Cold Macaroni Tuna Salad
Bright, creamy, and protein-packed, this Cold Macaroni Tuna Salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for easy lunches, summer picnics, or casual gatherings. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, flaky tuna, crisp celery, sweet peas, and zesty red onion, every bite offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors. Tossed in a tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, this salad is both satisfying and refreshing. Ready in under 20 minutes and chilled to perfection, it’s an ideal recipe for fuss-free meal prep or a no-cook dinner on warm days. Garnish with fresh parsley for an extra pop of color and flavor, and watch this crowd-pleaser disappear!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cans canned tuna (in water, drained)
- 1 cup celery, finely diced
- 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and rinse the macaroni under cold water to cool it down completely.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained canned tuna, diced celery, diced red onion, and thawed peas.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Add the cooled macaroni to the mixing bowl with the tuna and vegetables. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2451 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 137.2 g | 176% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.1 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 203 mg | 68% | |
| Sodium | 3278 mg | 143% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 239.6 g | 87% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.5 g | 88% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.0 g | ||
| Protein | 63.3 g | 127% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 256 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 11.9 mg | 66% | |
| Potassium | 1568 mg | 33% | |
*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.
