Homemade Tuna Helper is so much better than the boxed stuff! Plus, it’s super quick and easy to make with a handful of simple ingredients that you might already have on hand. Tender bites of shell pasta are nestled into the best creamy, cheesy sauce with plenty of tuna!
Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Melt the butter in the same pot over medium heat and stir in the flour mixing continuously to make a roux. Mix in the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce starts to simmer and thickens a bit.
Lower the heat and pour in half and half, stirring constantly until the sauce starts to simmer again and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Turn off the heat and gradually stir in the cheddar and parmesan cheese until melted.
Add the cooked pasta and tuna to the sauce and mix until everything is coated evenly.