If you’re heading to a potluck or hosting an afternoon shower, this easy tuna macaroni salad is a must. Serve it next to hamburgers and hot dogs as a simple side dish, or pair it with small brunch bites for an elevated experience. It’s super-easy to whip up, and at 10 servings, this recipe will go far!
To make this recipe, choose one of our Test Kitchen’s recommended tuna brands.
Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
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- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 can (5 ounces) light tuna in water, drained and flaked
- 3 hard-boiled large eggs, chopped
Directions
Step 1: Prepare macaroni
In a saucepan, bring salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni to al dente. Then drain and rinse with cold water to get rid of the extra starch. (This keeps pasta from getting mushy when tossed with the dressing.) Cool the pasta completely before mixing with other ingredients.
Step 2: Combine the ingredients
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First, make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, salt and pepper.
Then, in a large bowl, combine peas, onion, celery, tuna, eggs and cooled macaroni. Pour the dressing in slowly, gently tossing to coat ingredients.
Step 3: Refrigerate and serve
Refrigerate until serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like.
Tips for Making Tuna Macaroni Salad
How long will tuna macaroni salad last in the fridge?
Tuna macaroni salad will last 3-5 days refrigerated. Be sure it’s covered tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. It’s also important to not leave the dish out for more than two hours. As an extra precaution, here are some great tips to keep food cold while serving.
How do you keep macaroni salad from absorbing mayonnaise?
Be sure to cook the elbow pasta to al dente, and rinse with cold water after cooking. Both of these simple steps will ensure that your pasta doesn’t absorb all the dressing.
What is the best tuna to use in this macaroni salad?
Canned tuna in water is best for this recipe. It will be easy to flake apart and mix throughout the salad.
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