Tuna Skillet Special
A creamy, savory skillet dish with tuna, tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms, spiced with chutney and served over rice or noodles—perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 6 medium onions, chopped
- 2 green peppers, diced ⓘ
- 2 sweet red peppers, cut in strips (optional) ⓘ
- 1 small can pimientos, chopped
- 1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced ⓘ
- 2 (10 1/2 oz.) cans tomato soup ⓘ
- 1 c. light cream ⓘ
- 3 (7 oz.) cans tuna fish ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chutney ⓘ
- salt and pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium flame.
- Add onions, green peppers, sweet red peppers (if using), pimientos, and mushrooms, cooking until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the tomato soup and light cream, bringing the mixture to a boil and cooking for a few minutes.
- Drain the tuna fish, break into bite‑size chunks, and add to the skillet, stirring in the chutney.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir well to blend all flavors.
- Serve hot over cooked rice or noodles.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine while sautéing the vegetables. You can substitute the light cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative for a lighter version. If you want to add more protein, canned salmon or chicken can work well as a substitute for tuna. This dish is versatile and can also be adapted into a seafood recipe by incorporating shrimp.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Tuna Skillet Special over a bed of fluffy rice or al dente noodles for a hearty meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad. For added texture, consider serving it alongside garlic bread or a slice of cornbread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals until heated through. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of cream or broth to restore moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tuna Skillet Special contains roughly 334 calories, with 9g protein, 20g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (70% of the Daily Value) and vitamin D (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 653mg per serving (28% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tuna, but you'll need to cook it separately first. Sear the fresh tuna in the skillet until it’s cooked to your liking before adding it to the vegetable mixture. This will give the dish a different flavor profile and texture.
Is this dish suitable for freezing?
While you can freeze the Tuna Skillet Special, the texture of the vegetables may change upon thawing. It's best to freeze only the sauce without the cream and add fresh ingredients when reheating for optimal flavor and consistency.
What can I add to make it spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the skillet along with the vegetables. You can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for an extra kick if you enjoy spicy flavors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).