Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is a classic, creamy pasta salad that combines cooked elbow macaroni with canned tuna, mayonnaise, and a mix of crunchy vegetables like celery and onion. It is a staple of American home cooking and potlucks, often served chilled as a side dish or a light main course.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is typically high in carbohydrates from the pasta and fat from the mayonnaise, while the tuna provides a good source of protein. A standard serving offers a balance of macronutrients and provides key nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, with a rough calorie range of 350-500 calories per cup.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 8 mg |
| Selenium | 45 mcg |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 5 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a quintessential example of a 'pantry meal' in the United States, valued for its convenience and use of shelf-stable ingredients. Nutritionally, it's interesting because it can be a source of heart-healthy omega-3s from the tuna, though this benefit is often balanced against the high fat content of the dressing.
