Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins are a healthy and delicious recipe perfect for a quick 30 minute weeknight dinner. Tuna cakes are made in muffin tins with brown rice, sharp cheddar cheese and a savory lemon butter sauce for amazing flavor.
Tuna Muffins
Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins are a fantastic recipe I got from my Mom. She makes these when I was a child on a regular basis during lent, but they really are a great meal any time!
I will admit that as a child I turned my nose up at just about anything tuna. I ate them because in our house we didn’t have a choice other than eating dinner or starving. But I can’t say I enjoyed them tremendously.
Easy Pantry Recipe
I was wanting to share some Easy Rice Recipes using pantry staples and remembered these Tuna Muffins that my Mom loves so much. I made them thinking that I would just send them to her house when I was done, but after trying them again as an adult I had a major change of heart.
These Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins are flipping fantastic! The savory mix of seasoning salt, cheddar and tuna topped with the parsley lemon sauce is phenomenal.
Meal Prep Recipe
Now if you are like my Mom, you may want to double the lemon butter sauce. She likes to have a little extra when she makes them for just herself and my Dad so she can add extra butter sauce when she reheats them.
The fact that these Tuna Muffins reheat so well is just another great aspect of this recipe. Make a double batch and enjoy the for a couple meals throughout the week or even freeze them for great meal prep.
Tuna Muffin Recipe Variations
There are a few variations to this Tuna Rice Muffin recipe that you can make based on your preferences. The recipe actually calls for an optional 3/4 cup sliced olives. If you are a big fan of olives that is another great flavor you can add to these tuna cakes.
You can also swap out the tuna for salmon. Canned salmon would make a great substitution in this recipe for something a little different.
I used brown rice because it is healthier and what I have on hand, but white rice or even a wild rice blend would all be great options in this tuna muffin recipe as well.
More Healthy Tuna Recipes!
- Mediterranean Quinoa Tuna Cakes
- Keto Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocados
- Mexican Tuna Zucchini Boats
- Avocado Chickpea Tuna Salad
- Egg Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich
Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins
Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins are a healthy and delicious recipe perfect for a quick 30 minute weeknight dinner. Tuna cakes are made in muffin tins with brown rice, sharp cheddar cheese a savory lemon butter sauce for amazing flavor.
Ingredients
Tuna Muffins
- 2 c. cooked rice
- 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (6.5oz) tuna, drained
- 1 Tbsp. onion flakes
- 1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
- 1 tsp. seasoning salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 Tbsp. milk
- 3/4 c. sliced olives, OPTIONAL
Lemon Butter Sauce
- 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp. seasoning salt
- 1/8 tsp. parsley flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- In a medium bowl, combine all of the tuna muffin ingredients, mixing until well combined.
- Divide the mixture evenly between 6 greased muffin cups. Bake at 375° for 16-18 minutes until lightly golden brown on the top. Finish them under the broiler for a couple minutes if you want a crispier top.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all of the Lemon Butter Sauce ingredients.
- Top the cooked tuna muffins with lemon butter sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Instead of making these into muffins, you can add all of the tuna mixture to a greased 1.5 quart casserole dish and bake for 30-40 minutes.
Double the lemon butter sauce if you want them extra buttery!
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Ellen says
I’m allergic to nickel,so tuna and salmon are out for me. I’m intrigued by this recipe … anyone try a different protein?
Danielle Green says
I think leftover flaked fish could be really good
Jill says
What kind of rice is better, white or brown?
Danielle Green says
I slightly prefer white, but wheat is still very good. Just a little more chewy.
Cindi says
will they hold together without the cheese?
Danielle Green says
Yes, the egg will be enough binder, but they may be a bit drier.
Lynn says
Loved these tuna-rice muffins. I had all the ingredients on hand, so that was a plus. I didn’t bother with the lemon butter sauce. The flavors of the tuna, rice and cheese meld nicely & hold well. I only had a mini-muffin pan & this recipe made 24 mini muffins. Very easy to put together! Thanks for posting!
Kate McKay says
Has anyone tried these egg free? Using a flax egg or something? Looks amazing I am just wondering ifthey would hold without the egg? 🙂
Don S. says
Do you think that substituting cauliflower “rice” would work in this recipe?
Danielle Green says
I’m guessing that the moisture from the cauliflower will probably prevent them from binding as well. My guess is they would come out of the muffin tins rather messy, but would still taste good.
Margaret Alicea says
Came out good , I used salmon and frozen. spinach. No cheddar, used what I had some shredded parmesan. Used dill in the butter sauce because dill goes good with salmon. I also put it In a small casserole dish. Delicious, the sauce put it over the top. Next time i will use little more lemon, because i love lemon. Thanks for sharing.
Deb says
I made these last night and we really liked them. I used green olives and thought they were a great addition.
Virgi says
I always end up with 9 muffins. What size pan are you using. I still enjoy them
Danielle Green says
Just a regular muffin pan, but you can make them as deep as you’d like.
Gerda vd Walt says
Hi, this looks great and I would love to try it.
Can you freeze them? If yes, before or after baking?
Danielle Green says
You could freeze them after baking and reheat after thawing.
Darlene says
Hello, would love to try your recipe soon!
Question…are the olives called for to be green or black?
Danielle Green says
It’s really a personal preference. I’d lean towards green olives myself.
Ginny Hoskins says
These turned out great! I doubled the recipe and was able to make 18. Husband loved them!
Danielle Green says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Soni says
These look very tasty. I might try making them in a pie maker .
Rae says
This is awesome. Delicious . Easy Peary and the results are fantastic.