Dad's Summer Tuna Mac Salad

Cool, creamy, and bursting with vibrant flavors, Dad's Summer Tuna Mac Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for warm-weather gatherings. This refreshing pasta salad combines tender elbow macaroni with flaky tuna, crunchy celery, crisp red bell pepper, and the tangy sweetness of pickle relish, all enveloped in a velvety dressing of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. A sprinkle of paprika and a garnish of fresh parsley elevate this classic dish, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious. Quick to prepare with only 30 minutes of total time, this versatile recipe is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a light and satisfying main course. Serve it chilled and watch it disappear!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Elbow macaroni
• 2 cans Canned tuna (in water)
• 1 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 stalks Celery
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium Red onion
• 2 tablespoons Sweet pickle relish
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the macaroni, rinse it under cold water, and set aside to cool.

Step 2

While the pasta cools, prepare the vegetables. Finely dice the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion. Chop the parsley if using for garnish. Set aside.

Step 3

Open and drain the canned tuna thoroughly. Use a fork to flake the tuna into smaller pieces in a bowl.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and sweet pickle relish. Mix well until smooth.

Step 5

Add the cooled macaroni to the dressing mixture and mix gently to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 6

Fold in the diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and flaked tuna. Mix everything thoroughly but gently to avoid breaking the ingredients.

Step 7

Season the salad with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Before serving, give the salad a final stir and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Step 10

Serve chilled as a side dish or light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(978.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2965.7

Total Fat 182.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 341.7mg	0%
Sodium 3184.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 221.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.5g	0%
Total Sugars 20.5g
Protein 102.2g	0%

Vitamin D 560IU	0%
Calcium 65.9mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 1097.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.9%

Protein: 13.9%

Carbs: 30.2%