Description
Cool summer gatherings find their perfect match with creamy tuna macaroni salad, a classic comfort dish blending tender pasta, flaky tuna, and crisp vegetables. Chilled and zesty, this crowd-pleasing recipe delivers satisfying flavors you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (5 oz) tuna in water, drained and flaked
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup dill pickles or relish
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tbsp pickle juice or lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Paprika, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley or dill, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Immerse macaroni in generously salted boiling water, cooking until al dente. Quickly drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then set aside to cool completely.
- Dressing Fusion: Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated, creating a creamy base for the salad.
- Ingredient Melding: Gently fold cooled pasta, flaked tuna, diced celery, minced red onion, chopped pickles, and crumbled hard-boiled eggs into the prepared dressing, ensuring each component is evenly coated and distributed throughout the mixture.
- Flavor Maturation: Cover and refrigerate the salad for minimum 30 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify. Before serving, optionally sprinkle with smoked paprika and fresh dill or chives for an aromatic garnish.
Notes
- Slightly undercook macaroni to prevent mushiness when mixed with dressing, ensuring a firm texture in the final salad.
- Thoroughly drain pasta and cool completely before mixing to prevent watery consistency and keep dressing creamy.
- Adjust seasoning gradually, tasting as you go to achieve the right salt and tanginess without overwhelming other ingredients.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, or add diced avocado for extra creaminess and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg