Tuna

[AmyBoz]

I have a question. We don't eat tuna...don't know why...we just don't.

Anyway, is tuna a pretty cheap thing to buy? My Mom used to make tuna noodle casserole when I was growing up and oh my Lord, did I love that dinner! However, I'm not sure exactly how much it would cost to make.

So, tuna...frugal or not?

[Jenlee]

Amy, I don't buy it except to make tuna fish sandwiches. I just add mayo.

However, I remember the tuna casserole my mom made as well and it was really good except she put green peas ( ) in it.

I would be interested to see the cost breakdown as well. How many cans do you put in it? My family would balk unless it had plenty of tuna in it.

[AmyBoz]

Jenlee, I'm really not sure! I'll have to call her and ask her!

[sunshine]

Tuna used to be pretty cheap-- but its' gotten expensive around here.

I could buy a can of tuna a couple years ago for .29 reg price and .19 on sale. Now I'm lucky to find it .33 on sale.

[Jerseygirl]

I buy regular tuna steaks for the grill occassionally, very good, not frugal at all. I do not like canned tuna unless it is simply put in a green salad or mixed with mayo or russian dressing. I do keep a can in my desk at work because it is significantly more frugal than spending $5 to order out when I forget lunch. My mom used to make for dinner during the summer cold elbow mac, tuna, little mayo and shredded carrotts and celery. Everyone but me loved it.

[Hollyhandi]

I buy Starkist Tuna in water for 58cents. ( 2 cans for enough )
I buy the egg noodles at Dollar general 2/$1.00
I pay about .89cents a can for cream of mush soup (2 cans )
Or get one big can for about 1.79.
I do also put in peas most of the time but I get a bag of frozen
peas for about 1.00 and use 1/2 bag

Breakdown
Tuna $1.16
Noodles .50
Peas .50
Mush soup $1.79
_____________________
$4.95

[Darlene]

Tuna casserole is very frugal to make. 1 or 2 cans of tuna, noodles, cream of mushroom soup, maybe some peas& onions, breadcrumbs or potato chips on top.
So many different ways to make it, nothing fancy just good cheap eats.

[Nada.Leona]

To me, tuna is a frugal thing -- the meat in it is good, my DH loves it and can get 2 or 3 sandwiches out of one can. Also, we squeeze the juice out of the can for our cat as a treat -- something he absolutely loves! DH loves it in casseroles, on sandwiches, in salads, etc.

However, if you're not into tuna, I have an excellent (vegetarian) alternative -- mashed chickpeas! I use them for myself as an alternative to tuna. Whenever I get a can, I drain them, rince them, mash them up and add a little bit of mayo, relish, mustard, a bit on onion and mix it all up. It makes a wonderful dip or spread and is super cheap!

Bright Blessings!
Rawiya

[Hollyhandi]

Sounds good to me Naderbug, but I'm the only one who likes chickpeas.

[Telephus44]

I like chickpeas too! (just had to add that)

The thing I have found with canned tuna (and I didn't know this until I was on my own) is that there is "chunk lite" and "solid white". The "solid" has way more tuna fish in the can, by weight, and around here costs around $1.49, $.99 on sale. The "chunk lite" is around $.79/can, $.49/can on sale. I have found that while I far prefer the "solid" for sandwiches, for casseroles and cooking that the "chunk" works just as well.

Also, tuna does go on sale at Walgreens once every 6 weeks for $.39/can. That's when I buy my tuna (and yes, its the "chunk").

My version of tuna noodle casserole, this does not make the same quantity as HollyHandi's recipe:

1 can tuna (.39)
1 can cream of chicken soup (.50)
1/2 package of macaroni elbows (.17)
Handful of frozen veggie (peas, corn, whatever) (.25)
Breadcrumbs on the top (.01 - I'm guessing, we pay $.99 for a huge can)

$1.31 for two people

[Mommy2five]

another quick meal with tuna is...
1 box mac and cheese
1 can tuna
1/2 can cream of mushroom soup (I usually double the recipie and use the whole can)
1/2 can peas if you eat them

It's good hot or cold, my children love it.

Tuna has good protien and healthy fats in it. My children love it with crackers as a lunch also.

[homesteadmamma]

I think tuna is very frugal and also very healthy. Here we pay 59¢ on sale for canned tuna. I only buy it when its on sale. We love tuna sandwiches. We just mix the tuna with a bit of mayonaisse, cut up green onions and homemade bread.

I've tasted tuna casserole has well and its delicious.

[AmyMCGS]

For a really cheap tuna casserole on the stovetop~
1 box macaroni & cheese, prepared (.59 for box, plus a little milk and butter-- total guesstimated at .89)
1 can tuna (I usually buy store brand on sale, 3/ $1.... so .33)
1 can drained peas (.19)

Cook the macaroni as directed, stir in the tuna and peas, and serve. This is one of our favorite quick lunches. If I have shredded cheese I sometimes top each serving with a bit.
TOTAL=  $1.41    This easily feeds three adults and one toddler, and there are sometimes leftovers.


Otherwise, this is the tuna casserole recipe I use. I add peas and have used crushed potato chips as the topping.... 'cause that's the way my mom made it. The cost breakdown is similar to the others posted above. http://www.recipezaar.com/13630

[nodmicks]

I eat tuna alot for lunch mixed with mayo pickles and cucumbers. It seems monthly walgreens has a .39 a can sale.