Tuna pasta salad made with lots of tuna fish, shell pasta, celery, onions, and spices. This southern tuna macaroni salad is the perfect side dish for any occasion!
Hey y’all! It’s officially potluck season. You know, when everyone and their mama is having a potluck for no specific reason, just to eat! I personally love going to potlucks, because it gets me out of the house, and gives me the opportunity to socialize, and of course EAT!!
One of my favorite side dishes to make for potlucks is my southern tuna macaroni salad. This tuna pasta salad always gets praised, and most people really don’t realize how effortless, and cheap my tuna macaroni salad is to make.
First, and foremost, I make my southern tuna macaroni salad without peas. Peas ISSA NO! No peas in my tuna macaroni salad, it is just not my thing. I also refuse to use miracle whip! So no, this ain’t no tuna salad with miracle whip recipe y’all. I prefer to use Best Foods aka Hellmans mayonnaise for my tuna macaroni salad!
As far as seasoning my southern tuna macaroni salad, I keep it simple. I use salt, pepper, and a little bit of garlic powder. Since this dish already has onions & dill relish, I don’t have to add too much to it!
Don’t forget to save & share this recipe on Pinterest!
Watch me make this Southern Macaroni Salad, and print the recipe below!
Southern Tuna Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups uncooked shell pasta elbow macaroni will work as well
- 16 oz canned tuna drained
- 4 boiled eggs crumbled
- 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise I use Best Foods/ Hellmans
- 1 small red onion diced
- 3 ribs celery diced
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/4 cup dill relish
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp coarse black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Optional for garnishing
- paprika
- fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the shell macaroni pasta until it’s nice and al’ dente, then drain the water.
- Rinse the pasta under cold water, then set to the side.
- In a large mixing bowl toss in the mayonnaise, dill relish, tuna, onions, and celery. Mix the ingredients, then toss in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Make sure that everything is well combined, then add in the cooked macaroni pasta.
- Fold the ingredients until everything is well combined, then cover the bowl, and refrigerate for a at least 1 hour.
- Put the macaroni salad in your desired serving dish.
- Optional: Add paprika and parsley on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
Want more pasta salad recipes? Check out my others!
Cheryl says
February 1, 2019 at 4:08 pmHi, I will love to try this recipe but how many cans of tuna to use?
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:04 pmSee what happens when I rush? LOL. I used 16 oz 🙂
Patricia Turner says
February 1, 2019 at 4:29 pmLooks delicious, will try for Super Bowl Sunday. However, your recipe doesn’t include how much tuna or list it in ingredients
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:04 pmI apologize! I used 16 oz of canned tuna 🙂
Blessful says
February 1, 2019 at 4:31 pmHey Rosie, you forgot about the tuna in your recipe
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:05 pmI apologize! I used 16 oz of canned tuna 🙂
Jennie says
February 1, 2019 at 4:43 pmOops! Looks like you forgot the tuna in the ingredients list! One can or two? Drained or undrained? Thanks Rosie!
Jennie
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:05 pmI apologize! I used 16 oz of canned tuna 🙂
Kenya says
February 1, 2019 at 4:47 pmPINNED on 2 different boards! Will be back to review as soon as I make it! Thanks for posting luv!
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:05 pmThanks Kenya!
Kenya says
February 3, 2019 at 7:32 pmMade it for Super Bowl and it was delicious! Was out of dill relish, so I used sweet salad cubes and added dried dill. Also didn’t have celery, so I used celery salt instead. Will make this again!
Mattie Grier says
February 1, 2019 at 4:59 pmOn the Southern Macaroni Salad, you didn’t list amount of tuna, was included in the recipe, didn’t state amount.
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:05 pmI apologize! I used 16 oz of canned tuna 🙂
Nina M Moore says
February 1, 2019 at 5:00 pmYou missed out Tuna. Didn’t say the size can of tuna/s on your webpage.
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:05 pmI apologize! I used 16 oz of canned tuna 🙂
Sandra says
February 1, 2019 at 5:06 pmIn the tuna & macaroni salad it does not tell you how many cans of tuna to use & what kind,the tuna in water or the tuna in oil
Rosie says
February 1, 2019 at 5:12 pmIt does, I updated it. It’s up to you whether you want in oil or water. 🙂
Pat says
February 2, 2019 at 5:57 amRosie, I love the recipe. My concern is something else. I use to be able to get your recipe by Email but u don’t offer that anymore. I kept them all in my email folder but now I can’t. Can you help by adding Email as another way to share again?
Rosie says
February 2, 2019 at 4:27 pmHi Pat, I do still send out emails. You should have gotten one on Friday for this recipe. If not, please check your spam folder, or you may have to sign up again. The form is at the top of my blog 🙂
Angie says
February 2, 2019 at 7:58 amWOW! That is a great pic of Tuna Salad! WE made this and it is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. We added- 1 TBSP Ranch Powder. YUUUMMMMMY
Rosie says
February 2, 2019 at 4:27 pmThanks for trying Angie!
Hattie Blackmon says
February 2, 2019 at 8:23 pmThis salad is very delicious! I used tuna in oil because it’s more flavorful, and I drained the tuna.
Georgia Ross says
February 18, 2019 at 12:34 amHi Rosie,
I just found you tonight, I gotta say that I love you already, no Miracle Whip. Haha. It’s past midnight, but I’m sure I’ll be power pinning your recipes for the next 2 hours. Be well!!!