Tuna macaroni salad is one of those recipes that instantly feels nostalgic to me. It’s simple, comforting, and the kind of dish I can throw together and know that both SA and the kids will be happy to eat it for a quick meal. I love the creamy dressing mixed with the tender pasta and savory tuna, and somehow it always tastes even better after it’s had time to chill. It’s one of those dependable classics my family never gets tired of, especially on a hot summer day when nobody wants a heavy meal but we still want something filling and satisfying.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Tuna Macaroni Salad
- It’s quick and easy with simple ingredients that are budget-friendly.
- It’s filling enough to enjoy on its own as a meal but also works well as a summer side dish.
- It’s perfect for meal prep and tastes even better chilled.
- This tuna macaroni salad is incredibly adaptable, add in different veggies, canned fish or herbs depending on what you have on hand.
- No matter the time of year, this one is a go-to for a last-minute meal.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Elbow Macaroni Pasta: You can use any short-cut pasta, but elbow is classic!
- Veggies: Red bell pepper, red onions, and crunchy celery give flavor and beautiful color variety.
- Fresh Dill: Dill gives a bright, herby flavor that makes the salad taste extra fresh. Feel free to sub with chopped parsley or chives.
- Tuna: I prefer oil-packed tuna for the best flavor, but water-packed tuna also works!
- Pickles: I prefer Dill Pickles but feel free to use sweeter bread and butter pickles instead.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base that brings everything together. Use store-bought or make homemade mayo.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh acidity that brightens and balances the richness.
- Spices: Salt, black pepper, and paprika are all you need for this macaroni salad.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Large Pot
- Strainer
- Small Bowl
- Large Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
Tips For The best Tuna MAcaroni Pasta Salad
- Chop the veggies small, smaller pieces distribute better and give you flavor in every bite.
- The flavor gets so much better after a couple of hours in the fridge.
How to Make Tuna Macaroni Salad
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the pasta from cooking further.
- In a bowl, stir together all of the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
- Add the pasta to a bowl along with the veggies, diced pickles, dill, and flaky tuna and stir until well mixed. Add the dressing and gently toss until the pasta salad is well coated.
How to Modify
- Switch up the veggies with shredded carrot, green peas, or cucumber.
- Make it heartier with crispy bacon bits, hard-boiled eggs, or cubed cheddar cheese.
- Use your favorite short-cut pasta like shells, rotini, bowties, or ditalini instead of elbow macaroni.
- Try a different protein, like canned salmon, crab, or shredded chicken.
- Not a fan of mayo? Try Greek yogurt, sour cream, or plain yogurt.
Dietary Customizations
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta like Jovial, Banza, or Barilla.
Serving Suggestions
This would be delicious served as a lettuce wrap or on a slice of crusty sourdough bread.
If you want a perfect pairing suggestion for this, I highly recommend Loaded Hamburgers With Special Sauce, Pulled Pork Burgers, or Ribeye Steak Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Herb Mayo.
For a sweet side, I love BBQ Fruit Salad or a Fruit Platter to serve at a potluck.
Common Questions
Yes! It actually tastes even better after chilling for a few hours because the flavors have time to meld together. Store in an airtight container and enjoy when dinner is served.
When stored in an airtight container, it will keep for about 3-4 days. If it dries out, add a splash of milk or a bit of mayo or Greek yogurt to bring it back to life.
Chunk tuna packed in water or oil both work well. Oil-packed tuna tends to have a richer flavor. If you want to go the extra mile and use fresh tuna, you absolutely can. I recommend grilling or pan-searing it until flaky and allowing it to cool.
More Delicious Salads You Will Love
- Creamy Pesto Pasta With Chicken
- Chicken, Sun-dried Tomato, and Balsamic Pasta Salad
- Greek Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad
- Kale and Broccoli Superfood Salad
- Honey Mustard Potato Salad
If you make this Tuna Macaroni Salad, let me know in the comments section below. I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram. I love seeing your photos!
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry elbow macaroni pasta
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2/3 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickles
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
- 3 x 5oz cans flaked tuna drained
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on high heat, add in the pasta and cook according to package instructions until just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the pasta from cooking further.
- In a bowl stir together all of the dressing ingredients. Set aside
- Add the drained pasta to a bowl along with the bell pepper, red onion, dill pickle, celery, dill and flaked tuna stir until well mixed. Add the dressing and gently toss until the pasta salad is well coated in dressing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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