Best 10 The Best Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Tuna macaroni salad is an American classic, often enjoyed at potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. It's a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, with a variety of add-ins like vegetables, cheese, and nuts. Whether you prefer a simple and classic recipe or one with more complex flavors, there's a tuna macaroni salad recipe out there for everyone.

Let's cook with our recipes!

TUNA MACARONI SALAD



Tuna Macaroni Salad image

You'll crave this salad once you try it, this also works well with chicken in place of the tuna, please do not omit the sweet pickles they *make* this salad! adjust all amounts to suit taste, plan ahead this needs to chill before serving, cooking time is chilling time

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Tuna

Time 3h30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained (can use 3 cans)
4 -5 green onions, chopped or 1 onion, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 1/2 cups chopped sweet pickles (can use more or less, do not squeeze out any juice from the pickles)
1 cup mayonnaise (I use half of each) or 1 cup salad dressing (I use half of each)
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (optional or to taste)
1 tablespoon garlic powder (yes 1 tablespoon or even 1-1/2 tablespoons!)
1 -2 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon seasoning salt (or to taste, or use white salt)
fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 -4 hard-boiled eggs (quartered) (optional)

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender; drain then rinse well under cold water; place in a bowl then toss with 1 tablespoon oil to prevent sticking.
  • Add in tuna, onion, bell pepper, celery and sweet pickles; toss to combine.
  • In a bowl mix together mayonnaise with sour cream, sweet relish (if using) garlic powder, yellow mustard (start with 1 tablespoon mustard) and seasoned salt; add to the macaroni mixture; mix well to combine.
  • Season with black pepper to taste.
  • Arrange the cooked egg wedges around the inside of the bowl, then dust the top of the salad and eggs lightly with paprika.
  • Cover and chill at least 3 hours before serving (the longer chilling time the better!).

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

If there is such a thing as comfort salad, then this is it: A cold and creamy, mayonnaise-laden pasta that evokes your grandma's "tuna mac," but made a touch more sophisticated with the addition of cornichons and scallions. Amanda Hesser picked up the recipe, in 2006, from Clementine, a bakery and cafe in Los Angeles known for "its stylish take on home-style cooking." They were selling it for about 9 bucks a quart, but you can make it at home for about a quarter of that. Thankfully, it's no more difficult to make than Grandma's. Just boil up some macaroni and drain. Combine with two cans of tuna (if you're feeling flush, you can add chunks of cooked fresh tuna like we did for the photo) one cup of mayonnaise, chopped celery, cubed Cheddar cheese, sliced scallions and cornichons and two spoonfuls of chowchow, a green tomato relish that's an optional addition. Season well with freshly ground black pepper and serve cold.

Provided by Amanda Hesser

Categories     easy, quick, pastas, salads and dressings, side dish

Time 20m

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

Salt
1/2 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup 1/4 -inch diced celery
2 ounces sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/4 -inch cubes
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/4 cup sliced cornichon rounds
2 tablespoons mild Tennessee chow chow (optional)
1 cup mayonnaise
2 6-ounce cans chunk light tuna in water, drained
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook. Drain and cool completely.
  • In a large bowl, fold together the macaroni with the remaining ingredients. Season.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 541, UnsaturatedFat 27 grams, Carbohydrate 30 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 28 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 553 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

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.

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

THE BEST MACARONI SALAD YOU WILL EVER HAVE!!



The BEST Macaroni Salad You Will EVER Have!! image

This macaroni salad has been in my family for generations. and I have never had anyone say they don't love it! I have friends who constantly ask me for the recipe, yet I have never given it out....until now. This salad is the BEST macaroni salad in the world, you just gotta try it to believe me! Please rate if you like it! I love to serve this with hamburgers or bratwurst on a summer day! This goes very well at any party and even at Thanksgiving!

Provided by nyghtspydr

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (12 ounce) can tuna in water, drained and flaked
6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
1 large white onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, finely chopped
3 cups creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip®)
½ cup 2% milk
¼ cup white sugar, or to taste
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ tablespoons ground black pepper, or to taste
½ tablespoon salt, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool completely; drain.
  • Mix macaroni, tuna, eggs, tomatoes, onion, and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk salad dressing and milk together in a separate bowl until smooth. Beat sugar, mustard, pepper, and salt into the dressing mixture; pour over the macaroni mixture and stir to coat.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 367.3 calories, Carbohydrate 38.1 g, Cholesterol 115.9 mg, Fat 17.1 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 13.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 761.6 mg, Sugar 13.3 g

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

TUNA PASTA SALAD



Tuna Pasta Salad image

This is one of those salads where I say, "The longer it sits, the better it gets." You'll often find this cool and creamy pasta salad at my family's get-togethers.

Provided by Kardea Brown

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 8 to 12 servings (9 1/2 cups)

Number Of Ingredients 18

One 12-ounce package tri-color bow-tie pasta
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 stalk celery, cut into large chunks
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 red onion
Three 5-ounce cans solid white tuna in water, drained
3 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons Miss Brown's House Seasoning, recipe follows
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
Chopped fresh curly parsley, for garnish (optional)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package directions. Drain and run under cold water to cool, then drain again. Transfer to a serving bowl.
  • While the pasta cooks, pulse the celery, bell pepper and red onion in a food processor until finely minced. Add to the serving bowl along with the tuna and eggs.
  • Stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, House Seasoning and relish in a small bowl. Pour over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
  • Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

CLASSIC TUNA-MACARONI SALAD



Classic Tuna-Macaroni Salad image

I like this recipe. It is close to my mother's...which is a good thing!! I think I took the dressing part of it from a Muellers box.

Provided by Jill L. Margaritta

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces elbow macaroni
3/4 cup real mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped radish
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 small can albacore tuna (optional) or 1 small chicken (optional)
1/2 cup sweet peas

Steps:

  • Cook and drain pasta according to the package directions.
  • Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Chop up all the veggies.
  • Drain the can of tuna or chicken.
  • Mix all together.
  • *Note* Add the peas last and stir them gently. You don't want them mushed up.
  • Toss to coat.
  • Cover and chill to blend the flavors.
  • Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440.4, Fat 15.9, SaturatedFat 2.4, Cholesterol 11.5, Sodium 954.8, Carbohydrate 64.9, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 9.7, Protein 9.8

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 for Making the Best Tuna Macaroni Salad:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. This means using fresh, flavorful tuna, cooked macaroni that is still slightly al dente, and crisp vegetables.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be cooked to al dente, which means it should still have a slight bite to it.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, flavor, and texture to the salad.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings. There are many different ways to make a tuna macaroni salad dressing, so find one that you like and stick with it.
  • Make the salad ahead of time. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.

Conclusion:

Tuna macaroni salad is a classic summer dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and backyard barbecues. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. By following these tips, you can make the best tuna macaroni salad that you have ever tasted.

Remember to use fresh, high-quality ingredients, cook the macaroni to al dente, and use a variety of vegetables. Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings, and make the salad ahead of time so the flavors can meld. Following these tips will help you make the perfect tuna macaroni salad for your next gathering.

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