEK YOGURT. ...
      • BANANAS.

      What is a good substitute for butter in seafood? ›

      Butter is a biggie. It is one of those ingredients that is most common in seafood recipes. But, butter can be beat! Extra virgin olive oil is my number one go-to for a healthier substitution to butter.

      What can I use instead of butter in sandwiches? ›

      You can enjoy food in plenty of ways without the need for butter. If you don't want to eat butter, substitute it with coconut oil, olive oil, or ghee. Butter is a popular spread and baking ingredient that some people nonetheless avoid for various reasons.

      Why was Hamburger Helper discontinued? ›

      High-end consumers are shifting toward fresher items with fewer processed ingredients while cost-conscious shoppers are buying inexpensive store brands. The makers of staples including Chef Boyardee canned pasta and Hamburger Helper meal kits failed to spot the threat and didn't innovate in time.

      Is tuna healthier then chicken? ›

      Tuna is significantly lower in cholesterol

      Surprisingly, lean chicken breast is somewhat high in cholesterol. It has more than twice as much per serving as any water-packed variety of Chicken of the Sea tuna: Boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked: 131 mg cholesterol.

      Can I eat 10 cans of tuna a day? ›

      According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , most adults should aim to eat at least 8 ounces, or 2 servings, of fish per week, which can include canned tuna.

      How many days is tuna helper good for? ›

      Storing Hamburger Tuna Helper

      Once cooled to room temperature, tuna helper can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through.

      Is 5 cans of tuna too much? ›

      Like most foods, it's okay to eat tuna in moderation. “According to the FDA, the average adult can safely eat about six to nine ounces of tuna per week,” says Dr. O'Neill. “That typically works out to one to two cans, depending on the size.”

      Can I substitute water for milk in Hamburger Helper? ›

      Milk adds a creamy texure and lends its flavor to the sauce in Hamburger Helper. You may not enjoy the results made with only water. Betty's Emrgency Substitutions page suggests a substitution for a cup of milk: 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water; or nonfat dry milk prepared as directed on package.

      Is it OK to use water instead of milk? ›

      Mix one cup of water with 1 ½ teaspoons melted butter. Water can be used in most recipes that call for milk. According to the USDA, 88 percent of the volume of milk is water.

      Can you use pasta water instead of milk? ›

      Add a little pasta water to pretty much any sauce you're making, and it'll help it stick to the noodles. You can even substitute the pasta water for the milk when you make boxed mac and cheese. It doesn't have to be fancy to work.

      Can you substitute water for milk in soup? ›

      Water. In an absolute pinch, water can sometimes be used as a substitute in a recipe that calls for milk…but you might experience some changes in flavor and texture. (Think less creamy, less fluffy and less rich.)

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Dan Stracke

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5808

      Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

      Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Dan Stracke

      Birthday: 1992-08-25

      Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

      Phone: +398735162064

      Job: Investor Government Associate

      Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

      Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.