The Best Way to Add Protein to Mac and Cheese

When you’re looking to add a little protein to your bowl of mac and cheese, things like shredded chicken or ground beef will do the job well, but so will something that’s a little more surprising — and arguably even more flavorful. Try a new protein on for size in the form of oil-packed tuna and consider your bowl of mac and cheese forever changed.

There are a whole lot of cans of tuna out there, but we love oil-packed tins the best. It’s full-flavored and more luxurious-tasting than the water-packed variety, which means it can stand up well to a rich bowl of mac and cheese. Drain the tuna, stir it right into the pasta so that it gets coated in the creamy sauce, and then just grab a fork.

Pry open a can of good-quality oil-packed tuna while you go about preparing a box of instant macaroni and cheese. When the cheesy pasta is ready, scoop it into bowls and top each bowl with flaked tuna. Finish with a few grinds of black pepper and enjoy.

A box of instant macaroni and cheese is a blank slate for a quick and easy, but more importantly, family-friendly lunch or dinner. With the help of well-loved pantry staples, you can whip up some cheesy mac that’s bigger in flavor, texture, and satisfaction. This series gives you the inspiration to dig through your kitchen and discover single ingredients that will transform your bowl.