Tuna Macaroni Salad Ingredients
This salad has lots of protein to make it hearty enough to enjoy as a meal, and veggies add a nice crunchy texture.
- Canned Tuna: I like using albacore because I think its got the best flavor. You dont get that metallic fishy taste that you can get with some kind of canned tuna. I highly recommend using a canned tuna packed in water. Tuna packed in oil will drastically change the flavor of the salad?
- Macaroni: This is one ingredient that we are kind of snobs on! If you can find it, get Creamette brand macaroni because it cooks the best and has the best flavor.
- Hard Boiled Eggs: Make your own on the stovetop or buy pre-packaged to save time.
- Veggies: peas, celery and onions diced finely add crunch and freshness. Frozen peas are a must .
- Sauce: The sauce is made with mayo, pickle relish, mustard, salt and black pepper. You could add a little hot sauce to zest it up, or play around with flavors like adding garlic powder or paprika.
Karlynns Tuna Salad Recipe Tips & Tricks
Happy cooking everyone!
Love you more than chocolate!
Karlynn
While this post was generously sponsored by Catelli, all opinions and the recipe remain my own.
How To Make This Tuna Macaroni Salad From Scratch
Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain, rinse, and allow it to cool.
In a salad bowl add all the remaining ingredients for the salad.
In a small bowl whisk well the dressing ingredients.
Once the pasta is chilled, add it to the salad bowl together with the dressing.
Toss to combine, then serve.
Don’t Miss: What Goes In Cucumber Salad
Hellmans Tuna Macaroni Salad
The original recipe clearly specifies to use Hellmans Mayonnaise, and I have to agree with her. But, if you cant find Hellmans or you have another favorite brand, go ahead and use it. It will still be tasty.
One minor change that I made to the original seashell salad is to use frozen peas instead of canned peas. Either can be used, just be sure to drain the canned first. I also let my frozen bag of peas thaw for a little bit before stirring into the Hellmans Tuna Macaroni Salad.
Also Check: Lemon Olive Oil Salad Dressing
What Is Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuna pasta salad is a classic American salad side dish featuring canned tuna, cooked noodles, fresh vegetables and a flavorful dressing. Pasta salad with tuna is typically tossed in either a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing or silky vinaigrette and almost always served chilled.
Pasta salad is generally served as a side dish however, it can also be served as an appetizer or main course.
You May Like: Corelle Country Cottage Salad Plates
Tuna Macaroni Salad Highlights
Key Steps To Awesome Tuna Macaroni Salad
- Prep order is important. A truly great tuna macaroni salad is the coming together of several different elements hard-boiled eggs, seasoned chopped vegetables, perfectly cooked pasta, and a vibrant dressing and you should prepare each of those in that order. Boil the eggs while you chop the dressing. Marinate the vegetables while you cook the pasta. Make the dressing while the pasta chills. You goal is to have everything is ready and close to the same temperature at the same time.
- Season the vegetables. There are a couple of reasons to season or marinate the vegetables. First and foremost is flavor: the celery and peppers will be sweeter and the red onion mellows just a tad with the help of some salt and lemon juice. That salt and acid also help these vegetables keep their snappy texture in the creamy dressing.
- Shock the pasta. Shocking the pasta means rapidly dunking it into an ice bath after draining. The result is perfectly cooked pasta that wont overcook as it cools and wont absorb so much dressing that the salad will be dry or gluey.
- Use a mayo-yogurt dressing. Mayos richness is actually its downfall when it comes to pasta salad it makes what could be a delightful balanced salad heavy and gloppy. A mixture of mayo and whole-milk yogurt makes this salad sing. The tang of the yogurt matches the richness of the mayo, bringing the right degree of balance.
Also Check: Oxo Salad Chopper And Bowl
Read Also: Which Salad Is Best For Weight Loss
This Classic Cold Pasta Salad Is A Quick And Easy Summer Side Dish That Can Easily Be Doubled For Larger Gatherings
When I think back on summer memories as a kid, I always think about the amazing cookouts that my parents would have. Lots of love and laughterand lots of food! I was a picky eater but one thing I always look back fondly on was the tuna macaroni salad. It was a part of every gathering.
This blog post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
The recipe that my mother would make for this macaroni salad had to please everyone: picky and non-picky eaters alike. You wont find any crunchy anything in this version of tuna macaroni salad no onions, no celery, no carrots. But that doesnt mean it is lacking in the taste department. The amazing thing about this recipe is how versatile it is. If you are a fan of all things crunchy add em in there.
