Cold Tuna or Chicken Macaroni Salad
Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick family dinner, this Cold Tuna or Chicken Macaroni Salad combines creamy textures with vibrant flavors to create a dish that’s as satisfying as it is versatile. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, your choice of protein—either flaky canned tuna or shredded cooked chicken—and a rich dressing made with mayo, sour cream, and Dijon mustard, this salad is packed with hearty goodness. Crunchy celery, sweet peas, and tangy red onion add balance, while chopped hard-boiled eggs bring an extra layer of protein. With minimal prep time and a refreshing, chilled finish, this make-ahead classic is a must-have for easy entertaining. Garnish with paprika for a festive touch, and serve it as a stand-alone meal or a side dish to brighten any gathering.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup canned tuna or cooked chicken, shredded
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 0.5 cup celery, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced
- 0.5 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 2
Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and dijon mustard. Stir until smooth.
Step 4
Add the tuna or cooked chicken, celery, red onion, thawed peas, and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl. Mix well.
Step 5
Fold in the cooled macaroni until everything is evenly coated.
Step 6
Season the salad with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
Step 7
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.
Step 8
Before serving, sprinkle with paprika if desired for a pop of color.
Step 9
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1020.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2775.1 |
| Total Fat 161.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 23.3g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 660.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3443.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 217.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 16.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 22.4g | |
| Protein 110.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 276.9IU | 0% |
| Calcium 227.9mg | 0% |
| Iron 14.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1103.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories