Tuna Macaroni Salad

Name: Tuna Macaroni Salad with Homemade Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 3 large eggs; 2 cans tuna in water, drained; 2 celery stalks, diced; 1/2 red bell pepper, diced; 3 green onions, sliced; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish; 1 tbsp diced jalapeños; 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 1/2 lemon, juiced; black pepper, to taste

This creamy tuna macaroni salad combines tender elbow pasta, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and crisp vegetables in a zesty homemade dressing made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and sweet pickle relish. It's a versatile dish that works equally well as a lunch entrée or potluck contribution.

🌍American 🏷️Tuna pasta salad 🏷️Macaroni salad 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Tuna salad Creamy

🏷️

🏷️Easy recipe

-0:00

britscookinonTikTok

Total

27 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by britscookin

-0:00

britscookinonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb elbow macaroni
3 large eggs
2 cans tuna in water, drained
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
3 green onions, sliced
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 tbsp diced jalapeños
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 lemon, juiced
black pepper, to taste

13 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
In a large pot of boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions. Add the eggs to the pot to hard-boil them alongside the pasta.
2
Drain the pasta and eggs. Rinse the pasta with cold water to cool it down. Peel the hard-boiled eggs once they are cool enough to handle.
3
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Place the yolks in a small bowl and set aside. Finely dice the egg whites.
4
Dice the celery and red bell pepper, and slice the green onions. Combine with the diced egg whites.
5
To make the dressing, mash the reserved egg yolks with a fork in the small bowl.
6
Add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pickle relish, and diced jalapeños to the mashed yolks.
7
Season the dressing with Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and the juice of half a lemon. Stir until smooth and creamy.
8
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, drained tuna, and the chopped vegetable and egg white mixture.
9
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
10
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cook pasta until just al dente, then cool completely before mixing with the dressing to prevent a mushy texture.
Dice all vegetables uniformly and add them just before serving to preserve their crunch and prevent water from releasing into the salad.
Balance the zesty dressing by starting with less mayonnaise and adding more gradually until you reach your preferred creaminess.
Taste and season with salt and pepper at the end, as the tuna, pickle relish, and mustard already contribute sodium and flavor.

Substitutions

2 cans tuna in water → 1 can tuna in oil, drained, or poached fresh tuna flakes (slightly richer flavor)
Red bell pepper → diced cucumber or diced yellow bell pepper (similar crunch and sweetness)
Sweet pickle relish → diced dill pickles or sweet pickle juice mixed into the mayo (tangier profile)
Dijon mustard → whole grain mustard (coarser texture and earthier flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving and add a splash of milk if the salad has dried out.

Common Questions

Can I make tuna macaroni salad ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate in an airtight container. The flavors meld together as it sits, but add a splash of milk if the salad dries out before serving.

Should I drain the tuna thoroughly?

Yes, drain canned tuna well in a colander or by pressing it gently in a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess water. This prevents the salad from becoming watery.

What's the best way to hard-boil eggs for this recipe?

Boil eggs for 10–12 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to cool. This makes them easier to peel and prevents the gray ring around the yolk.