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Cold Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 100 reviews

A refreshing and easy-to-make Cold Tuna Macaroni Salad combining tender macaroni, juicy tomatoes, crunchy celery, and protein-rich tuna, all tossed in a light mayonnaise dressing with a hint of Italian herbs and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a satisfying lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 (12 ounce) package macaroni

Vegetables

  • 3 tomatoes – peeled, seeded, and diced
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped

Seafood

  • 1 (12 ounce) can tuna, drained

Dressing

  • 1 ½ cups light mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Italian-style salad dressing
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, generally about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, peel, seed, and dice the tomatoes carefully. Chop the celery stalks into small pieces to add crunch and freshness.
  3. Mix the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the light mayonnaise, Italian-style salad dressing, white sugar, and a pinch of ground black pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors together.
  4. Combine all ingredients: Add the cooled macaroni, diced tomatoes, chopped celery, and drained tuna into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing and all ingredients are well incorporated.
  5. Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become nicely chilled before serving.
  6. Serve: Give the salad a final gentle toss before serving. Optionally garnish with extra celery or herbs if desired. Enjoy this cool and flavorful tuna macaroni salad as a standalone meal or as a side dish.

Notes

  • For best texture, do not overcook the macaroni; it should be firm to the bite.
  • Peeled and seeded tomatoes prevent excess moisture from making the salad watery.
  • Light mayonnaise keeps the salad creamy but reduces calories compared to regular mayo.
  • This salad can be prepared a day in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.
  • Feel free to add chopped onions or bell peppers for extra crunch and flavor.
  • Use canned tuna in water for a leaner option, or in oil for richer flavor.

Keywords: Tuna macaroni salad, Cold pasta salad, Easy tuna salad, Light mayonnaise salad, Picnic salad

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/cold-tuna-macaroni-salad-recipe/