I love my husband for a lot of reasons. One of those reasons is he is so easy going and easy to please. I can make whatever I want for dinner and he will love it as much as if it were his favorite meal ever. This makes things easy on me when I am stressed out and am racking my brain for an idea for the evening meal.
One of his favorite things to eat, which I love to make, is any kind of macaroni salad. My daughter is on the fence about macaroni salad, but if I make my easy peasy Whole Grain Tuna Macaroni Pasta Salad, she could eat it for days.
Oh my goodness guys, this Whole Grain Tuna Macaroni Pasta Salad is such an easy dish to make. And it is such a crowd pleaser. I make this for school functions, for special occasions at my husband’s work, for BBQ’s and anything in between. Of course you can use any type of macaroni you like, but I choose whole grain.
I am not eating white flour anymore, so if I make this will whole grain pasta, I can eat it as well. Instead of tuna, I have also made it with crab, which is absolutely delicious. You can also leave out the peas if you aren’t a fan (I am not) and add bell peppers and onions or broccoli.
You can make it with mayo or Miracle Whip, which adds a tang that I really enjoy. I guess the main thing is just to be ready to make more because this dish won’t last long! For another dish your family will love, give my Deviled Egg Macaroni Pasta Salad a try!
I did quite a bit of chopping in this, as I do in many of my other recipes. I hate to chop everything my hand. I found a great article on choosing the best vegetable chopper, which I found helpful. I use my Zyliss Easy Pull Manual Food Processor, which sells for just $29. It is affordable and works like a charm!
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Ingredients
- 1 package of multi grain elbow macaroni
- 1 can tuna, drained
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- 1 small bag of frozen baby peas, cooked according to package directions
- 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dill relish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Paprika for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender. Drain and set aside..
- In a large bowl, stir together the tuna, celery, onion and peas. Mix in the mayonnaise, relish, salt and pepper. Add the macaroni and egg and garnish with paprika. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

What is your go to dish that is a real crowd pleaser?

I like to make potato salad for a big gathering.
My green bean casserole is a big crowd pleaser.
pasta salad is definitely a huge crowd pleaser no matter where I go. That is one dish I always get a request to make
I am trying to eat better and not gain a ton of weight this holiday season, yeah I know its going to be an uphill battle. At least I can try with this one! Looks great!
I love macaroni salad, although my version is different. I would love to try this recipe out. Different tastes are always welcome in my home.
California Pasta Salad is my go to side dish
I’ve got to send this to my mom. She’s been making a tuna casserole for years, so I know she’d love this.
My side dish is a 3-bean salad. I like to make tart, but with some sweetness, too.
This is my favorite salad! I don’t think I’ve ever had whole grain though, but I bet it’s just as delicious. This looks so good!
I don’t think I have made a macaroni salad with tuna before! This sounds like a delicious salad, I love that it’s whole grain.
That sounds delicious. It is a perfect side dish or even a meal if you want to eat light.
I love to make potato salad
I’m not a big fan of macaroni salad, but my family is so I think I’ll try this out for our holiday dinner. The thing I do like about recipes like these is that they can be served in a pinch and are easy to make!
Oh my daughter would just love this recipe. The macaroni salad on its own would win her over but the protein boost from the tuna would be perfect.
This Whole Grain Tuna Macaroni Pasta Salad looks so delicious and easy to make. I am always looking for new recipes to try.
This looks like a great recipe. This would be great to make with my kids. They love to help in the kitchen.
OMG! Macaroni salad. I really love this. So yummy and delicious. I’m going to make some at home. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
This sounds delicious, I love tuna macaroni salad and the healthier twist on this is great.
Macaroni salad is one of my husband’s favorite side dishes! This is a great dish for him!
Your tuna salad looks amazing. I love what you did to add so much color to it with those raw veggies.
No meal is complete without some sort of pasta
Tuna Macaroni Pasta Salad reminds me of my childhood. Your recipe is a much healthier version that what I used to have. May have to try it soon!
Mmm, this looks so good. My husband has a similar recipe, I will have to show him this.
My crowd pleaser side is a green bean, bacon, mushroom, cheese, onion casserole laced with wine.
My signature side dish is Queso dip
I like to bring macaroni salad to events.
sweet potato casserole
Looks like something I need to try.
Homemade mashed potates are my go to. Easy, delicious, and a crowd favorite.
My crowd pleasing side dish is definitely my homemade Bacon Mac & Cheese! It’s an old family recipe and always go the fastest on the table and there is never any left overs!
I make a coleslaw that includes pineapple that everyone loves.
Potato or veggi!e salad always win
Everyone likes our macaroni salad
Mac and cheese is a great side dish that everyone loves.
My go to side dish is a baked mac and cheese! It’s a family favorite and I bring it to every pot luck 🙂
like to make pasta salad – yum
This is one of my favorite salads with a slight twist. I can’t wait to make this version.
potato salad
a pasta salad is always good and easy
My favorite crowd pleasing side dish is my potato salad.
I make a tortellini salad for big crowds. I make the same for smaller crowds but add shrimp.
Mine is stuffed mushrooms! Always a big hit!
My baked veggies are always popular.
I usually make cheesy potatoes.
I love tuna pasta too! It is such an easy and quick meal to prepare too!
It’s a toss up between my baked beans or my jalapeño cornbread.
Mac N Cheese is always a winner.
Deviled eggs is my Go To side!
Everyone loves it when I make my homemade mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese as a side!
I like to bring a fruit salad. Colorful and sweet!
My go to favorite side dish is 7-Layer salad. This chopper would save time and my fingers!
The guys will eat all of my tuna mac salad with mushrooms and green peas. Always need to make more for the girls.
I like to make pasta salad!
