Old Fashioned Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna is the perfect recipe for a potluck or gathering. Made with macaroni, tuna, sweet pickles, onions, carrots, cheddar cheese, peas, mayonnaise, mustard, and a touch of sugar – this recipe will make everyone happy.
If you’re looking for more delicious pasta recipes, Creamy Lemon Baked Noodles and BBQ Spaghetti Recipe will help get you started.
My mom found this classic recipe for macaroni salad with tuna in one of those vintage church cookbooks. It came from a Home Economics teacher.
You will be amazed at how great this recipe tastes with such simple ingredients. When my mom made it for me, I kept going back for more!
Don’t you just love the recipes that have stood the test of time? I think this is one of those easy recipes that will be handed down through the generations.
This recipe makes a great side dish or a light lunch idea. I think you will find this is the best tuna macaroni salad recipe you’ll ever have. It’s that good!
Fun Facts About Pasta
- Did you know there are over 600 different pasta shapes?
- Thomas Jefferson was the first person to bring pasta to the United States in 1789.
- Italians eat 60 pounds of pasta per year per person.
- The three most popular types of pasta are spaghetti, penne, and macaroni.
- Pasta was first referenced in a book in 1154.
- October is National Pasta Month.
Creating a Cozy Life Group
Since you found this recipe on How to Make Tuna Macaroni Salad, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 68,000 like-minded souls.
It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. You can join here to be part of the virtual cozy cottage.
How to Make Old Fashioned Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna
Ingredients for Cheesy Tuna Macaroni Salad
8 ounce package elbow macaroni, boiled in salted water according to package directions in a large pot
1 6 1/2 ounce canned tuna
1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped sweet pickle
1/4 cup minced raw onion
1 peeled and chopped carrot
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 tablespoon sugar
1 can peas, drained
Directions for Making Cold Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe
Drain cooked macaroni and rinse in cold water.
Add tuna, cheese, sweet pickles, and onion to the drained macaroni in a large bowl.
Mix mayonnaise, mustard and sugar in a separate small bowl.
Combine the two mixtures together. Add peas and mix well.
Add sea salt to taste.
Printable Recipe for Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna
Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna
This Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna Recipe will earn raves from family and friends. It's the perfect recipe to take to a potluck or BBQ.
Ingredients
- 8 ounce package macaroni, boiled
- 6 1/2 ounce can of tuna
- 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet pickle
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 1 peeled and chopped carrot
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 can peas, drained
Instructions
- Drain cooked macaroni and rinse in cold water.
- Add tuna, cheese, sweet pickles, and onion to the drained macaroni.
- Mix mayonnaise, mustard, and sugar in a separate bowl.
- Combine the two mixtures together. Add peas and mix well.
- Salt to taste.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 365Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 42mgSodium 498mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 3gSugar 7gProtein 17g
Tips for Making Cold Cheesy Tuna Macaroni Salad
- You can substitute other pasta for macaroni, but the size and shape make it the perfect choice for this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise and mustard to your taste.
- You can substitute your favorite block cheese for cheddar cheese.
- If you substitute red onion for yellow onion, it will give the macaroni salad a stronger taste. You can also use white onions or sweet onions.
- Red bell pepper, green peas, and chopped green onions also make great additions to this recipe.
- Whole wheat pasta can be substituted for regular pasta.
- I top my tuna mac salad with freshly ground black pepper.
- You can serve this side dish at room temperature.
- To add some spiciness to this recipe, add a couple of dashes of hot sauce to the mayonnaise before mixing together.
- Serve this classic pasta salad with potato chips, so you can scoop up every bite.
How long does Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna last in the refrigerator?
Tuna macaroni salad will last 3-5 days in the fridge when properly stored in an airtight container.
Can you freeze Tuna Macaroni Salad?
When you thaw any dish that has dairy in it, the texture and taste are altered. I would not recommend freezing this recipe.
We’ve reached the end of Cheesy Macaroni Salad with Tuna. I hope you enjoyed it!
Let me know in the comments below if you tried the tuna salad recipe and what your thoughts were.
Don’t forget to join the Creating a Cozy Life Group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!
You can pin this tuna pasta salad recipe on your favorite Pinterest food board so you can refer back to it. I think you will find it to be one of your favorite macaroni salad recipe full of fresh flavors.
Thanks for stopping by! I’m so happy you found us.
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Mendy J
Monday 11th of April 2022
well I tried the recipe and it seem to turn out pretty tasty. I didn't have whole pickle so I substituted with relish. I didn't have peas either on hand so I added a little pimento. It was quite tasty with some Boulder Canyon Kettle low salt potato chips. Thanks for the recipe I think it will be made often in our home.
Kelly
Monday 11th of April 2022
Hello Mendy! I'm so glad you liked the recipe. Thank you for letting me know. Kelly