High-Protein Tuna Macaroni Salad is a healthy dish. It contains whole-wheat elbow macaroni, tuna fillets, celery, red bell pepper, scallions, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh dill, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. It has Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, which may not be suitable for dairy and egg allergies. Utilize the preferred variety of veggies, and herbs as it is versatile. We make the dish in 30 minutes, perfect for lunches or dinners, and it is also simple to make. Serve this dish with a garden salad, whole-grain dinner rolls, roasted broccoli, or fresh fruit salad. It is good to enjoy this salad chilled for the best flavor, though you can also store it in the refrigerator for several days, making it an excellent meal prep option.
STATS:
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Serving Size: 1 & ½ cups
- Course: Main Course, Salad
- Diet: High-Protein
EQUIPMENT:
- Large mixing vessel
- Cutting board
- Small mixing vessel
- Knife
- Large pot
- Silicone spatula
- Colander
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni (whole-wheat)
- 2 jars tuna fillets (packed in water)
- 1 cup celery
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh dill
- 1 cup red bell pepper
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- One-third cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup scallions
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
INGREDIENT NOTES:
WHOLE-WHEAT ELBOW MACARONI:
- We would utilize whole-wheat elbow macaroni to add extra fiber and nutrients while maintaining a nice texture. Make sure to cook the pasta until soft so it holds its shape in a nice way & doesn’t become mushy after mixing.
TUNA:
- We would utilize tuna packed in water to keep the salad lean while providing plenty of high-quality protein. Properly strain the tuna before adding it to prevent extra moisture & maintain the right texture.
GREEK YOGURT:
- Add whole-milk Greek yogurt to make the creamy dressing & increase the protein. Its slightly tangy flavor will stabilize the indulgence of mayonnaise & offer a smooth texture.
MAYONNAISE:
- Apply a moderate quantity of mayonnaise to form the typical creamy texture & also offer the indulgent taste. We would also use light mayonnaise instead.
VEGETABLES:
- Add fresh celery, red bell pepper, and scallions to add additional crunchiness, color, vitamins, & freshness. We would also utilize preferred vegetables like cucumbers, peas, carrots, or cherry tomatoes.
FRESH DILL:
- Add fresh dill to provide a herbaceous flavor & enrich the tune & lemon flavor. We would also utilize other fresh herbs if preferred.
LEMON JUICE & DIJON MUSTARD:
- Add lemon juice and Dijon mustard to improve the dressing and offer additional taste without adding many calories. We would also use these ingredients to balance the taste of creamy salad.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add the water to the pot and let it boil, then add the macaroni and boil it as mentioned on the pack.
- Now drain the pasta and wash under cold water to halt the cooking, then drain properly.
- Add the tuna, bell pepper, pasta, scallion slices, red bell pepper, and celery in the vessel and mix.
- Then include the Greek yogurt, dill, lemon juice, black pepper, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and salt and whisk to make it smooth.
- Include the dressing in pasta salad and mix it softly to coat entirety.
- Cover the salad & put in fridge for thirty minutes, then serve for good taste.
- Sprinkle the chopped scallions and serve the dish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
FRESH SALADS:
- Garden Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Tomato Salad
- Spinach Salad
- Mixed Greens
VEGETABLES:
- Steamed Broccoli
- Roasted Asparagus
- Green Beans
- Grilled Zucchini
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
BREAD:
- Whole-Grain Dinner Rolls
- Sourdough Bread
- Multigrain Bread
- Garlic Toast
- Whole-Wheat Crackers
HEALTHY SIDES:
- Fresh Fruit Salad
- Cottage Cheese
- Pickled Vegetables
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Avocado Slices
BEVERAGES:
- Lemon Water
- Iced Tea
- Sparkling Water
- Cucumber Mint Water
- Unsweetened Green Tea
TIPS:
- Cook the pasta just till it gets soft so the salad will not get mushy
- Strain the salad, then serve to provide good taste.
- Include the extra Greek yogurt in the dressing to add more protein to it.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Add the salad to a tight vessel and store for 4 days.
FREEZER:
- Don’t freeze this salad as the texture of the vegetables and dressing will get lost.
FAQs:
Can I utilize canned tuna to make this salad?
- Yes, add the water from canned tuna to prepare this salad.
What to utilize instead of mayonnaise?
- We can include light Greek yogurt and skyr to make the dressing.
Could we include extra vegetables in it?
- Yes, we would include cucumber, carrots, cherry tomatoes, or peas to add the extra vegetables.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 345 kcal
Net Carbs: 24 g
Total Carbs: 28 g
Servings: 6
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 26 g
Serving Size: 1 & ½ cups
Total Fat: 15 g
Vitamin A: 0.20 g
Calcium: 0.14 g
Iron: 0.002 g
Sodium: 0.48 g
Potassium: 0.42 g
