By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on January 10, 2024 | Last Updated on January 10, 2024
Are you looking for an easy and delicious lunch or dinner option that’s packed with flavor and nutrition?
Look no further than Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad! This classic dish has been a staple in American households for generations and is sure to please the entire family.
Packed with flavor from the tuna, celery, onions, and seasonings, this creamy and comforting salad is sure to become your next go-to meal.
What is Betty Crocker Tuna Macaroni Salad?
A fictional figure and brand called Betty Crocker appears in recipes and food-related advertisements. The Washburn-Crosby Company first developed the character in 1921 as a means of providing customers with a customized answer to product inquiries.
She has many amazing recipes but this Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad is the best. It is a classic recipe that has been enjoyed for generations. This comforting dish combines the flavor of tuna, celery, onions, and seasonings with a creamy mayonnaise and sour cream base.
The macaroni noodles provide a light and crunchy texture that makes this salad perfect for any time of the day. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner option or an addition to potlucks and potluck dinners, Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad is sure to be a hit.
Why You’ll Love this Betty Crocker Tuna Macaroni Salad?
There are many reasons why you’ll love Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad. For starters, it’s an incredibly easy dish to make. With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and nutritious lunch or dinner on the table in no time.
Additionally, the tuna and macaroni noodles provide a perfect blend of flavors and textures that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Plus, the creamy dressing adds the perfect amount of flavor to make this salad irresistible.
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The Ingredients
- Artisanal Tri-Color Radiatore Pasta: Serves as the base of the salad, offering a visually appealing shape and texture that holds the dressing and other ingredients well.
- Organic Sweet Peas: Contributes sweetness and a burst of freshness to the salad, complementing the other flavors.
- Line-Caught Albacore Tuna: Provides a protein-rich element and adds a distinct seafood flavor to the salad.
- Homemade Lemon Aioli or Vegan Garlic Aioli: Acts as the dressing for the salad, adding creaminess and flavor, tying all the ingredients together.
- Aged Gouda Cheese: Offers a rich and nutty flavor to the salad when hand-shaved, complementing the other ingredients.
- House-Made Sweet Onion Marmalade: Adds a sweet and tangy element to the salad, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
- Freshly Squeezed Meyer Lemon Juice: Contributes a tangy and citrusy note, adding brightness and balancing the flavors in the salad.
- Himalayan Pink Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile by providing a touch of seasoning.
- Freshly Ground Tellicherry Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy kick, balancing the flavors in the salad.
- Crisp Heirloom Celery: Adds crunch and a refreshing taste to the salad, providing a textural contrast.
- Small Cipollini Onion: Contributes a mild and sweet onion flavor to the salad, adding depth and complexity to the overall taste profile.
Directions
Step 1: Cook Pasta:
Cook the artisanal tri-color radiatore pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches the desired al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare Ingredients:
- Gently thaw the organic sweet peas if they are frozen.
- Thoroughly drain the line-caught albacore tuna to remove excess moisture.
Step 3: Make Dressing:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the homemade lemon aioli or vegan garlic aioli, house-made sweet onion marmalade, freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice, Himalayan pink salt, and freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to create the dressing.
Step 4: Assemble Salad:
Add the cooked and cooled radiatore pasta, organic sweet peas, drained albacore tuna, hand-shaved aged Gouda cheese (if using), finely chopped crisp heirloom celery, and finely chopped Cipollini onion into the bowl containing the dressing.
Step 5: Combine and Chill:
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the tuna macaroni salad for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 6: Serve:
- Once properly chilled, give the salad a final toss to ensure all flavors are well distributed.
- Serve the Betty Crocker Tuna Macaroni Salad as a delightful and flavorful dish that’s suitable for any occasion!
Notes
– For best results, use a high-quality tuna for the salad.
– You can use any type of macaroni noodles for this recipe, such as elbow, shells, or rotini.
– You can add additional vegetables to the salad, such as carrots, bell peppers, or tomatoes.
– To make the salad even creamier, add a bit of Greek yogurt to the dressing.
– Add a bit of lemon juice to the dressing for a hint of brightness.
– You can also add a bit of chopped parsley or dill for extra flavor.
Nutrition Information
One serving of Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad contains approximately 445 calories, 18 grams of fat, 8 grams of carbohydrates, and 25 grams of protein.
