In this post I am sharing the old school recipe for Creamed Tuna on Toast.
This recipe came from the great depression era where times were tough and folks didn’t have a lot of money. Stretching those dollars as far as possible to feed your family was a necessity.
Just because the recipe is cheap doesn’t mean that it isn’t tasty. In fact, many folks still enjoy this meal and consider it a comfort food.
I decided to prepare and share this recipe with y’all because one of the comments that I see every time my Creamed Chipped Beef recipe is shared is about creamed tuna. This tuna, white sauce and peas combination is also called tuna gravy by some.
Have you ever had creamed tuna on toast?
Hard Times Creamed Tuna
Do you have to eat creamed tuna on toast? No. Creamed tuna can also be served over mashed potatoes, biscuits, cooked rice or pasta.
What type of canned tuna do you use for creamed tuna? I happen to be using StarKist but any canned tuna will work fine as long as it is packed in water (not oil).
Old Fashioned Tuna Gravy
Since we’re talking about tuna, have you tried my recipes for the Best tuna salad or tuna noodle salad? They’re delicious so check them out!
In the printable recipe card below you’ll get the step by step directions for how to prepare this creamed tuna.
Creamed Tuna on Toast
Old school creamed tuna on toast, a budget friendly meal. This popular comfort food meal has stood the test of time. It was especially favored when going through hard times and money was tight.
Ingredients
- 4 tbs Butter (1/2 stick)
- 1/3 c All Purpose Flour
- 3 c Whole Milk
- 1 tsp Salt
- Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
- 8 oz Canned Tuna, drained
- 1/2 c Frozen Green Peas
- Toasted Bread, for serving
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Next, add the flour and stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes then add the milk.
- Season the white sauce and simmer until thickened then add the tuna and frozen peas and gently stir to combine.
- Serve over toasted bread, potatoes, rice or noodles if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 312Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 793mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 15g
More tips for making this recipe:
Use a quality canned tuna that you enjoy eating and be sure to drain it very well before adding it to the white sauce.
The combination of flour and melted butter is known as a roux. When milk is added and it thickens it becomes a white sauce, the base for many sauce recipes.
You might also enjoy my Creamy Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe!
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See this recipe shared at Meal Plan Monday & Weekend Potluck.
Meet Julia
Author of Julia's Simply Southern
About Julia
Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Sharon Morrissey
Saturday 20th of January 2024
My mother made this several times a month when I was young. Only the girls in the family liked it (other than my dad). To this day my sisters and nieces get together and have this for dinner dedicated to mom. I just made it tonight for my 41 year old niece’s birthday. This is what she picked out of anything in the world I would make for her.
Recipe tastes just like mom’s but we stick to canned peas like the 1960’s! They add a lot of flavor to the sauce.
Enjoy everyone!
Julia Jordan
Sunday 21st of January 2024
Thank you, Sharon, for sharing your wonderful memories of this classic dish. I'm so glad that y'all are carrying on and enjoying it as a comforting memory.
Kelly
Tuesday 19th of December 2023
Serve mine for me over crushed Ruffles potato chips. Salty yumminess
Johnna
Saturday 16th of December 2023
We used to eat this growing up, loved it! My mom substituted the peas with drained corn, we weren’t pea fans. Great memories!
Park Avenue
Friday 19th of May 2023
My Mother always put a pinch of nutmeg in the sauce. White sauce, nutmeg is essential. I remember eating this quite often as a kid. Love Tuna & Toast!
Johnna
Thursday 4th of May 2023
We ate this when I was growing up but we didn’t care for peas so Mom substituted drained corn and it was great! The corn added a little crunch. Still one of my favorites. I didn’t actually realize it was tuna until I was grown 🫣