Cheesy Tuna Macaroni Salad
Creamy, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying, this Cheesy Tuna Macaroni Salad is the ultimate comfort food with a twist! Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or an easy weeknight meal, this pasta salad combines tender elbow macaroni, flaky canned tuna, and vibrant veggies like celery, red onion, and peas for a dish that’s as colorful as it is delicious. The creamy dressing, made with a tangy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a hint of lemon juice, ties everything together, while cubes of sharp cheddar cheese add a bold, cheesy bite. Quick to prepare and even better when chilled to let the flavors meld, this dish is a cool, crowd-pleasing favorite. Sprinkle a touch of paprika before serving for an elegant finish—perfectly balancing nostalgic comfort and modern flair.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 5-ounce cans canned tuna in water
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
- 3 quarters of a cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the macaroni completely.
Step 2
Drain the canned tuna and flake it with a fork in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3
Add the cubed cheddar cheese, chopped celery, diced red onion, and thawed peas to the bowl with the tuna.
Step 4
In a small separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Step 5
Add the cooled macaroni to the large mixing bowl with the tuna and vegetables. Pour the dressing over the top.
Step 6
Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are well combined and evenly coated in the dressing.
Step 7
Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 8
Before serving, sprinkle a pinch of paprika on top for added flavor and color, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1243.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2470.4 |
| Total Fat 102.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 58.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 378.9mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3559.4mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 211.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 23.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 29.1g | |
| Protein 175.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 168.3IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1934.9mg | 0% |
| Iron 14.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1994.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories