Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins Recipe

Introduction

Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins are a savory and satisfying snack or meal, combining tender rice, flavorful tuna, and melted cheddar cheese. These easy-to-make muffins come with a zesty lemon butter sauce that adds a bright finish to each bite.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (6.5 oz) tuna, drained
• 1 tablespoon onion flakes
• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 3/4 cup sliced olives (optional)

Lemon Butter Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/8 teaspoon parsley flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease 6 muffin cups.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine cooked rice, shredded cheddar, drained tuna, onion flakes, parsley flakes, seasoning salt, beaten eggs, milk, and sliced olives if using. Mix until well combined.
3. Step 3: Divide the mixture evenly among the greased muffin cups. Bake for 16–18 minutes, until the tops are lightly golden brown.
4. Step 4: For a crispier top, finish under the broiler for a couple of minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
5. Step 5: While the muffins bake, prepare the lemon butter sauce by whisking together melted butter, lemon juice, seasoning salt, and parsley flakes in a small bowl.
6. Step 6: Once muffins are done, top each with lemon butter sauce and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a casserole version, press the tuna mixture into a greased 1.5-quart dish and bake at 375°F for 30–40 minutes instead of making muffins.
• Double the lemon butter sauce for extra richness and flavor.
• Use fresh parsley and onion if preferred for a more vibrant taste.
• Omit olives or substitute with chopped roasted red peppers for a different twist.

Storage

Store leftover tuna rice muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or oven until warmed through. The lemon butter sauce is best added fresh after reheating to maintain its bright flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?

This recipe works best with canned tuna due to its firm texture and convenience. Using fresh tuna would require cooking and may alter the texture of the muffins.

Are these muffins suitable for freezing?

Yes, you can freeze the baked muffins in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.

Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 131 reviews

Delicious and easy-to-make Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins combine savory tuna, cheddar cheese, and cooked rice into convenient baked muffins topped with a zesty lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a quick lunch or snack, these muffins are flavorful, satisfying, and make use of simple pantry ingredients.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 6 muffins 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Tuna Muffins

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (6.5 oz) tuna, drained
• 1 tablespoon onion flakes
• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 3/4 cup sliced olives (optional)

Lemon Butter Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/8 teaspoon parsley flakes

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the muffins.
2. Mix Tuna Muffin Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine cooked rice, shredded cheddar cheese, drained tuna, onion flakes, parsley flakes, seasoning salt, beaten eggs, milk, and sliced olives if using. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Fill Muffin Cups: Grease six muffin cups thoroughly. Divide the tuna mixture evenly among the muffin cups, filling each one properly.
4. Bake Muffins: Bake the muffins at 375°F for 16 to 18 minutes until the tops are lightly golden brown. For a crispier top, optionally place muffins under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
5. Prepare Lemon Butter Sauce: While the muffins bake, mix together melted butter, lemon juice, seasoning salt, and parsley flakes in a small bowl until well combined.
6. Serve: Once muffins are baked, remove from the oven and spoon the lemon butter sauce generously over each muffin. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• You can bake the tuna mixture in a greased 1.5-quart casserole dish for 30-40 minutes instead of making muffins.
• If you prefer extra buttery muffins, double the quantity of the lemon butter sauce.
• Optional sliced olives add a briny flavor but can be omitted if you prefer.
• Keep a close eye when broiling to prevent muffins from burning as the broiler heats quickly.

Keywords: Tuna Rice Muffins, Tuna Muffins, Lemon Butter Tuna, Baked Tuna Rice, Cheddar Tuna Muffins, Easy Tuna Recipes