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Tuna Macaroni Crunch

Tuna Macaroni Crunch: A Quick and Crunchy Summer Delight

Tuna Macaroni Crunch is a quick, versatile salad that combines creamy elbow macaroni and protein-rich tuna for a satisfying summer meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni can substitute with gluten-free pasta
  • 1 quart water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 stalks green onion chopped
  • 1 medium bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 can canned tuna in olive oil
  • 1 cup celery diced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or vegan mayo
  • 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce chopped
Optional Add-Ins
  • 1 cup peas for added sweetness
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1/4 cup jalapeños finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Colander
  • serving spoon

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil Water: Bring a quart of water to a boil in a large pot. Add kosher salt to the water.
  2. Cook Pasta: Add elbow macaroni to the boiling water. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Mix Vegetables: In a mixing bowl, combine green onions, bell pepper, parsley, tuna, and celery. Drizzle with lemon juice and mix gently.
  4. Add Pasta: Fold the cooled macaroni into the vegetable mixture and add mayonnaise. Season with paprika and pepper.
  5. Incorporate Lettuce: Just before serving, fold in iceberg lettuce to keep it crisp.
  6. Serve: Scoop the salad into bowls or plates and enjoy fresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor. Add iceberg lettuce right before serving to maintain its crunch.

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