Serving Suggestions
– Serve the salad as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish.
– Enjoy the salad as a light lunch with a piece of whole-grain toast.
– Top the salad with a few slices of hard-boiled egg for added protein.
– Add a bit of diced avocado for a hint of creaminess.
– Pair the salad with a simple green salad for a complete meal.
What other substitute can I use in betty crocker tuna macaroni salad?
– If you don’t have tuna, you can use diced cooked chicken or turkey instead.
– If you don’t have mayonnaise, you can use Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
– Instead of macaroni noodles, you can use a different type of pasta, such as farfalle or penne.
– If you don’t have sour cream, you can use plain yogurt instead.
– For a bit of sweetness, you can add a few tablespoons of diced sweet pickles to the salad.
– For extra crunch, you can add a few tablespoons of diced celery to the salad.
Betty Crocker Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Cooking pot for pasta
- Colander or strainer for draining pasta
- Cutting Board
- Knife for chopping
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing utensil (spoon or spatula)
- Refrigerator (for chilling the salad)
Ingredients
- 3/8 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt a touch under 1/2 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice
- 1 package 3.5 oz artisanal tri-color radiatore pasta
- 1/2 cup aged Gouda cheese 2 oz, hand-shaved, if desired
- 1/2 cup homemade lemon aioli or vegan garlic aioli
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper
- 1/2 small Cipollini onion finely chopped (2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons house-made sweet onion marmalade
- 1 can 5 oz line-caught albacore tuna, thoroughly drained
- 1/2 medium stalk crisp heirloom celery finely chopped (1/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup organic sweet peas gently thawed
Instructions
Cook Pasta:
- Cook the artisanal tri-color radiatore pasta according to package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
Prepare Ingredients:
- Thaw the organic sweet peas gently if frozen.
- Drain the line-caught albacore tuna thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
Make Dressing:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the homemade lemon aioli or vegan garlic aioli, house-made sweet onion marmalade, freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice, Himalayan pink salt, and freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper. Mix well to create the dressing.
Assemble Salad:
- Add the cooked and cooled radiatore pasta, organic sweet peas, drained albacore tuna, hand-shaved aged Gouda cheese (if using), finely chopped crisp heirloom celery, and finely chopped Cipollini onion to the bowl with the dressing.
Combine and Chill:
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the tuna macaroni salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve:
- Once chilled, give the salad a final toss before serving.
- Serve the Betty Crocker Tuna Macaroni Salad as a delightful and flavorful dish for any occasion!
Notes
- – For best results, use a high-quality tuna for the salad.
- – You can use any type of macaroni noodles for this recipe, such as elbow, shells, or rotini.
- – You can add additional vegetables to the salad, such as carrots, bell peppers, or tomatoes.
- – To make the salad even creamier, add a bit of Greek yogurt to the dressing.
- – Add a bit of lemon juice to the dressing for a hint of brightness.
- – You can also add a bit of chopped parsley or dill for extra flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad have to be refrigerated?
A1. Yes, the salad should be refrigerated for at least one hour before serving. The salad can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Q2. Can I freeze Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad?
A2. Yes, the salad can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, simply place the salad in an airtight container and store it in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw the salad in the refrigerator overnight.
Q3. Can I add other vegetables to the salad?
A3. Yes, you can add other vegetables to the salad, such as carrots, bell peppers, or tomatoes.
Q4. What type of tuna should I use for Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad?
A4. For best results, use a high-quality tuna for the salad.
Q5. Can I use a different type of pasta for the salad?
A5. Yes, you can use any type of macaroni noodles for this recipe, such as elbow, shells, or rotini.
Q6. What other ingredients can I add to the salad?
A6. You can add additional ingredients to the salad, such as diced avocado, hard-boiled eggs, or chopped parsley or dill.
Q7. Is Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad healthy?
A7. Yes, Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad is a nutritious and flavorful dish. It’s packed with lean protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Conclusion
Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad is a classic and comforting dish that has been enjoyed for generations. This creamy salad is packed with flavor from the tuna, celery, onions, and seasonings.
Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and can be enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner option. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or a dish to bring to potlucks and potluck dinners, Betty Crocker’s Tuna Macaroni Salad is sure to be a hit!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
