Grandma's Tuna Macaroni Salad

Perfectly creamy and brimming with nostalgic flavors, Grandma's Tuna Macaroni Salad is a timeless classic that's both hearty and refreshing. This easy-to-make dish combines tender elbow macaroni, flaky tuna, crunchy celery, tangy pickle relish, and a touch of mustard for a flavorful balance. Hard-boiled eggs add richness, while diced red onion brings a zesty bite. Tossed in a creamy mayonnaise dressing and finished with a sprinkle of paprika, this chilled salad is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a simple family dinner. With just 15 minutes of prep, this crowd-pleasing recipe is as convenient as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cans canned tuna (drained)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup celery (diced)
• 0.5 cup red onion (finely diced)
• 0.25 cup pickle relish
• 3 large hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the other ingredients. Drain the tuna, dice the celery and red onion, chop the hard-boiled eggs, and measure out the mayonnaise, relish, and mustard.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, drained tuna, diced celery, diced red onion, chopped hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, pickle relish, and mustard.

Step 4

Season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated and distributed.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If desired, add more mayonnaise for a creamier texture or additional relish for extra tanginess.

Step 6

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprinkle of paprika for a touch of color and flavor.

Step 7

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1064.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2982.6

Total Fat 194.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 813.3mg	0%
Sodium 2927.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 241.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.0g	0%
Total Sugars 35.3g
Protein 65.9g	0%

Vitamin D 177.4IU	0%
Calcium 216.0mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 1178.7mg	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: 58.7%

Protein: 8.8%

Carbs: 32.5%