If there is any magical ingredient in it, it's the Parmesan cheese in the dressing. Of course, the little chunks of cheddar don't hurt either!
Here's how to make it:
Chop onions & celery. Shred the carrot. Mix up all the dressing ingredients and then fold in the pasta. Mom always used shells, but feel free to use your favorite short pasta shape.
Mom always diced her cheese really small, so I do too. Gently fold in the cheese and tuna, and you're done.
You can eat it right away, but the flavors blend better after a while in the fridge.
Feel free to give this macaroni salad your own spin. Consider adding peas, substituting salmon for the tuna, or spicing it up with some minced pickled jalapenos. Make it your own!
This salad feeds a crowd and keeps for several days in the fridge, making it a great make-ahead dish.Find the complete recipe below, and please see the next slide for more pasta salad recipes.