Macaroni Salad with Tuna – 4 Ingredients

This Tuna Macaroni Salad is something my Mom made often while we were growing up. It’s the perfect side salad for a BBQ, picnic or potluck and I love that it’s only 4 ingredients!

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It’s like a tuna sandwich, but instead of bread, it’s encased in macaroni. Maybe I think of it that way because I love tuna sandwiches! But what surprised me most is that my kids absolutely love this salad! Because apparently, they don’t even like tuna. It’s interesting how kids won’t eat something unless it’s offered by someone other than their parents.

Had I been the one to introduce this salad to them, I’m guessing they wouldn’t have eaten it. However, since Grandma made it, they were all over it! But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised- my kids pretty much love everything that their Grandma makes. And although it may have tuna in it, tuna is simply a supporting character – macaroni is still the star of the show! And what kid doesn’t love macaroni? In fact, my kids love macaroni more than almost any other food. It was not only my son’s very first solid food, it was one of his first words; or ‘nanaroni’ as he called it back then. 

Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad

If I’m going to eat macaroni, I want to make it as healthy as possible. I use a light mayonnaise with half the fat and since whole wheat pasta takes such a long time to cook (and I find it a bit too dense), I prefer to use “smart pasta”. Smart pasta tends to cook faster than whole wheat but you still get 4X as much fibre than white pasta. Although it’s not quite as healthy as the whole wheat, you are still getting those additional benefits. And if you’re not a fan of whole wheat, it’s a good alternative. This will make your healthy tuna pasta salad even healthier than using white macaroni!

Read more about Smart Pasta HERE

Easy Macaroni Salad

I love this recipe because you can make it ahead or throw it together last minute. We often eat this easy cold macaroni salad on hot days with BBQ pork, steak or chicken and grilled veggies. It’s also great for feeding a crowd or bringing along to a potluck! So, if you are looking for an easy macaroni salad, this 4 ingredient Macaroni salad is for you.

4 Ingredient recipes

Speaking of 4 ingredient recipes, check out my other 4 ingredient dishes! I also have lots of 2, 3’s and 5 ingredient recipes, as well!

4 Ingredient Caprese Salad Skewers

And the MOST POPULAR recipe on this blog:

4 Ingredient Whipped Shortbread Cookies

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5 from 5 votes

Tuna Macaroni Salad

A simple 4 ingredient Macaroni Salad with tuna, that can be thrown together last minute or made ahead. It's served cold so is perfect for feeding a crowd, or bringing along to a potluck, picnic or BBQ!

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Canadian

Keyword macaroni, salad, tuna

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Refrigeration 30 minutes

Servings 8 people

Calories 204kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Ingredients

• 340 g - box elbow macaroni * I use SMART pasta
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise * I use Hellman's 1/2 the fat
• 3/4 cup green onions, chopped *about 5 green onions
• 184 g -can of tuna, flaked drained

Instructions

• Cook macaroni as directed on box * I add a tsp of olive oil to prevent it from sticking.
• Once cooked, drain and cool. Refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. * If you are in a hurry, you can rinse the macaroni with cold water to cool it faster!
• Drain tuna and add to macaroni, along with mayonnaise and green onion. Stir until incorporated.
  

Garnish

• Garnish with additional chopped onion. Serve cold.
  

Notes

* Note: If you plan to make ahead, it's best to add the other ingredients to the macaroni closer to serving, as it tastes fresher

Nutrition Facts

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 204 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 4g 6%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Cholesterol 11mg 4%

Sodium 166mg 7%

Potassium 158mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 34g 11%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 1g

Protein 11g 22%

Vitamin A 2.3%

Vitamin C 2.1%

Calcium 2.8%

Iron 11.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2.3% | Vitamin C: 2.1% | Calcium: 2.8% | Iron: 11.4%

This recipe is part of The Country Cook's Weekend Potluck!