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    Home » 30 Minute Meals

    Tuna Nachos

    AU$3.10 | £0.96p per serve
    By Robyn | Published: May 28, 2021 | Modified: Oct 6, 2022

    TO THE RECIPE
    pin for 'quick and easy tuna nachos recipe' showing two images: the top showing the baked nachos with avocado on top, and the bottom a close up of the tuna cheese mix before it goes into the oven

    Ready in 30 minutes, these easy tuna nachos are a family favourite – and perfect for busy days when you want a quick dinner! In this fun version of Mexican nachos, corn chips are topped with a Mexican-spiced tuna melt layer mixed with sweetcorn and capsicum (peppers). An added bonus with nachos – you don’t have to eat them with cutlery, so there is less washing up too!

    overhead photo of a full dish of tuna nachos topped with mashed avocado and chopped spring onions, lime and jalapenos at the side for those who want them on their nachos
    Jump to:
    • Why we love this recipe
    • Ingredients and Ingredients Notes
    • How to make this recipe
    • FAQ
    • My Recipe Tips
    • More quick and easy family dinner recipes
    • Tuna Nachos

    On busy summer days when I have nothing planned for dinner, I often turn to these no cook vegetarian nachos. But when the weather is cold, we crave warm nachos, and using tuna in them is a quick and delicious way to turn them into a filling feast. Tinned/canned tuna is an ingredient I always have on hand as it can be used for so many things, from this 15 minutes tuna pesto pasta, to comforting tuna pasta bake, tuna croissants or sandwiches, and of course, these nachos.

    Why we love this recipe

    • Easy – mix the spicy tuna melt layer, pile on corn chips, and bake!
    • Uses store cupboard ingredients – tinned/canned tuna and corn, corn chips and mayonnaise.
    • Great hidden veggie recipe – you could also add some leftover cooked veggies such as leftover roast carrots or pumpkin, or cooked broccoli.
    • Spicy, but not too spicy – Add spice later on in the form of jalapeños, making this one dish both toddler and kids enjoy, and adults too!

    Ingredients and Ingredients Notes

    • Corn chips – I often use round corn chips from Aussie supermarket Woolworths, but use whatever corn or tortilla chips you like. Make sure they are thick otherwise they can go soggy. Use plain or lightly salted corn chips.
    • Tuna – canned/tinned tuna, in water or olive oil.
    • Cheese – I use block cheddar cheese and grate it myself – ready grated cheese contains stabilisers which, as well as not being nice to eat, prevent the cheese from melting as well.
    • Veggies – these go well with any leftover veg: roast carrots and pumpkin, sautéed mushrooms, red capsicum/pepper. Or you can add your vegetables to the nachos once cooked: top with pico de gallo – if mangos are in season try with this mango pico de gallo, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion.
    • Yogurt – Use plain unsweetened yogurt, I find Greek yogurt works the best. If you don’t have any yogurt, use extra mayonnaise.
    • Spices – I’ve kept the heat spice low for younger family members, but you can increase the spice to suit you. You can use store bought taco seasoning instead.
    Ingredients needed to make tuna nachos laid out in individual bowls

    How to make this recipe

    1. Mix the spices with yogurt and mayonnaise.
    2. Add tuna, corn, pepper/capsicum and half the grated cheese.
    3. Spread half the corn chips in the bottom of a baking dish.
    4. Top with half the tuna mix.
    5. Add the rest of the corn chips, tuna and the rest of the cheese and bake.
    6. Whilst it’s baking mash the avocado with lime juice.
    6 step by step process shots to show how to make tuna nachos: mixing dressing, adding tuna and vegetables, layering nachos, then tuna, topping with cheese, making mashed avocado to go on top

    FAQ

    What cheese goes on nachos?

    Choose a cheese that melts well, such as tasty, Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, or a combination.

    How do you prevent nachos from going soggy?

    Buy thicker chips which will hold up to toppings better than thin chips, and add your cold ingredients (avocado, sour cream if using) afterwards, or immediately before serving.

    Do you put salsa on nachos before cooking?

    No. Put the salsa on just before serving, or serve it on the side for people to help themselves.

    Can I make nachos in the air fryer?

    Yes you can! Line the tray with foil and place a layer of corn chips, your topping and then some cheese. Cook at 180˚C / 356˚F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. I have a small air fryer so this recipe requires cooking the nachos in 2 batches.

    angled photo of cooked nachos showing golden melted cheese, extra toppings dotted around the edge of the image

    My Recipe Tips

    • Use freshly grated cheese – it melts better and not coated in stabilisers like ready grated cheese is 🙁
    • Building nachos in layers helps prevent no thick layers of dry nachos with no topping.
    • Don’t use thin corn chips, these will become soggy.
    • Other topping ideas: pico de gallo, fresh coriander, guacamole (or this delicious Venezuelan guacamole)
    overhead photo of nachos being served, one plate with no extra toppings, another plate with chopped jalapeños and extra avocado, to show this dish is suitable for families

    More quick and easy family dinner recipes

    When time is limited, try these easy recipes all ready in 30 minutes or less.

    • Vegan Dan Dan Noodles
    • Pasta al Pomodoro
    • Quick and Easy Sesame Noodles
    • Easy Yeast Free Pizza Dough

    Tuna Nachos

    Author: Robyn

    Ready in 30 minutes, these easy tuna nachos are a family favourite – and perfect for busy days when you want a quick dinner
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Course dinner
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 546 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt ($0.27 / £0.09p)
    • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise ($0.42 / £0.06)
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin ($0.05 / £0.02p)
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ($0.04 / £0.02p)
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ($0.02 / £0.01p)
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano ($0.03 / £0.01p)
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne ($0.01 / £0.01p)
    • 185g (6.5oz) tinned / canned tuna, in water or in oil ($2.00 / £0.79p)
    • 100g (½c) tinned sweetcorn ($0.24 / £0.15p)
    • 1 green capsicum, finely diced ($2.48 / £0.48p)
    • 100g (1c) cheese, grated ($1.16 / £0.50p)
    • 175g-200g (7oz) corn chips / tortilla chips ($1.90 / £0.75p)
    • 1 spring onion, finely sliced ($0.40 / £0.06p)
    • 1 avocado ($1.80 / £0.79)
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice, (from ½ lime) ($0.75 / £0.09)
    • 1 jalapeno, for serving, optional ($0.81 / £0.15)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 160˚C fan/ 180˚C / 320˚F convection / 356˚F
    • Mix the greek yogurt with mayonnaise, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano and cayenne.
    • Add the tuna, sweetcorn, diced capsicum/pepper, half the cheese, and mix well.
    • Lay half the corn chips over a 25cm x 20 cm (9.8" x 7.8") baking dish in an even layer.
    • Top with half the tuna mix.
    • Cover with the rest of the corn chips, then the rest of the tuna in an even layer, and sprinkle over the remaining grated cheese.
    • Place in the oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and the tuna mix heated through.
    • Whilst it's cooking prepare your toppings: finely slice the spring onion, mashed the avocado with a tablespoon of lime juice and sliced the jalapeño, if using.
    • Take the nachos out of the oven, and serve straight away, with the mashed avocado and jalapeño on the side

    Making tuna nachos in the air fryer:

    • Line the tray with foil – depending on size of your air fryer you may need to do two batches.
    • Add an even a layer of corn chips on your foil, followed by your tuna topping and then some grated cheese.
    • If your air fryer needs preheating, preheat it to 180˚C / 356˚F.
    • Cook at 180˚C / 356˚F for 5-7 minutes until heated through and the cheese is golden.
    • Serve straight away.

    Notes

    Estimated cost: Australia $12.38. Per serve: $3.10.
    UK: £3.98. Per serve: £0.96p
    Other toppings: sour cream, guacamole, extra lime, fresh coriander
    Corn chips
    • I often use round corn chips from Aussie supermarket Woolworths, but use whatever corn or tortilla chips you like.
    • Make sure they are thick otherwise they can go soggy.
    • Use plain or lightly salted corn chips. 
    Tuna – canned/tinned tuna, in water or olive oil.
    Yogurt – Use plain unsweetened yogurt, I find Greek yogurt works the best. If you don’t have any yogurt in, use extra mayonnaise.
    Cheese – I use block cheddar cheese and grate it myself – it not only melts better, but I prefer not having the stabilisers that ready grated cheese tends to be coated in. 
    Veggies – these go well with any leftover veg: grated carrot, red capsicum/pepper, or leave tuna and cheese and top with pico de gallo – if mangos are in season try with this mango pico de gallo.
    Spices – I’ve kept the heat spice low for younger family members, but you can increase the spice to suit you. You can use store bought taco seasoning instead.
    Building nachos in layers helps prevent no thick layers of dry nachos with no topping.
    Other toppings for once the nachos are out of the oven – pico de gallo, fresh coriander, guacamole (or this delicious Venezuelan guacamole)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 546kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 22gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 630mgPotassium: 572mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 720IUVitamin C: 32mgCalcium: 301mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword nachos, store cupboard, tinned tuna, tuna melt, tuna recipe

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    Tag me! @atmrsjoneskitchen

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    Robyn Jones, Recipe Developer & Food Photographer

    Robyn Jones

    Recipe Developer | Food Photographer | Writer

    Hi! I'm Robyn, a toddler mum with a passion for all things food! Having moved internationally 7 times in the past 12 years I have developed a love of making international recipes into family friendly ones you can make in your own home, with local ingredients; wherever you live!

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