Description

Curried Tuna Pasta Salad is a vibrant and creamy salad that combines elbow macaroni with crunchy celery, sweet green apples, golden raisins, and tender chunk tuna. Tossed in a zesty curry-infused mayonnaise dressing and garnished with sliced almonds, this salad is perfect for a refreshing lunch or a flavorful side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

2 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons curry powder

Salad

1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 green apple, cored and diced
1/4 cup golden raisins
12 ounces canned chunk tuna, drained

Garnish

1/4 cup sliced almonds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, kosher salt, coarse ground black pepper, lemon juice, and curry powder. Whisk these ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooked and drained elbow macaroni, chopped celery, diced green apple, and golden raisins to the dressing. Toss everything gently to ensure all components are evenly coated with the curry dressing.
Add Tuna: Carefully fold in the drained chunk tuna, mixing gently to prevent breaking the tuna pieces while making sure they are fully coated with the dressing.
Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the top of the salad with sliced almonds for added crunch and a nutty flavor. Serve chilled.

Notes

For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Use low-fat mayonnaise if you want to reduce the fat content, though it will slightly alter the creaminess.
Substitute golden raisins with regular raisins or dried cranberries for a different fruity note.
Make sure to drain the tuna thoroughly to avoid a watery salad.
This salad can be prepared a day in advance for convenient meal prep.