There are some easy variations to make this recipe your own. You can go ahead and add that crunch with finely diced raw celery, onions and/or carrots. I like to add in fresh peas on occasion and to top it with sliced hard-boiled eggs. Use chunk light tuna instead of albacore, if you prefer, and feel free to use whole wheat or gluten-free macaroni or something other than elbows. Small shells work great with this salad.
This salad makes a great side dish for my quick and easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap just saying!
Can You Make Tuna Macaroni Salad In Advance
Yes, you can definitely make this pasta salad recipe ahead of time. Prepping it a few hours or even a full day in advance actually makes it taste better, as the flavors have time to blend and marinate.
If there is any of it left over, store it in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I dont recommend freezing it!
Also Check: Chicken Salad With Grapes Healthy
Old Fashioned Cheesy Macaroni Salad With Tuna
This post may contain affiliate links. Read Full disclosure here.
Old Fashioned Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna is the perfect recipe for a potluck or gathering. Made with macaroni, tuna, sweet pickles, onions, carrots, cheddar cheese, peas, mayonnaise, mustard, and a touch of sugar this recipe will make everyone happy.
If youre looking for more delicious pasta recipes, will help get you started.
My mom found this classic recipe for macaroni salad with tuna in one of those vintage church cookbooks. It came from a Home Economics teacher.
You will be amazed at how great this recipe tastes with such simple ingredients. When my mom made it for me, I kept going back for more!
Dont you just love the recipes that have stood the test of time? I think this is one of those easy recipes that will be handed down through the generations.
This recipe makes a great side dish or a light lunch idea. I think you will find this is the best tuna macaroni salad recipe youll ever have. Its that good!
Why You Will Love This Macaroni Salad
- Quick and easy to make: This tuna macaroni salad is so easy to make. With a handful or veggies mixed into a bowl, the pasta, and the dressing, this pasta salad is ready 30 minutes.
- So creamy and good: Made with a creamy homemade dressing with a combination of light mayo and Greek yogurt. Perfectly creamy.
- Versatile: Can be served as a side dish, at pot lucks and parties, or for lunch. Delicious and filling.
You May Like: Chili Cheese Frito Corn Salad
Don’t Miss: Chicken Salad With Grapes And Almonds
Tuna Macaroni Salad Tips
- If you decide to chill the salad and have enough extra time before serving it, you can take it out 10 minutes before to take some of the chill off. This way, you can check if the salad seems to be too dry. In case this happens, you can stir in about 2 tablespoons of milk to moisten the salad, and it will still be tasty.
- In case you have leftover meat such as chicken, ham, or even fish meat like salmon or milkfish, you can replace one can of tuna and use that instead. As long as the ingredients taste nice when partnered with the mayonnaise dressing, it will be a fine salad.
- The perfect pasta to use for this recipe is the elbow macaroni, because the ingredients wont fall apart and will hold nicely together when mixed up, and it is one of the most common types of pastas used here in the country. But, you can still try and use other types of pasta depending on what you want. Some suggestions for good alternative pastas would be shell pasta, fusilli, rotini, or penne.
This recipe also includes a video below. You can also visit our Youtube channel for more recipes!
For a quick reference about this recipe, see the recipe table below:
Classic Ingredients For Tuna Macaroni Salad
Macaroni pasta with the creamy canned tuna and mayo, along with the crunch of bell peppers, celery, and lettuce?
A little squirt of lemon juice for some tang?
So good!
This salad is also one of my go-to dishes to prepare for a midweek meal. It’s easy to make, filling, and budget friendly.
Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
You May Like: I Need A Recipe For Macaroni Salad
What Else Can You Mix Into Macaroni Salad
The flavor possibilities are endless when it comes to macaroni salad! The combo in this recipe adds a nice crunch and a bit of sweet and sour, but feel free to try some of these mix-ins:
Dont like tuna? Try shredded chicken or canned salmon instead More veggies diced cucumbers, tomatoes, maybe even shredded carrots Add leftover corn cut off the cob for a little bit of sweetness Try fresh herbs like basil or thyme Cheese! Feta, crumbled blue cheese, or cubes of cheddar would be delicious
How To Make Tuna Macaroni Salad
Don’t Miss: Is Olive Garden Salad Dressing Gluten Free
Fun Facts About Pasta
- Did you know there are over 600 different pasta shapes?
