Cheesy Tuna Macaroni Salad

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Creamy, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying, this Cheesy Tuna Macaroni Salad is the ultimate comfort food with a twist! Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or an easy weeknight meal, this pasta salad combines tender elbow macaroni, flaky canned tuna, and vibrant veggies like celery, red onion, and peas for a dish that’s as colorful as it is delicious. The creamy dressing, made with a tangy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a hint of lemon juice, ties everything together, while cubes of sharp cheddar cheese add a bold, cheesy bite. Quick to prepare and even better when chilled to let the flavors meld, this dish is a cool, crowd-pleasing favorite. Sprinkle a touch of paprika before serving for an elegant finish—perfectly balancing nostalgic comfort and modern flair.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 25 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

12 items

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 5-ounce cans canned tuna in water
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
• 3 quarters of a cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)

📝 Instructions

8 steps

1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the macaroni completely.

2. Drain the canned tuna and flake it with a fork in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add the cubed cheddar cheese, chopped celery, diced red onion, and thawed peas to the bowl with the tuna.

4. In a small separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

5. Add the cooled macaroni to the large mixing bowl with the tuna and vegetables. Pour the dressing over the top.

6. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are well combined and evenly coated in the dressing.

7. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

8. Before serving, sprinkle a pinch of paprika on top for added flavor and color, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (225.5g)

Calories		597
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		38.3 g	49%
	Saturated Fat	13.1 g	65%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		73 mg	24%
Sodium		796 mg	35%
Total Carbohydrate		34.9 g	13%
	Dietary Fiber	3.4 g	12%
	Total Sugars	3.6 g
Protein		28.9 g	58%
Vitamin D		1.4 mcg	7%
Calcium		330 mg	25%
Iron		2.5 mg	14%
Potassium		368 mg	8%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2071 cal (57.5%%)

Protein: 694 cal (19.3%%)

Carbs: 838 cal (23.3%%)