Definitely my Jalapeno poppers chopped and diced!
cheesy potatoes
I remember my grandma making something similar to this when I was a little girl. I loved it then and I am sure I would love this version now! Thank you for sharing and reminding me of great memories.
Oh wow, that chopper looks so easy-to-use. My MIL has issues with her hands, so this would be great for her. And that recipe sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing 😉
Pasta salad
Macaroni and cheese is my go-to side dish.
scalloped potatoes
potato salad.
Tuna salad
3-bean salad is a favorite.
I love making Potato Salad for family parties.
It is stuffed mushrooms.
Everyone loves my green beans with bacon.
Potato salad for sure
My macaroni salad and my fruit salad are crowd pleasers.
My go-to side dish that’s a crowd pleaser is a cranberry relish. The kind with ground cranberries, whipped topping, oranges, and mini marshmallows. It’s as much a dessert as it is a side dish, but people really like it year round. I buy extra bags of cranberries in the fall and freeze them, so I can make this year round.
Brown sugar baked beans is for sure a crowd pleaser here!
I serve homemade hummus and pita chips that are big crowd favorites.
My salsa and quacamole are always a big crowd pleaser. It seems like the bowls are always empty when I take them home.
bob a roni..pastats salad
Potato salad is a huge crowd.please user
Deviled eggs is my go to.
roasted garlic potatos
Everyone loves my Fumi Salad with red & green cabbage.
OMG i COULD MAKE SO MANY DIFFERENT SOUPS, With this
Fruit salad is a big crowd pleaser.
Potato salad
During the holidays, Acorn Squash Fries.
My green beans with hot bacon dressing is one of the favorite side dishes
Garlic green beans are a family favorite with dinner for my family.
My go to side dish is macaroni and cheese.
sweet potato casserole
mashed potatoes
I make a mean pot of baked beans!
It is crab meat au gratin.
My favorite side dish to have is roasted onion potaoes but my family loves the cheesy broccoli bake.
crowd pleaser is potato salad and coleslaw
My cole slaw is pretty good. People really do love my potato salad.
Scalloped potatoes and ham is my go to side dish, I’m asked to make it anytime a dish needs to be brought.
mac and cheese! 🙂
Sweet potato fries with marshmellow dipping sauce. Thank you for the chance.
My go to side is butter noodle because everyone will eat them
asta salad is definitely a huge crowd pleaser no matter where I go.
I love mashed potatoes.
Fresh Corn is a wonderful side dish.
Potato salad!
I am the Macaroni and Cheese maker in the family.
My Southwestern quinoa salad is a crowd-pleaser!
i like to make a spinach artichoke dip.
People seem to really like my macaroni salad.
I’ve been into making homemade soups this winter and my family seems to like it. Italian Weddings is their favorite so far.
Our go to side dish is one my husband makes– it’s called “salpicon” and is a traditional side dish from his hometown in Spain. I love it! And it is always a hit everywhere we bring it. It is mostly finely chopped crab and shrimp, so the chopper would be perfect for making it!
My five cheese mac and cheese
My family loves pasta salad I put a lot of fresh veggies in it, it is always a big hit
Spinach dip with baguettes.
my kids love green bean casserole
Homemade mac and cheese! I have a delicious recipe I got from my aunt…… super cheesy and serves a crowd!
I love green peas with mushrooms.
Cheesey potatoes
tuna macaroni salad=awesome
My family likes my Potatoes Au Gratin,
My go to side dish that is a big crowd pleaser is yams!
This looks really good. Mac and cheese is my go-to side dish for a gathering. 🙂
My macaroni salad
My go to is 7 layer dip.
My to go to side dish is Macaroni salad, you can do a lot of different things to it.
I make stuffed mushrooms and they are always a hit.
I definitely make a large batch of potato salad for gatherings. Lots of chopping required! 🙂
Macaroni and cheese! I just made it a few days ago for Christmas dinner. It’s always everyone’s favorite.
My go to side dish is a creamed corn casserole.
Buffalo Chicken Dip is a crowd pleaser at my home.
I make a good isRaeli salad
I always bring fresh fruit, because most people like a healthy choice 🙂
I make stuffing balls out of stuffing, parmesan, spinach, mushrooms, onions and eggs. So good!
I love tuna salad. I think I would like this version too. Now that is it warmer weather…. I will be putting this on the menu.
What a yummy dish to bring to a potluck. It looks easy to make too.
This looks really tasty Kelly. I am very partial to a devilled egg myself so I like the idea of mixing it up into a pasta salad. I really do like salads with eggs in them
I am always looking for new healthy recipe to try. I love that this is a whole grain salad. I will have to give this recipe a try this weekend.
I have never put eggs and tuna together but it is a great idea. I am making this for my family tomorrow and guarantee we will each love it!
I am all about easy meals and whole grains! Your Whole Grain Tuna Macaroni Pasta Salad sounds like a perfect addition to my recipe book for my family!
Oh, I love your recipe. I think I need to cook this for my family this weekend.
Delicious and very nice recipe and healthy too. I am definitely going to try it
Ah this is so yummy! I always love having tuna and egg together.
oh, my goodness! That looks really good. I’ve never had this kind of pasta salad before. I would love to try it! Thanks for sharing.
This looks so good! I love deviled eggs! I would probably sub the tuna for chicken though!
Looks & sounds delicious so maybe tomorrow night’s dinner? Thanks for sharing
Thanks a lot for your recipe! It helps me to be healthy. I’ll try it tomorrow.
In the summer, my favorite side dish is cucumber and onion salad made with a vinegar dressing.
I love that they make whole wheat macaroni! This dish looks so good and delicious! My husband would love this. Especially for lunch.
Oh my, I gotta try this recipe. Looks really delicious!
Yum – this looks super delicious! I think I could even get my kids to eat this dish — adding it to next week’s grocery list!