- Thomas Jefferson was the first person to bring pasta to the United States in 1789.
- Italians eat 60 pounds of pasta per year per person.
- The three most popular types of pasta are spaghetti, penne, and macaroni.
- Pasta was first referenced in a book in 1154.
Creating A Cozy Life Group
Since you found this recipe on How to Make Tuna Macaroni Salad, Im guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 68,000 like-minded souls.
Its a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug.
Read Also: Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Salad
Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad: Overview
Just like the classic, this macaroni salad is incredibly simple to prepare and will still leave you with that familiar, comforting feeling! However, theres no soft, mushy pasta, overly sweet, thick shellac of mayonnaise dressing, stale flavor or unpleasant metallic aftertaste! This version is all about bright, fresh flavors, spot-on textures, and a lightened-up, flavorful creamy dressing.
This macaroni salad features tender and pleasantly chewy pasta, flaky tuna, crunchy celery, delicate green onions, sweet peas, pungent red onions, herbaceous fresh herbs and savory, salty parmesan cheese. The whole thing gets generously drizzled and tossed with a tangy, slightly sweet, impossibly creamy yogurt dressing. The end result? A complex, incredibly delicious tuna salad that is downright addictive!
If you try a recipe and you like it, leave us some feedback in the comment section below, and dont forget to rate it! We would love it if you shared it with friends and family.
Finally, please use our hashtag #healthyfitnessmeals on for a chance to be featured! FOLLOW Healthy Fitness Meals on | | | for all of our latest blog posts and recipes.
Is There A Way To Make This Pasta Salad Healthier
Tuna salad is already extremely healthy for you, and this tuna pasta salad comes out at about 376 calories a serving. There are a couple substitutions you can make to lighten it up even more if youre interested: Opt for whole-wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, or quinoa pasta over regular enriched pasta. Youll cut down on the carbs, and amp up your protein. This is also a great option for gluten-free folks. Swap out half or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to lower calories and increase protein. Use tuna fish in water instead of olive oil. Load it up with even more veggies!
LOOKING FOR MORE EASY PASTA SALAD RECIPES?
If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a 5 STAR RATING! If you really love it, leave us a comment and let us know we appreciate all forms of feedback!
ORDER OUR #1 BEST SELLER COOKBOOK!
LETS CONNECT!
Join in on the fun in Feel free to share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, help out your fellow home cooks, and see whats new with The Crumby Kitchen ! If youd like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.
Also, dont forget to follow us on and tag #crumbykitchen so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!
You can also enjoy exclusive content before anyone else by subscribing to our weekly newsletter and youll never miss a delicious recipe again!
Don’t Miss: Low Sodium Salad Dressing Recipes
Recipe Notes And Tips
- Pasta: Use your favorite pasta, gluten-free, whole wheat, or lentil pasta
- Mayo: you may use light or miracle whip. You may skip the mayo and only use yogurt.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- This tuna macaroni salad is best served cold. The dressing will soak in and get absorbed better.
- Rinse pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down. Chilling the pasta before adding the dressing will help prevent the pasta from absorbing the dressing and drying out.
- Add in other veggies that are crunchy like pickles, carrots, or corn.
How To Make Tuna Macaroni Salad Ahead Of Time
The saddest thing about this salad is that the lettuce will get wilty and even soggy if stored for more than a few hours in the fridge.
So, if you want to make it a day or two ahead, do everything in the recipe except for adding the sliced iceberg lettuce. Add the lettuce when it’s time to serve.
Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Read Also: How Long To Cook Potatoes For Potato Salad
Why You Will Love This Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe:
- Quick and easy to make. This is one of my favorite recipes to make on an active summer day. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes and gives us the energy to go back to our summer activities.
- Satisfying but light. This macaroni salad with tuna packs a big protein punch without a food coma. It’s also dressed in a light-mayonnaise dressing, giving great flavor but not heft. Light and crunchy veggies add nutrition and fiber to the recipe, filling you up but not weighing you down.
- Portable. Packed in a cooler, this pasta salad is great to take on the go. Whether you are camping, going on a road trip, or taking it on a picnic, it’s always a welcome and easy-to-bring addition.
- Easy to adapt to a crowd. Looking for a pasta salad to serve at your next barbecue or cookout? This pasta salad is a great option. Easily double the recipe by just multiplying the ingredients and following the directions as listed. Super easy to do and everyone will be satisfied!