Best 9 Easy Macaroni Tuna Salad Recipes

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Macaroni tuna salad is a classic dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions or preferences. Whether you are looking for a simple lunch or a potluck dish, this article is your answer! Below you will find some easy macaroni tuna salad recipes that are sure to please everyone.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

TUNA-MACARONI SALAD



Tuna-Macaroni Salad image

Perfect for a simple summer supper or as a main-dish potluck contribution, this tuna noodle salad is a comfort food classic that comes together in just 20 minutes. Serve it on a bed of lettuce or other cool, crisp greens, and pair it with some crusty bread for a satisfying and refreshing entrée.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (7 oz) elbow macaroni
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained
1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz), if desired
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, if desired
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 medium stalk celery, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni as directed on package, adding peas for last 4 to 6 minutes of cooking; rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In large bowl, mix macaroni, peas and remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fat 5 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 14 g, SaturatedFat 4 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving (about 1 cup), Sodium 650 mg, Sugar 2 g, TransFat 0 g

TUNA MACARONI SALAD



Tuna Macaroni Salad image

"This jazzed-up tuna recipe came from a nutritionist I worked with at a prenatal clinic," writes Mary pat Eck from Cincinnati, Ohio. "It's so full of protein and flavor that we shared it with many of our clients."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup cooked small pasta shells
1 can (5 ounces) light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons pickle relish, drained
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
Lettuce leaves

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard and salt; stir into tuna mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve on lettuce-lined plates.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 347 calories, Fat 11g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 156mg cholesterol, Sodium 1259mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 35g protein.

TUNA MACARONI SALAD



Tuna Macaroni Salad image

Great for summer nights when you don't want to cook!

Provided by It's A New Day

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Tuna Salad Recipes

Time P1DT1h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups uncooked macaroni
⅓ cup Italian-style salad dressing
½ cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (5 ounce) can tuna, drained

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until done. Drain.
  • Marinate macaroni in Italian dressing for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
  • Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, celery, garlic powder, tuna, and salt and pepper into macaroni. Chill before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 572.1 calories, Carbohydrate 44.9 g, Cholesterol 28.7 mg, Fat 37.8 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 13.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 847.1 mg, Sugar 4 g

SIMPLE TUNA MACARONI SALAD



Simple Tuna Macaroni Salad image

This macaroni salad is a simple and delicious combination of tuna with chopped vegetables. Use cooked shell pasta or elbows in the salad.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Entree     Side Dish     Lunch     Salad

Time 28m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 ounces small shell macaroni (or elbow macaroni)
1 (6-ounce) can tuna (drained, flaked)
3/4 cup mayonnaise (or more, as needed to moisten)
2 tablespoons onion (finely chopped)
1/2 cup celery (chopped)
1/4 cup red bell pepper (or green or a combination, chopped)
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Cover bowl and chill until serving time.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289 kcal, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 23 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 646 mg, Sugar 1 g, Fat 22 g, ServingSize 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

MACARONI TUNA SALAD



Macaroni Tuna Salad image

This macaroni salad is great for lunch on its own, if you don't feel like cooking on those hot summer days. It's also a wonderful side for grilled food. I have perfected it -- after making many different types of macaroni salad, this one is my favorite. Enjoy!!

Provided by Sally Rogers

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 1h45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
2 (5 ounce) cans white tuna, drained and flaked
2 stalks celery, minced
1 onion, minced
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (5 ounce) jar pimento-stuffed green olives, drained
1 pint grape tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. Transfer the macaroni to a bowl, and cool in the refrigerator.
  • In a large bowl, lightly toss the tuna with celery, onion, and about 1 cup mayonnaise until combined, then stir in the remaining mayonnaise, macaroni, olives, and grape tomatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let the salad chill in refrigerator 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 553.1 calories, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 24.3 mg, Fat 37.8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 14.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 578.3 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

TUNA MACARONI SALAD



Tuna Macaroni Salad image

A top tip for this Tuna Macaroni Salad, soaking raw onions in cold water for 15 minutes helps mellow their flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 11

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
8 ounces elbow macaroni pasta
1/2 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
2 ribs celery, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1 cup), plus 1/4 cup celery heart leaves
1/2 jalapeno, seeded if desired, and finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
1 (5-ounce) can solid tuna in water, drained and flaked
6 tablespoons mayonnaise, preferably Hellmann's
1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons dill relish
1 teaspoon grainy mustard

Steps:

  • In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain, then transfer to large bowl to cool slightly.
  • While pasta cools, soak onion in cold water. Drain, then stir into pasta along with celery, celery leaves, jalapeno and tuna. Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, relish and mustard. Toss with pasta mixture and season to taste. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.

