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Tuna Pasta Salad - An Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Tuna

Tuna Pasta Salad is an Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Tuna that has frozen peas, albacore tuna and cheddar cheese cubes. It's simplicity can be deceiving since it packs a punch of flavor that is perfect for your summer dinner table.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: old fashioned macaroni salad with tuna, pasta salad with tuna, seashell pasta salad, tuna pasta salad
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 203kcal
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces seashell pasta (small shells) or elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups Hellman's mayonnaise
  • 12 ounces albacore tuna, drained and chunked
  • 1 - 2 cups frozen peas, slightly thawed
  • 1 small onion, minced (optional)
  • 1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and cool.
    Tuna Pasta Salad is an Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Tuna that has frozen peas, albacore tuna and cheddar cheese cubes. It's simplicity can be deceiving since it packs a punch of flavor that is perfect for your summer dinner table. 
  • Gently stir in mayonnaise, drained tuna, peas, onion, green pepper, and cheese cubes with the macaroni.
    Tuna Pasta Salad is an Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Tuna that has frozen peas, albacore tuna and cheddar cheese cubes. It's simplicity can be deceiving since it packs a punch of flavor that is perfect for your summer dinner table. 
  • Taste, and season with salt and black pepper.
    Tuna Pasta Salad is an Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Tuna that has frozen peas, albacore tuna and cheddar cheese cubes. It's simplicity can be deceiving since it packs a punch of flavor that is perfect for your summer dinner table. 

Notes

  • Seashell pasta is also called small shells.  Macaroni pasta works too!
  • The original old fashioned macaroni salad recipe calls for canned peas that are drained. Feel free to use this type instead of frozen peas, if desired.
  • I prefer Albacore tuna in this tuna macaroni salad, but chunk light tuna (in water or oil) works too.
  • Substitute mild cheddar cheese or any other cubed cheeses that you prefer.
  • Did you know that the grocery store sells cheddar cheese in cubes?  To save time, go ahead and buy these instead of cutting your own cheese.
  • Onions and green pepper are optional in this tuna macaroni salad.
  • Making this ahead? I always think pasta salad needs more moisture if it sits in the refrigerator over night. To prevent a dry pasta salad, add more mayonnaise.
  • Love peas? Try our Old Fashioned Pea Salad recipe. 

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg