Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe

Ditch the chicken for this easier-to-make version of your favorite macaroni salad!

Tuna may be dubbed the “chicken of the sea” but this versatile fish is taking over as the star of this macaroni salad recipe. You can pan-fry fresh tuna for this macaroni salad, but if you just want a quick fix, using canned tuna makes this salad no less delicious. 

Tips To Make Tuna Macaroni Salad

• 1 Use tuna chunks, not flakes. Even if you pan-fry or bake fresh tuna from the market, we suggest that you chop them into chunks that are no smaller than an inch. This is because cooked tuna is very flaky, and as you mix it with the rest of the ingredients, it will naturally get broken up into smaller pieces. The texture is just as important as flavor, so making sure you have nice chunks of tuna after mixing is key to making this tuna macaroni salad stand out.
• 2 Don’t overcook your macaroni. Your macaroni pasta comes with package instructions, and if you want to cook them just until they’re firm or al dente, you should set a timer for the correct duration. If you like it on the softer side, you can extend the cooking time by 2 to 3 minutes. Once it’s cooked, you can cool it down quickly with an ice bath or running water. 
• 3 Make it one day ahead. Most Pinoy ulam recipes just taste better the day after they’re made, and this tuna macaroni salad is no different. It’s also best served cold, so keeping it in the refrigerator overnight (or at least three hours, if you are excited) will let the flavors mix and marinate better.
• 4 Save the basil puree. It’s easier to do a large batch of basil puree, and it’s not just because groceries sell them in big bunches. You don’t need a lot for this tuna macaroni salad, but basil puree freezes well. You can store it in ice cube trays and simply melt these little flavor bombs once you need them!

Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe

Christa Mendiola

Tuna is the perfect fish to use for an easy macaroni salad to serve at parties.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Resting Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Appetizers, Salad, Snacks/Merienda

Cuisine American, Filipino

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

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Tuna Macaroni Salad Ingredients

• 500 Grams macaroni
• 3 cups tuna chunks in water drained
• 3 cups mayonnaise
• 1/4 Cup white onions chopped
• 1/2 Cup celery chopped
• 1/4 Cup pimiento chopped
• 2 cups Pineapple Tidbits drained
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons basil pureed

Instructions

 

• Boil water with salt in a large pot. Cook the macaroni for 8 minutes. Drain and cool completely. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, onions, celery, pimiento, pineapple, basil puree, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add mixture to completely cooled macaroni noodles. Toss until evenly coated. Adjust taste with more salt and pepper. Keep warm or chill until ready to serve. When ready to serve, serve in bowls topped with more basil puree.
• To make Basil Puree: puree 1 cup basil leaves and 1/2 cup olive oil together in a blender until smooth.

Keyword pasta salad recipe, pasta salad, macaroni recipes, macaroni salad recipe

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