Potato and Tuna Cake Recipe: Easy Spanish Layered Dish 2026

This potato and tuna cake is the kind of dish that makes summer entertaining effortless. Layers of creamy mashed potato are stacked with tuna, roasted peppers, olives, hard-boiled egg and sweet peas, then bound together with mayonnaise and chilled until firm.

Because it is served cold, you can assemble it a day ahead and pull it straight from the fridge when your guests arrive. It holds its shape beautifully, slices cleanly, and looks impressive on the table with its colorful topping of pepper strips, grated egg and olives.

Ingredients for Potato and Tuna Cake

This makes 4 generous servings as a main course.

• 800 g potatoes
• Salt
• 3 hard-boiled eggs
• 150 g roasted peppers
• 3 tablespoons pitted olives
• 3 cans tuna (about 240 g drained weight)
• 1 can peas
• 6 tablespoons mayonnaise

How to Make Potato and Tuna Cake Step by Step

1. Boil the Potatoes

Peel 800 g of potatoes and boil them whole in salted water over medium heat for about 20 minutes, or until a knife slides in without resistance. Cooking time will vary depending on the variety and size of the potatoes. Once cooked, drain them and reserve a little of the cooking water. If you do not have hard-boiled eggs on hand, use this time to cook 3 eggs in another pot of water over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes. Rinse them under cold water and peel them.

2. Grate the Hard-Boiled Eggs

Separate the whites and yolks of the 3 hard-boiled eggs and grate them separately. A great trick for doing this easily is to press them through a strainer, which gives them the perfect texture for a beautiful finish. You can also chop them with a knife or cut them into small pieces. Set aside.

3. Prep the Peppers, Olives, Tuna and Peas

Cut 125 g of roasted peppers into strips (reserve the remaining 25 g for decoration). Slice 2 tablespoons of pitted olives into rings (reserve a few for decoration) and drain 3 cans of tuna and 1 small can of preserved peas.

4. Mash the Potatoes

Mash the potatoes with a fork or a potato masher. If needed, add some of the reserved cooking water to get a smooth, homogeneous purée with a soft, pleasant texture. Once the purée is ready, divide it into 3 equal parts, which will form each layer of the cake.

5. Build the Layered Cake

Line a mold with plastic wrap and spread the first layer of mashed potato. Cover the purée with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and distribute half the peppers, half the olives, half the tuna, half the peas and one third of the grated yolk and white. Add another layer of mashed potato, spread 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and distribute the remaining half of the peppers, olives, tuna, peas and another third of the grated yolk and white. Spread the third layer of purée, cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 3 hours.

6. Unmold and Decorate

Unmold the cake by flipping it onto a serving platter and carefully removing the plastic wrap. Decorate the top with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, the reserved pepper, egg white and yolk, and a tablespoon of olives cut to taste. Serve immediately or keep it in the fridge until serving time.

Tips for the Best Potato and Tuna Cake

Customize the Filling

The filling is easy to adapt to what you have on hand. If you like, add pickles, corn, capers or anchovies along with the tuna, peppers, olives and peas.

Choose the Right Mold

You can use a loaf pan or a cake pan lined with plastic wrap so you can flip the cake onto a platter easily and get a perfect shape. If you have a large ring or a springform pan, you can build the cake directly on the serving platter with the ring and skip the flipping step.

Serve It Well Chilled

For the best flavor, enjoy it well chilled, straight from the fridge, on its own or with a bowl of mayonnaise so each guest can help themselves.

30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.

Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.

For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.

For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.

And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

More Delicious Cooking Recipes for Family

Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.

The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.

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