How to Make Easy Tuna Macaroni Salad

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

Tuna Macaroni Salad Ingredients arranged on a yellow gingham tray and colorful bowls on blue surface

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

hand pouring the dressing into a bowl containing the other ingredients To Make Tuna Macaroni Salad

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.

Our Best Macaroni Salad Recipes

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BLT Macaroni Salad

A friend served this BLT pasta salad, and I just had to get the recipe. My husband loves BLT sandwiches, so this has become a favorite of his. It's nice to serve on hot and humid days, which we frequently get during summer here in Virginia. —Mrs. Hamilton Myers Jr., Charlottesville, Virginia Go to Recipe If you love macaroni salad, you've got to try our other pasta salad recipes!

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad mixes the cooked egg yolks into the mayonnaise dressing to give it that classic deviled egg taste. If there are other veggies you like, such as sweet red pepper or carrots, in your macaroni salad feel free to stir them in. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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