Tuna-Macaroni Salad

  • Prep 20 min
  • Total 1 hr 20 min
  • Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 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

  • 1
    Cook macaroni as directed on package, adding peas for last 4 to 6 minutes of cooking; rinse with cold water and drain.
  • 2
    In large bowl, mix macaroni, peas and remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

  • If you make the macaroni and tuna salad ahead of serving time, take it out of the refrigerator for a few minutes to take the chill off. If the salad seems dry (it will absorb moisture as it stands), stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or half-and-half to moisten.
  • Stir in a handful of coarsely chopped parsley just before serving macaroni salad with tuna to brighten the color and flavor.
  • It's easy to customize this macaroni tuna salad recipe based on your preferences. Replace tuna with the same amount of chunk chicken, pink salmon or ham to make a delicious salad that works nicely with the mayo dressing spiked with pickle relish, or try 1 to 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard instead of the relish.
  • Macaroni-shaped pasta is tailor-made for salads because it won’t fall apart when mixed up with other ingredients. Try other short, sturdy pastas for picnics or potlucks—fusilli, shells, or rotini.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving (about 1 cup)
Calories
440
Calories from Fat
260
Total Fat
29g
44%
Saturated Fat
4 1/2g
23%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
30mg
10%
Sodium
650mg
27%
Potassium
170mg
5%
Total Carbohydrate
31g
10%
Dietary Fiber
2g
10%
Sugars
2g
Protein
14g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
6%
6%
Vitamin C
2%
2%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 5 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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