Macaroni Salad with Tuna

Healthy macaroni salad with tuna is a classic favorite re-made. It’s still as satisfying and flavorful and it’s counterpart and it’s perfect for a meal or a side dish.

Recipe Highlights

• A healthier version using Greek yogurt, less mayonnaise, and more vegetables.
• It can be made ahead of time and served as a main course or a side dish.
• It’s customizable.

Here is what you will need

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• Small  pasta (shells, elbows or ditalini)
• Celery
• Bell Pepper
• Carrots
• Onion
• Tuna
• Mayonnaise
• Greek yogurt
• Mustard
• Cococnut sugar or honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Paprika – Optional for garnish

Estimated Time To Make This Recipe: 30 to 40 minutes.

Ingredient notes

The Pasta

I typically use whole wheat pasta in my recipes, but this recipe is an exception. I’ve tried it with many different shapes and sizes of whole wheat pasta, and I’ve come to the conclusion that tuna mac salad just tastes better with white pasta.

I like to use organic baby shells because the nooks and crannies hold onto the dressing and small bits of ingredients. The ditalini shaped pasta  or elbow pasta are my second choices.

Whichever pasta you choose, it should be cooked a minute or 2 after it reaches al al dente, thoroughly rinsed in cold water and cooled off to room temperature before adding the salad ingredients.

Tip! Drizzle a little bit of olive oil onto the pasta before adding the veggies and dressing to keep the salad moist.

The Mayonnaise

I don’t use mayonnaise often, but it is a must in this recipe. A mayo that’s made with avocado oil or olive oil is a healthier choice, and it gives the macacaroni salad a far superior taste. 

The Greek Yogurt

This macaroni salad with tuna recipe has been passed down from a few generations. It was originally made with 1 to 1 ¼ cups of mayonnaise and a little bit of sour cream. The sour cream was simply meant to add a smooth texture to the salad if it was too dry.

The addition of  Greek Yogurt adds a ton of flavor and it has more nutritional benefits. I’ve tried using different amounts of yougurt vs.  mayo and have found that ½ cup mayo and ½ cup yogurt is perfect. If you like yogurt more than mayo, then you can add ¾ yogurt and ¼ cup mayonnaise.

Serving Suggestions

Healthy macaroni salad with tuna can be served  as a main course with a side salad or it can be served as as side with:

• Caramelized Onion Burgers
• Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers
• Grilled Jerk Chicken Breasts

Recipe Tips

• If you are using small pasta, dice those veggies up small. I like to use  a sharp knife, but you can also use your food processor.
• Mix up the dressing in a mason jar. Simply add the ingredients, cover it and shake it up to blend everything together. A Mason jar is great for storing extra dressing in too.
• If you aren’t serving your macaroni salad immediately, pour half of the dressing over the salad. Store the remainder in the refrigerator and add it about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Make Ahead Instructions

Tuna macaroni salad can be made ahead of time up to one day before.  Mix the cooked pasta together with the diced vegetables and leave the dressing off. Store the salad in the refrigerator for no longer than one day. About 15 to 20 minutes before serving add the dressing.

Storing Leftovers

Tuna Macaroni salad tastes great the next day,  and will stay for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. You might need to add a teaspoon or two of mayo or yogurt if the salad is dry before serving.

Tip! Try squeezing a little bit of lemon juice into the leftover macaroni salad to freshen it up.

Freezing leftover macaroni salad is not recommended.

Variations

• Leave out the tuna for a classic vegetarian macaroni salad
• Substitute ¼ pound shredded chicken for the tuna
• Add ½ cup peas, chopped boiled eggs, or olives to the salad

You Might Also Like these Salad Recipes

• Pasta Salad with Spinach and Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Potato Salad
• Coleslaw
• Chopped Greek Salad

Nutrition information is provided by Nutrifox,  an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only.  Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.