You’ll love the fresh flavor in this easy Tuna Macaroni Salad! Enjoy it as a side dish or light meal.
Hi! I’m Nicole from Or Whatever You Do, and I’m excited to bring you an easy side dish recipe today! This macaroni salad with tuna is one of my very favorite sides to serve at summer barbecues. It just tastes like summer to me. It can go with almost anything from burgers and hot dogs to steaks, ribs, or pork!
It doesn’t matter what is going on that grill, really. If it’s warm out and we’re firing up the grill, I’ve got a pot of water boiling and the tuna salad sauce getting mixed up.
My tuna pasta salad recipe is a bit non-traditional in that it doesn’t include eggs or onions. I’m just not a big fan of raw onions or hard-boiled eggs, so I leave them out. Feel free to add them back in if that’s your thing. This recipe is super customizable! Are you guys like me? I CANNOT make a recipe as written to save my life, especially if it is not a baking recipe. I even tend to mess with those a bit. More vanilla. More chocolate chips. A different glaze. It is always something. With recipes with more leeway and room for error, things can get downright crazy. That’s the awesome thing for me about cooking. You get to make things exactly the way YOU like them best.
What are some of your favorite barbecue recipes? I make this Perfect Grilled Asparagus A LOT. I’m definitely going to try Andi’s Bacon Wrapped Chicken Legs, and they would go great with my Zesty Italian Pasta Salad. Tell us about your favorites in the comments below!
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 5 ounces solid albacore tuna packed in water do NOT drain
- 1 cup mayonnaise (reduced fat is fine)
- 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (or substitute 1/2 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 pound macaroni noodles cooked al dente, drained, and rinsed in cold water
- 1 cup frozen baby peas
- 1/2 cup dill pickles diced
- 1 cup colby jack cheese diced into small chunks
Ingredients
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- Combine the tuna, mayo, mustard, garlic salt, onion powder, and dill in a large bowl. Mix until combined.
- Gently stir in the pasta, baby peas, pickles, and cheese. Toss well to coat in the sauce.
- Chill for at least an hour, and serve with your favorite summer bbq foods!
- Leaving the tuna undrained helps thin out the sauce a bit and adds some extra tuna flavor into the dish.
- If you add the peas in frozen, it’ll help keep the dish cold a bit longer. Frozen peas will also chill the salad faster.
Want some ideas for your BBQ main dish? Try some of these marinade recipes with your favorite meats!
Brock says
Charla, I’ve seen it in regular grocery stores (even ones that aren’t that great) so you should be able to find it. Near where the fresh herbs are I think.
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Thanks for weighing in, Brock! Yes, you can find it with the fresh herbs in the grocery store.
Charla says
Thanks Brock – I appreciate the heads up. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Charla says
Where can I purchase Dill Paste? In the regular grocery store?
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Hi, Charla. Sorry I wasn’t more clear about that, and I elaborated on where to find these pastes in the post. You can find them in the refrigerated produce section in the grocery store. I like them because they stay fresh for several weeks instead of just a few days like fresh herbs, but they still add the flavor of fresh. Thanks for asking!
Charla says
Thank you so much for the help. I can’t wait to try this recipe – I love dill!
Sandi Gaertner says
Wow, I love that this herb paste is gluten free. Can’t wait to try it.
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
It’s easy to find around here and so handy. Thanks, Sandi!
dinnerthendessert says
My husband loves macaroni salad! This is a great recipe to make for him!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I hope he likes this version. Thank you!
Ginny McMeans says
I haven’t had macaroni salad in a million years! This looks so good and I am also on a dill kick so this stir in paste is my new favorite thing. Thanks!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
It’s time to bring it back ;) Thanks, Ginny!
[email protected] says
Yum! I love the addition of dill!!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I’m crazy for dill too. Thanks, Cathy!
Michelle @ The Complete Savori says
This does sound like a great addition to any sort of summer bbq or party. I really appreciate the tips you have at the end of your recipe.
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Thanks, Michelle!
Amy Engberson says
Dill happens to be one of my very favorite herbs! Since I live so far from the grocery store I LOVE using Gourmet Garden herbs because they are always fresh! Looks yummy!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
It’s one of my favorites too! Being able to keep Gourmet Garden herbs in the fridge is so nice for you since you’re an hour from the store. I love keeping them on hand too. Thanks, Amy!
Laura / I Heart Naptime says
Yum! This looks delicious (and you had me at Easy and Dill)!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Thanks, Laura. Those are two of my favorite words too :)