Name: Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe: Creamy, Classic, Picnic-Perfect
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 3 cans (5 oz tuna in water, drained); 1½ cups frozen peas (thawed); 1 cup diced celery; ½ cup diced red onion; ⅓ cup chopped dill pickles or relish; 1½ cups mayonnaise; 2 tbsp pickle juice; 1 tbsp yellow mustard; Salt (pepper, garlic powder)

Introduction

Table of Contents

Tuna Macaroni Salad is the undisputed queen of summer potlucks: tender elbow macaroni, flaky tuna, crisp celery, sweet peas, and a tangy-creamy dressing that somehow tastes like childhood in every bite. Ten minutes of cooking, a quick chill, and you’ve got the cold salad that disappears first at every barbecue. Presented in a large white ceramic bowl garnished with paprika and extra parsley, this Tuna Macaroni Salad offers pure retro comfort and the ultimate make-ahead side that only gets better in the fridge.

Ingredients

For the Salad: • 1 lb elbow macaroni (or small shells)
• 3 cans (5 oz each) tuna in water, drained and flaked
• 1½ cups frozen peas, thawed (or fresh blanched)
• 1 cup finely diced celery
• ½ cup finely diced red onion (or sweet onion)
• ⅓ cup chopped dill pickles or sweet pickle relish
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

For the Creamy Dressing: • 1½ cups mayonnaise (Hellmann’s/Best Foods preferred)
• 2 tbsp dill pickle juice or lemon juice
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp sugar (balances tang)
• Optional: 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Step-by-Step Process

Cook pasta
Cook macaroni in heavily salted water 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Make dressing
While the pasta cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle juice, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and sugar until smooth.
Combine everything
In a huge bowl, mix cold pasta, tuna, peas, celery, onion, pickles, and parsley.
Dress the salad
Pour dressing over the mixture and gently fold until everything is evenly coated.
Chill
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
Adjust & serve
Before serving, stir and taste—add a splash more mayo or pickle juice if it dried out in the fridge.
Garnish
Sprinkle with paprika and extra parsley for that classic look.

Tips for Perfect Tuna Macaroni Salad

• Rinse pasta under cold water—stops cooking and keeps it from getting mushy
• Make it a day ahead—flavors meld, and it tastes even better
• Use tuna in water, not oil—oil makes it greasy
• Add a splash of dressing before serving—it absorbs as it sits
• Dice veggies small—they distribute better
• Hellmann’s mayo really is the gold standard here

Variations and Customization

• Hawaiian Style: add crushed pineapple + diced ham
• Spicy Kick: add diced jalapeño + dash of hot sauce
• Healthier Light: half mayo, half Greek yogurt
• Egg-Lover’s: double hard-boiled eggs
• Bacon-Ranch: crumbled bacon + ranch seasoning
• Mediterranean: swap mayo for Greek yogurt + feta + olives

Storage and Serving Tips

• Keeps 4–5 days in fridge—perfect make-ahead
• Do NOT freeze—mayo separates and pasta gets weird
• Refresh with extra 1–2 tbsp mayo + splash pickle juice before serving
• Quick refresh: stir well and add a sprinkle of fresh parsley
• Serve ice-cold—texture is best straight from the fridge
• Perfect with grilled burgers, fried chicken, or by the spoonful

Nutritional Information

Based on 12 servings:
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Protein: 16g
• Total Fat: 22g (Saturated 3.5g)
• Carbohydrates: 32g (Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g)

FAQ

1. Can I use tuna in oil instead of water?
You can, but drain very well—oil makes the salad greasy.

2. My salad dried out overnight—what do I do?
Stir in 1–2 tbsp mayo + a splash of pickle juice or milk.

3. Can I make this ahead?
Yes—best 24–48 hours ahead. Flavors get even better.

4. Gluten-free version?
Use gluten-free pasta and double-check your mayo.

5. How do I keep it cold at a picnic?
Nestle bowl in a larger bowl of ice or use an insulated cooler bag.

Conclusion

This Tuna Macaroni Salad is pure summer nostalgia—creamy, tangy, and so satisfying you’ll be sneaking bites straight from the fridge at midnight. One giant bowl feeds a crowd, travels like a dream, and somehow tastes like every picnic and family reunion you ever loved. Keep the ingredients on standby, and you’re always 20 minutes away from the cold salad that earns “bring this every time” status and leaves the bowl scraped clean.