GARDEN TUNA MACARONI SALAD



Garden Tuna Macaroni Salad image

"I knew this recipe was a hit the first time I served it at a barbecue and got wonderful compliments," recalls Scarlett Hilton in Sabina, Ohio. "I even got a phone call afterward suggesting that I open a restaurant!" We have to agree this cool, creamy and crunchy salad really is delicious.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 can (6 ounces) light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
2/3 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
2/3 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup diced radishes
2 green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
3/4 cup Miracle Whip
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tuna, vegetables and parsley. Drain macaroni and rinse in cold water; add to tuna mixture., In a small bowl, combine Miracle Whip, ranch dressing, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts :

SIMPLE TUNA PASTA SALAD



Simple Tuna Pasta Salad image

Some of the best recipes are the most simple. This is one of those. I prefer it just as written, but you may add any ingredients you choose such as chopped onion, scallions, chives, water chestnuts, chopped hard-boiled eggs, lemon-pepper, dill, parsley, etc. I often take this to potlucks when I need a quick and easy (and economical) dish. I've never had to take home left-overs. Tuna pasta salads can be found at many pot lucks. Albacore tuna is plentiful on the Pacific Coast, and this recipe represents the Western U.S.

Provided by PanNan

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 20m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

12 ounces pasta shells or 12 ounces macaroni, cooked and drained
12 ounces canned chunk albacore tuna, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup frozen green pea, thawed
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (this amount is an estimate, you'll need enough to make the salad creamy) or 1 1/2 cups Miracle Whip (this amount is an estimate, you'll need enough to make the salad creamy)
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Combine the cooked and drained pasta with the drained tuna, chopped celery, peas, and mayonnaise, using only enough mayonnaise for the salad to be creamy.
  • (If it's made ahead, you may need more because the pasta will absorb the mayo.) Chill at least 1- 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 321, Fat 2.8, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 23.8, Sodium 278.6, Carbohydrate 49.1, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 4.1, Protein 23.2

TUNA-MACARONI SALAD



Tuna-Macaroni Salad image

You pretty much already have everything you need to make this side dish, a great accompaniment to fried or grilled proteins. Some people love raw onion and celery, but you can leave them out or keep them in as you like. Make sure you use tuna packed in water. (Tuna in olive oil will make the salad too oily.) It's best chilled - don't serve it at room temperature - its creamy unctuousness balances out the heat (from spice or from cooking) of whatever it's paired with.

Provided by Millie Peartree

Categories     pastas, salads and dressings, seafood, main course, side dish

Time 3h15m

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 (5-ounce) cans tuna in water, drained
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and smashed with a fork
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise, plus more to taste
1/2 cup sweet relish
1 tablespoon yellow or Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup chopped celery (from about 3 stalks, optional)
1 medium sweet onion, chopped (optional)
Paprika, for garnish

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil, and cook the macaroni according to package instructions, until slightly pasta al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water until the pasta is cool and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, tuna, eggs, mayonnaise, relish, mustard, onion powder, pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Add chopped celery and onion, if using, and toss gently with a spoon to combine.
  • Taste and adjust salt and mayonnaise as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, and up to overnight. Sprinkle with paprika for garnish before serving cold.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh tuna, cooked macaroni, and crunchy vegetables will make a big difference.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Flake the tuna into small pieces so it mixes evenly with the other ingredients.
  • Use a variety of vegetables to add color and flavor to the salad. Some good options include celery, onion, cucumber, and red bell pepper.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings. A simple mayonnaise-based dressing is a classic, but you could also try a vinaigrette or a yogurt-based dressing.
  • Serve the macaroni tuna salad immediately, or chill it for later. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Macaroni tuna salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a snack. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give macaroni tuna salad a try!

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