Refreshing Tuna Macaroni Salad with Cucumber and Dill
This Refreshing Tuna Macaroni Salad is the perfect combination of flavors and textures, making it an ideal dish for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch at home. The dish features tender elbow macaroni tossed with succulent albacore tuna, crisp cucumbers, and juicy grape tomatoes, all elevated by the aromatic notes of dill. Enjoy it chilled over a bed of greens or as a standalone salad. The cucumbers are lightly salted to enhance their crunchiness, while a creamy dressing unites all the ingredients for a delightful taste experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cucumber
1 (peeled, seeded, and diced)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (for salting cucumber)
Elbow macaroni
2 cups (uncooked)
Grape tomatoes
1 cup (each cut in half)
Red onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Albacore tuna
1 (6 ounce) can (drained and flaked)
Dill weed
3/4 teaspoon (dried)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Light sour cream
1/4 cup
Mayonnaise
3/4-1 cup (adjust to taste)
Low-fat milk
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the cucumbers: peel, seed, and dice them into small pieces. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and place them in a colander over a bowl. Let them sit for about 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then shake off any remaining liquid.
2
While the cucumbers are draining, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Allow it to drain well.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, halved grape tomatoes, chopped red onion, flaked tuna, dill weed, pepper, and the drained cucumbers.
4
Gently fold the ingredients together until they are well mixed. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the light sour cream, mayonnaise, and low-fat milk until smooth. Pour this mixture over the pasta salad and stir gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
5
Cover the salad with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
6
Before serving, taste the salad and add additional salt if needed. Serve chilled, either on its own or over a bed of fresh greens for an extra touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this Refreshing Tuna Macaroni Salad?
The main protein in this salad is one 6-ounce can of albacore tuna, drained and flaked.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients required to make this Refreshing Tuna Macaroni Salad.
What type of pasta is best for this tuna salad?
The recipe specifies using 2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni.
How should the cucumbers be prepared?
The cucumbers should be peeled, seeded, and diced into small pieces.
Why do I need to salt the cucumbers beforehand?
Salting the cucumbers and letting them sit for 20 minutes helps draw out excess moisture to keep the salad crisp.
How long should the macaroni be cooked?
The macaroni should be cooked until it reaches an al dente texture according to package instructions.
What vegetables are included in this salad besides cucumber?
The salad includes grape tomatoes and chopped red onion.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
You should use 1 cup of grape tomatoes, with each tomato cut in half.
What are the components of the creamy dressing?
The dressing consists of light sour cream, mayonnaise, and low-fat milk.
What herb provides the aromatic notes in this dish?
Dried dill weed is used to give the salad its signature aromatic flavor.
How long does the salad need to chill before serving?
The salad should be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Why is it important to chill the salad?
Chilling the salad for 2 hours allows the flavors of the different ingredients to meld together.
Can I serve this salad over anything else?
Yes, you can serve it chilled on its own or over a bed of fresh greens.
What is the recommended amount of mayonnaise?
The recipe suggests using between 3/4 and 1 cup of mayonnaise, adjusted to your personal taste.
How much milk is needed for the dressing?
Only 1 tablespoon of low-fat milk is needed to help smooth out the dressing.
Should I rinse the pasta after cooking?
Yes, you should rinse the cooked macaroni under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Is this recipe suitable for a picnic?
Yes, it is described as an ideal dish for picnics, potlucks, or light lunches.
What type of tuna is recommended?
Albacore tuna is recommended for this recipe.
How much red onion is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped red onion.
What seasoning is used besides dill?
The salad is seasoned with salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Can I use regular sour cream instead of light?
While the recipe calls for light sour cream, regular sour cream can be used as a substitute.
How should the tuna be added to the salad?
The tuna should be drained and flaked before being combined with the other ingredients.
What is the first step in preparing this recipe?
The first step is preparing the cucumbers by peeling, seeding, and dicing them.
How do I prevent the salad from being watery?
By salting the cucumbers and letting them drain in a colander, you remove the excess liquid that would otherwise make the salad watery.
Is this a healthy lunch option?
Yes, with tags like healthy and vegetable, and the use of light sour cream and low-fat milk, it is a lighter lunch choice.
How much dill weed is required?
The recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of dried dill weed.
Can I store this in an airtight container?
Yes, the instructions recommend transferring it to an airtight container before chilling.
What is the texture of the macaroni in this salad?
The macaroni should be tender but still firm, known as al dente.
Should the dressing be mixed separately?
Yes, whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, and milk in a separate small bowl before adding it to the pasta.
Can I add more salt after the salad is finished?
Yes, the recipe suggests tasting the salad before serving and adding more salt if needed.