The ladies of Hearth & Home are familiar with a little practice I call Blessing the Weekend. On Fridays I like to prepare a simple make-ahead meal like this tuna macaroni salad, that will carry us into the weekend with a bit more ease. Sometimes it’s a loaf of bread or batch of granola, but usually it’s a simple meal that can be served without much effort. It’s nice to have something quick to grab! Especially in summer when we’re outside most of the day.
In the colder months, this often looks like a hearty soup or stew. In the summer, it shifts to simpler, cooler foods. Egg salad, prepared burger patties, or a small sweet treat for whoever might stop by. But a summer of blessed weekends would not feel complete without this tuna macaroni salad making an appearance once or twice twice.
Summer weekends have a quicker pace than winter. Over breakfast we discuss our lists for the day and quickly get to it. And if we don’t plan correctly, soon enough hunger sets in and we’re scratching our heads over what’s for lunch. But the Fridays that I do take the time to bless the weekend, those are always the ones we are most grateful for come Saturday.
There is something so gratifying about working outside all morning, then coming in to a meal that is already prepared. This one is filling, refreshing, and requires nothing more than a bowl and a fork. What more could you ask for on a summer day?
We always use our garden peas, pulled from the freezer, and it has become one of the main reasons we grow them each year! I mean that! So perfect in this salad.
Blessing the Weekend Ideas
In case you’re curious, a little more insight into what I mean by Blessing the Weekend, in summertime.
- A simple make-ahead meal, like this tuna macaroni salad
- A loaf of fresh bread for sandwiches or toast
- A batch of granola for easy breakfasts
- Prepared burger patties or grilled meat for quick lunches
- Egg salad or another cold, ready-to-serve dish
- A sweet treat to share if someone stops by
- A batch of homemade ice cream
Any little thing than can be done to ease the kitchen workload on the weekend is a welcome respite.
This version of tuna macaroni Salad is made with homemade mayonnaise, which gives it a richness and flavor that is hard to match. If you like, you can also add a spoonful of homemade ranch seasoning mix for a little extra depth, though it is just as good kept simple. A little salt and pepper go a long way.
I know I keep talking about the weekend, but this is perfect for busy weeknights too. It comes together with pantry ingredients , making it a reliable option for busy days. The frozen peas thaw in no time.
Simple food, made ahead, ready when you need it. Blessing the weekend is often the difference between a rushed weekend and one that feels relatively calm and cared for.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Start cooking the pasta according to box directions.
- While the pasta cooks, add the mayonnaise, ranch mix, salt and pepper, and tuna to a large mixing bowl. Break up the tuna with a fork, then mix everything together well. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Mix in the frozen peas.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse with cold water. Don’t worry about the pasta being completely cold. The frozen peas will help chill the pasta as the slightly warm noodles thaw them, leaving the salad perfectly cooled.
- Stir everything together to combine. Check seasoning again, then serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Recipe for mayonnaise can be found here.
- Recipe for ranch seasoning mix can be found here.
2 Responses
I love your recipes!!!
🥰 Thank you, Charlene.