Tuna Casserole vs Mac And Cheese: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Tuna casserole and mac and cheese are popular comfort foods with distinct nutritional profiles.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Tuna casserole, 9.0 g, is higher in protein than mac and cheese, 6.7 g. Tuna casserole has 149 calories, while mac and cheese has 164 calories.

Tuna casserole and mac and cheese are both popular dishes that offer comfort and satisfaction. However, they differ significantly in their nutritional content, especially in calories, protein, and fat.

What Is the Difference Between Tuna Casserole and Mac And Cheese?

Tuna casserole is a baked dish made primarily with tuna, pasta, and a creamy sauce, often topped with breadcrumbs or cheese. It is known for its savory flavor and hearty texture. Mac and cheese, short for macaroni and cheese, is a dish made from cooked macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce, typically made with cheddar. It is a classic comfort food that is creamy and cheesy.

Tuna Casserole vs Mac And Cheese: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of tuna casserole and mac and cheese.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Tuna casserole Macaroni and cheese
Calories 149 kcal 164 kcal
Protein 9.0 g 6.7 g
Carbs 14.2 g 23.1 g
Sugar 2.4 g 1.6 g
Fat 6.2 g 5.0 g
Fiber 0.9 g 1.2 g
Sodium 211 mg 460 mg

Which Is Better, Tuna Casserole or Mac And Cheese?

For weight loss: Tuna casserole has 149 calories, which is lower than mac and cheese at 164 calories.

For muscle and protein: Tuna casserole provides 9.0 g of protein, which is higher than mac and cheese's 6.7 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Tuna casserole has 14.2 g of carbs and 2.4 g of sugar, while mac and cheese has 23.1 g of carbs and 1.6 g of sugar.

How to Track Tuna casserole and Mac and cheese Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easy to misjudge, impacting overall dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a nutritionist for personalized dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Tuna casserole has 9.0 g of protein, while mac and cheese has 6.7 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Tuna casserole has 149 calories, whereas mac and cheese has 164 calories.

What is the fat content of tuna casserole?

Tuna casserole contains 6.2 g of fat per 100 g.

How many carbs are in mac and cheese?

Mac and cheese has 23.1 g of carbs per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in tuna casserole?

Tuna casserole contains 211 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in mac and cheese?

Mac and cheese has 1.6 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Tuna casserole has 149 calories per 100 g.
  • Mac and cheese has 164 calories per 100 g.
  • Tuna casserole contains 9.0 g of protein.
  • Mac and cheese contains 6.7 g of protein.
  • Tuna casserole has 14.2 g of carbs.
  • Mac and cheese has 23.1 g of carbs.

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