Tasty Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Tuna Casserole

If you have an insatiable appetite for anything tuna, then this is the recipe you should try.

The best part about it – it’s a casserole.

You don’t have to worry about all kinds of different ingredients and the mess with preparation.

Tuna Casserole is a classic dish that can be prepared quickly and easily in a single-sized baking dish.

It looks like a simple dish, but the taste and flavors are amazing.

The dish is elbow macaroni, a type of pasta that resembles a bow-tie, tuna, or chicken, and a mixture of vegetables, including peas and carrots, which gives it a delicious flavor.

As the name suggests, the recipe for Tuna Casserole consists of canned tuna fish as its primary ingredient, along with macaroni noodles, milk, butter, and other spices such as salt and pepper.

Generally, cream soup such as a mushroom soup can be added to give it more flavors, but this step is optional.

Some people also add potato chips on top, which provide an excellent crunchy texture to the dish.

Tuna casserole can be served either warm or cold and tastes good with salad and bread.

There are many variations to this dish, the most common being the addition of cheese which gives it a creamier taste.

In this article, we will give you a step-by-step method to prepare the dish, along with some great side dishes that will go well with it.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Tuna Casserole?

Tuna casserole has been a staple of the American diet for many years.

While it is fairly simple to throw together, serving side dishes with tuna casserole can make your meal that much more interesting and flavorful.

It’s important to note that side dishes should match well with a tuna casserole.

For example, if you plan to serve it with a full-bodied red wine, then your side dish should be equally flavorful and hearty, like garlic bread or steamed vegetables.

Side dishes for tuna casserole can range from anything like veggies or bread to even fruit.

Strange combination, you say? Not at all.

For example, are you putting grapefruit halves onto your plate alongside this classic dish? It adds something slightly sweet to an otherwise savory dish.

So, if you’re tired of the same old tuna casserole, try serving it with some side dishes.

It may turn out to be a better experience than you thought.

What to Serve with Tuna Casserole? 8 BEST Side Dishes

This classic dish can be served with various side dishes, but some stand out from the crowd.

Below are eight great options for side dishes to serve with tuna casserole:

1 – Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a delicious side dish for tuna casserole.

It’s slightly more on the filling side, so it’s perfect if you’re serving this dish at lunchtime.

This tasty option pairs well with spinach artichoke dip and spaghetti bolognese sauce.

It also works well with salads because of its creamy flavor and cheesy texture.

If you want to serve something warm alongside your casserole, then garlic bread is an excellent option.

It brings out the flavors in the casserole even more and will keep everyone’s stomachs happy and full until dinner time.

2 – Steamed Vegetables

A plain, steamed vegetable may not sound too appealing when compared to garlic bread or chocolate cake.

However, it’s an excellent side for tuna casserole.

When you want something on the lighter side for dinner, try serving some sauteed vegetables like broccoli or green beans.

It can be paired with almost anything because of its neutral flavors and will help balance out the more heavy dishes usually served during dinner time.

If you’re more into having something hot at dinner time, steaming your veggies is also a great option.

It doesn’t require much more work than microwaving them, and it helps bring out the flavor in spices like salt, pepper, chili powder, etc.

Experimenting with different spices is a great way to add some punch to your vegetables.

3 – Garden Salad

Garden salads are a classic side for tuna casserole, but it may be hard to convince your friends and family that this is the best option.

When you need something light to round out your meal, there’s nothing better than a garden salad.

It can be paired with just about any dish because of its neutral flavors.

Due to the fact that it’s filled with veggies and leaves, it’s also a very nutritious side if you don’t feel like eating too many carbs or going overboard on everything else.

It works great as a palate cleanser after every couple of bites of tuna casserole.

Give it a try next time you serve tuna casserole – you’ll be surprised at what difference some leafy greens will.

4 – Pickled Beets

Pickled beets are a wonderful side dish for tuna casserole.

While this may seem like an unlikely option, it brings out the flavor in spices like garlic and onion powder that are often used when cooking tuna casserole.

Beets can also be cooked alongside your casserole.

It only takes 30 minutes to roast them in the oven and makes for a pretty presentation since they come out all red and shiny.

It’s also an excellent source of nutrients like antioxidants, which may help protect the body against diseases.

Both your taste buds and your waistline will thank you after eating pickled beets with this dish.

5 – Rolls

Rolls are a great side dish for tuna casserole because of their versatility.

Baking your rolls is an excellent option if you’re more into having something warm at dinner time.

This brings out the sweetness in pre-made bread dough.

It’s also easy to prepare before serving – just put them on a plate and pop them in the oven.

Bread goes great with most dishes, so it doesn’t matter which flavor of roll you have alongside your casserole.

Garlic bread, sourdough, French loaf, puff pastry, or even cinnamon rolls will work fine with this dish.

For those looking for lighter options for lunchtime, try having your pudding pops alongside your salad instead of your rolls – it will give you the same amount of carbs and help balance out your lunchtime meal.

6 – Apple Crumble

Apple crumbles a great side dish for tuna casserole.

Baking your apple crumble is an excellent option if you’re more into having something warm at dinner time.

This brings out the sweetness in the pre-made dough, but it’s also quick to make since the topping is rolled out on top of your apples instead of mixed with other ingredients beforehand.

Both of these options work well if you don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen after finishing up everything else.

They also serve as great desserts.

Even though they come out sweet, they still work well alongside savory seafood dishes like tuna casserole.

7 – Classic Macaroni and Cheese

Classic macaroni and cheese is a great side dish for tuna casserole.

If you’re looking to add some saltiness to your meal, classic macaroni and cheese are an excellent option.

It’s also full of carbs, so it will help balance out the protein in your casserole.

If you don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen after finishing up everything else, this is also an easy alternative to baking your rolls – serve them together in bowls on the table.

This dish is also perfect if you’re looking to experiment with different flavors since it only requires three simple ingredients to make.

Try making this in bulk beforehand so you can take some with you for lunch or dinner during the week.

8 – Garlic Rice

Garlic rice is a great side dish for tuna casserole.

If you’re looking to add some saltiness to your meal, garlic rice is an excellent option.

It’s also full of carbs, so it will help balance out the protein in your casserole.

If you don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen after finishing up everything else, this is also an easy alternative to baking your rolls – serve them together in bowls on the table.

This dish is also perfect if you’re looking to experiment with different flavors since it only requires three simple ingredients to make.

Try making this in bulk beforehand so you can take some with you for lunch or dinner during the week.

Conclusion

Tuna casserole is a delicious dish that all can enjoy.

These side dishes are versatile and easy to make – you won’t have a hard time finding something on this list to go with your casserole.

All of these options work well for lunchtime, dinner, or even as an afternoon snack to tide you over until your next meal.

At the end of the day, tuna casserole just goes perfectly with all kinds of side dishes.

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