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Tuna Macaroni Salad (+Video)

This Tuna Macaroni Salad recipe is a classic favorite. Elbow macaroni, canned tuna, peas and a seasoned mayonnaise all combine for a family favorite!

A CLASSIC TUNA PASTA SALAD RECIPE

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 Potato Salad). This classic pasta salad really is an entire meal in one!

a clear bowl filled with tuna macaroni salad.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is in Tuna Macaroni Salad?

The basic ingredients are macaroni noodles, canned tuna, peas, relish and onion all tossed in a mayonnaise based dressing.

Why use a shallot instead of an onion?

Shallot has a very light onion flavor and doesn’t overpower the other flavors. But you certainly can use an onion if you prefer.

Can I use another pasta shape?

Elbow macaroni is a traditional pasta shape to use for this recipe. However, you really could use any pasta shape you enjoy. Cavatappi or shell pasta would work great.

What kind of canned tuna should I use?

I only use canned tuna in water. Canned tuna in oil or any other flavors will change the consistency and texture of the tuna pasta salad.

Can Tuna Pasta Salad be made ahead of time?

Yes, Tuna Pasta Salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to serve (about 24 hours in advance). In fact, I think that the flavors of the salad improve after a few hours or even overnight in the fridge.

Can Tuna Macaroni Salad be frozen?

It can be done but it is not recommended. The quality of the pasta deteriorates quite a bit once it is defrosted.

How long does this salad last in the fridge?

Tuna Pasta Salad can last for up to four days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. However, it is important to note that the quality of the salad may start to degrade after a day or two.

overhead photo of tuna macaroni in a clear bowl on a wood surface.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • elbow macaroni – you can use any small shaped pasta.
  • canned tuna – I prefer the canned tuna in water – not oil.
  • shallot – you can use an onion but I prefer the light onion flavor of a shallot (it also gives it a touch of garlic flavor).
  • mayonnaise – I like Hellman’s or Duke’s mayonnaise but you could use Miracle Whip if you really love it.
  • sweet pickle relish – don’t like pickle relish? leave it out or substitute with dill relish.
  • celery seed – this adds a light celery flavor, you could substitute with finely diced celery.
  • lemon juice – this brightens the overall flavor of the pasta salad as well as the tuna (you don’t taste it as a separate flavor).
  • frozen peas – peas are frozen at peak ripeness and work perfect here but you could use drained canned peas as well.
elbow macaroni noodles, canned tuna, hardboiled eggs, shallots, mayonnaise, sweet relish, salt, pepper, celery seed.

HOW 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.

collage of two photos: mayonnaise, relish, celery seed, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a clear bowl; tuna added into mayonnaise mixture in a bowl.

Once macaroni is cooked, drain well and rinse with cold water until pasta has cooled. Pour drained macaroni into a large bowl. 

collage of two photos: cooked macaroni noodles in a strainer; cooked macaroni noodles in a large clear 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.

collage of two photos: creamy mayonnaise mixture poured on top of cooked macaroni in a bowl; chopped boiled eggs, shallot and peas added into bowl with macaroni.

Then enjoy!

overhead photo of tuna pasta salad in a clear bowl with a blue and whit dish towel in the background.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Originally published: October 2018
Updated & republished: March 2024

Tuna Macaroni Salad recipe.

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Tuna Pasta Salad (a.k.a. Tuna Macaroni Salad) is a classic favorite. This recipe that comes out perfect every single time! Just a couple secret ingredients that makes it so good!
4.98 from 315 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce box elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sweet pickle relish
  • ½ Tablespoon celery seed (more or less, to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 (5 ounce) cans tuna packed in water, drained well
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Instructions

  • Cook 16 ounce box elbow macaroni according to directions on package.
  • In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish, 1/2 Tablespoon celery seed, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
    mayonnaise, relish, celery seed added to a bowl.
  • Stir in 3 (5 ounce) cans tuna packed in water, drained well.
    tuna added into mayonnaise mixture in a bowl.
  • Once macaroni is cooked, drain well and rinse with cold water until pasta has cooled. Pour drained macaroni into a large bowl.
    cooked macaroni noodles in a large clear bowl.
  • Pour mayonnaise mixture onto pasta.
    creamy mayonnaise mixture poured on top of cooked macaroni in a bowl.
  • Then add 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped and 1 shallot, diced, followed by 1 cup frozen peas, thawed. Stir well.
    chopped boiled eggs, and frozen peas added into bowl with macaroni.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
  • Put bowl into the fridge for a couple of hours, then serve.
    a clear bowl filled with tuna macaroni salad.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. 
  • Letting the tuna pasta salad hang out in the fridge for a couple of hours really makes a difference. It helps the flavors to meld and just makes for a better tasting tuna macaroni salad. 
Course: Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 602mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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