Tuna Macaroni Salad recipe is a classic favorite. Elbow macaroni, canned tuna, onion, peas and a seasoned mayonnaise all combine for a family favorite!
THE BEST TUNA MACARONI SALAD
Tuna Macaroni Salad is a dish that doesn’t get a lot of credit. It’s one of those meals that most of us remember our Mommas making. It is economical and it makes a lot. I absolutely love to dig into a bowl of this stuff. It is one of my favorite comfort foods (besides THE BEST EVER POTATO SALAD). This really is an entire meal in one for me.
WHAT DO I ADD TO TUNA MACARONI SALAD?
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE TUNA MACARONI SALAD:
Cook macaroni according to directions on package. While pasta is cooking, drain cans of tuna well. Chop hard boiled eggs and shallot. In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, celery seed, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Stir well to combine. 
Stir in tuna.
Once macaroni is cooked, drain well and rinse with cold water until pasta has cooled. Pour drained macaroni into a large bowl. Pour mayonnaise mixture onto pasta.Then add chopped eggs and shallot, followed by thawed peas. Stir well.
Cover with plastic wrap and pop into the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
Enjoy
Originally published: October 2018
Updated & republished: March 2020
THE BEST TUNA MACARONI SALAD
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) box elbow macaroni
- 3 (5 oz) cans tuna packed in water, drained well
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 tbsp celery seed
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to directions on package.
- While pasta is cooking, drain cans of tuna well.
- Chop hard boiled eggs and shallot.
- In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, celery seed, lemon juice, salt & pepper.
- Stir well to combine.
- Stir in tuna.
- Once macaroni is cooked, drain well and rinse with cold water until pasta has cooled.
- Pour drained macaroni into a large bowl.
- Pour mayonnaise mixture onto pasta.
- Then add chopped eggs and shallot, followed by thawed peas.
- Stir well.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
- Put bowl into the fridge for a couple of hours, then serve.
Video
Nutrition
WANT MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? GIVE THESE A TRY!
PIMIENTO CHEESE & HAM MACARONI SALAD
MOM’S MACARONI SALAD
HAWAIIAN MACARONI SALAD
CLASSIC EGG SALAD
BEST EVER HAM SALAD
MOM’S VINEGAR CUCUMBER SALAD
I made the salad this afternoon. I’m not a sweet relish fan so I was pleasantly surprised how well all of the flavors ‘married’ for wonderful flavor. I will definitely be making it again.
I made this tonight it was Absolutely Delicious thanks!
I MADE THIS TODAY!!! SO SO GOOD!!
I made this today. It is delicious but the celery seed is a little overpowering so I think next time I’ll only use half but I am definitely saving this recipe!
What about celery salt instead of seed?
Was exactly what I was looking for! I made the recipe as noted and did not change anything!
Hi Ashley!! Yay! Thanks so much. Love hearing that!!
It isn’t even chilled yet, and it’s the BEST tuna macaroni salad i have ever had. Everything goes together perfectly! Thank you so much for sharing. This will be my go to from now on. 🙂
Oh wow!! Thank you so much Karen! Loved hearing this! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment 🙂
Macaroni salad is one of my favorites and this recipe definitely did not disappoint. I’m pinning and making!Love this recipe.easy and simple .i will definitely try it.
I also added candied Jalapeno slices (chopped) tp give it some character
I’ve made this a few times and everyone loves it. Definitely a keeper.
Thanks so much Otilija! I appreciate you taking the time to come back and leave feedback!
This was delicious! I’ve been making a similar salad for years, but I like your recipe even better – I think it’s the addition of the celery seed and sweet pickle relish that really give it something extra. Thanks for this recipe!
Extremely tasty!!! Just made it and the whole family went for seconds ???? I did add more mayo
Woo hoo!! Thanks so much Tammy! I love hearing that!
I used to make something similar to this in college since it made a lot and was fairly inexpensive. This is a much better recipe! It also brought back some funny and fond memories from my college days.
I’m excited to make this, it’s my husbands childhood favorite.
I was wondering how long it will keep?
Thank you!
Hi Stacy! About 3 days in the fridge 🙂
My first attempt to make this pasta salad. I liked it a lot, thanks for sharing!
Hi Carmen! So thrilled to hear that – thanks so much!!
Made for Thanksgiving at the request of my mom. She wanted macaroni salad with tuna, but when she realized it had the sweet relish she begged me to find another recipe. Nope! Made the recipe as directed, she didn’t even realize! Everyone loved it, seemed to be the favorite of the night. Thanks! Definitely a new favorite.
it is mouth watering
Can you use little gherkins instead of relish?
If you enjoy them – sure!
Do you use mayonnaise or miracle whip?
Mayonnaise – always mayonnaise. 🙂
This recipe reminded me of my Grandmother’s recipe. She made this every Friday for lunch. My cousins and I would go to Grandma’s house everyday for lunch, right from school. I wish we had smell-o-vision…..I swear if I closed my eyes, the aroma would be there! Love your recipes! 73 year old Granny, here!
Pat
Love this recipe and thanks for sharing. However, the only change I made was I left out the peas – I have a real aversion to them. Otherwise this recipe is fantastic.
If this recipe is mentioned with the Best Ever Potato Salad, it’s a winner for me!!!!
I love this I make it on Friday and eat all weekend