This Easy Tuna Pasta Salad recipe is the perfect side dish for any summer gathering or BBQ. It's filled with classic ingredients tuna, macaroni, peas, and celery that provide a crunchy texture and flavorful balance.
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❤️ Why this recipe works
- Tuna pasta salad is a classic for a reason. The combination of tuna and macaroni is delicious and flavorful.
- Tuna Mac Salad is easy to make with easy pantry ingredients.
- Our creamy tuna pasta salad recipe is easy and is so versatile.
- Feeling creative, add vegetables or proteins that pair well with this tasty tuna macaroni salad.
- This cold tuna pasta salad is an ideal no-cook meal option on hot days.
🔪 Ingredients
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- small pasta noodles macaroni
- canned tuna fish - water-packed tuna is our choice as it is light and lower in calories.
- grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- green peas
- red onion
- celery
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- Dijon mustard
- red wine vinegar
- celery salt
- dried dill
- salt
- black pepper
🍲 Equipment
- Large Stockpot
- Cutting Board
- Knives
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Wooden Spoon
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Cook the macaroni according to the directions.
- In a large mixing bowl add the macaroni, drained tuna fish, sliced grape tomatoes, peas, diced red onions, and celery. Set aside.
- To make the dressing, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients, mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, dried dill, and celery salt. Taste the salad for seasoning, if needed adjust any seasonings.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni and combine well. For best results, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate to combine flavors for at least 30 minutes up to overnight.
- To serve, optional, garnish with chopped fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
⭐ How to store, reheat, and freeze
Store any leftover tuna macaroni salad with peas in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I do not recommend freezing this macaroni salad as it contains mayonnaise which does not freeze well.
💭 Expert Tips
- Place the peas in a colander and run under cold water to thaw them. Then make sure to dry them before adding to the salad.
- Be sure the pasta has been thoroughly drained of any excess water before preparing the salad to ensure the dressing does not get watery.
- For best results, use solid white tuna in water, drained.
📖 Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to vary the flavor of the recipe.
- Fresh herbs: Add fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or basil for extra flavor.
- Vegetables: Mix in a few tablespoons of your favorite fresh veggies such as diced red bell peppers for a pop of color and sweetness.
- Additional flavors: Add diced kalamata olives, capers, or pickle relish for an extra salty crunchy bite.
- Swap out the peas with edamame or chickpeas for a heartier dish.
- Top your pasta salad with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta cheese.
- Have extra hard-boiled eggs? Add some to this easy tuna pasta salad.
- Instead of red onion, use diced shallots, green onion, or yellow onions.
- Leftover Salmon can be used instead of tuna fish in this salad for a tasty variation.
- Dressing: Use a combination of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise to lighten up the dressing.
- Pasta: Any small pasta shape works for this recipe. Whole wheat pasta is an option.
- Gluten-Free: Use any small gluten-free pasta shape, chickpea pasta also is a great option.
- Mayonnaise - I am a Duke's and Hellman's fan for my top choices of mayonnaise. However, if you prefer Miracle Whip, that is fine too.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
🍽 Similar recipes
- Are you a fan of tuna salad? If so, don't miss this Avocado Tuna Salad recipe. It's so delicious you don't want to miss it!
- Next time you need a quick yet easy meal, try our Easy Egg Salad. It's
- This Bacon Ranch Potato Salad is a great side dish for your next backyard barbecue.
📋 Frequently Asked Questions
Tuna pasta salad is meant to be served cold. If you want to enjoy it warm, you can lightly heat it in the microwave or stovetop before serving.
Our easy tuna macaroni salad is a good source for protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals. It's a great choice for a light and healthy meal.
I like to use elbows or small shells to make this creamy salad.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
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Eileen xo
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Cold Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 1 pound small pasta noodles macaroni or small shells are the best
- 2 (5) ounce cans, solid white tuna in water drained
- 1 cup grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 cup peas, defrosted Note 1
- 1 small red onion peeled and diced
- ½ cup diced celery about 3 stalks of celery
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise low-fat mayonnaise can be used
- ½ cup sour cream low-fat sour cream can be used
- 1½ Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- fresh dill optional garnish
- fresh lemon juice optional garnish
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Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the box. Die up the other ingredients while the pasta cooks.
- In a large mixing bowl add the cooked macaroni, drained tuna fish, sliced grape tomatoes, peas, diced red onions, and celery. Set aside.
- To make the dressing, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients, mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, dried dill, and celery salt. Taste the salad for seasoning, if needed adjust any seasonings.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni and combine well. For best results, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate to combine flavors for at least 30 minutes up to overnight.
- To serve, optional, garnish with chopped fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
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