Mac and Cheese with Tuna or Ham

Mac and Cheese with Tuna or Ham recipe videos

Mac and Cheese with Tuna or Ham is a comforting, baked or stovetop pasta dish combining elbow macaroni with a creamy cheese sauce, typically enhanced with canned tuna or diced ham for added protein. It's a popular home-style meal in the United States and the United Kingdom, often considered a quick, budget-friendly, and satisfying comfort food.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is generally high in carbohydrates from the pasta and fat from the cheese and any added butter or milk, with a moderate to high protein content from the cheese and tuna or ham. A typical serving (about 1.5 to 2 cups) can range from 400 to 600 calories, providing calcium and phosphorus from the cheese, along with B vitamins and selenium from the tuna.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	25 g
Carbs	40 g
Fat	20 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	850 mg
Calcium	300 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Vitamin A	150 mcg RAE
Vitamin D	1.5 mcg
Vitamin B12	1.8 mcg
Phosphorus	350 mg
Selenium	45 mcg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it represents a classic example of pantry-staple cooking, evolving from simple mac and cheese to a more substantial meal with the addition of canned tuna or leftover ham, making it a staple for quick family dinners. Nutritionally, the addition of tuna or ham significantly boosts the protein and omega-3 fatty acid content (especially with tuna), transforming it from a primarily carb-and-fat dish into a more balanced meal.