Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
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Whether you’re throwing a cookout or barbecue, or just snacking at home, you can’t go wrong with macaroni salad. This Korean macaroni salad features add-ins like tuna and veggies to make it filling and pack in extra nutrients.
At many Korean restaurants or barbecues, diners are served “banchan,” a group of small, shareable side dishes, and it often features some kind of Korean macaroni salad.
In this healthy, kid-friendly Korean pasta salad recipe, tuna bulks up the dish with protein and iron, while corn and cucumber make it nice and crisp. The creamy mayo-based dressing brings everything together and adds a touch of sweetness.
Because of its creaminess, this is a great side dish to have alongside something savory or spicy, like Korean barbecue, as a cooling factor.
Related: Interested in learning about iron? Read all about the best iron-rich foods for kids, toddlers and babies.
Ingredients in Korean macaroni salad
With only a handful of common ingredients, this homemade macaroni salad is incredibly simple to make! Here’s the full list of macaroni salad ingredients:
Making macaroni salad is as easy as cooking the macaroni and tossing in the add-ins. Here’s how to prepare this simple mac salad:
Prepare macaroni according to package directions.
Prepare the dressing by mixing mayo, honey, lemon juice and salt in a bowl.
Combine cooked macaroni, tuna, corn, cucumber and dressing in a bowl and mix well.
Pro tips for making this Korean pasta salad recipe
Make sure to let the pasta cool down a bit before adding in the dressing. This will help maintain the creamy texture and also prevent the dressing from becoming too loose and slipping off the pasta.
This macaroni salad tastes even better as the flavors develop in the fridge. Make it ahead of time, it can last in the fridge up to 4 days, and the whole family will keep coming back for more.
Korean macaroni salad is often served as a side dish with plain white rice and a protein or veggie. Craving greens? You could also add a scoop of tuna macaroni salad to some greens to bulk up a salad. It’s also an excellent addition to any barbecue spread.
Serving macaroni salad to kids
Kids will love this pasta salad with mayo as a snack, either at home or at school. Serve this kid-friendly pasta salad with crackers, baby carrots, celery sticks or seasonal fruit, like strawberries or oranges. If packing in a lunchbox, include an ice pack.
For picky eaters, you could try offering mac salad on the side of chicken nuggets and barbecue sauce. Or, you could serve a deconstructed version of this simple salad by keeping the macaroni (either with or without dressing), cucumbers and corn all separate.
If you need help with your picky eater, read our expert tips to reverse picky eating.
Variations
Try switching up your noodles! Your little ones may enjoy getting creative with different pasta shapes like bowtie, shells or cavatappi pasta noodles.
In place of tuna, swap in some shredded rotisserie chicken as an alternative.
For extra crunch, add in some finely diced celery or red or yellow bell pepper.
Love coleslaw? Toss in a handful of shredded cabbage and carrots.
If you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, try swapping in Greek yogurt or even go half and half.
For a vegetarian or vegan macaroni salad, use mashed chickpeas in place of tuna, choose a vegan mayo, and swap maple syrup for honey.
For adults and big kids who love a spicy kick, you could also add some hot sauce to the dressing.
Have a picky toddler who doesn’t want to try corn?
Food play can help a selective eater get more comfortable with new foods. Set up an activity for your child with the defrosted frozen corn and let them construct a shape with the corn, like a heart, star or their name! Check out our guide for more information on how to help your child try corn.
Korean Macaroni Salad
Hee Jee Lee
This easy and quick Korean macaroni salad features add-ins like tuna and veggies to make it filling and pack in extra nutrients.
1Persian cucumber or half English cucumberchopped (W)
Instructions
Cook pasta per package instructions.
Meanwhile, prepare the dressing. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice and salt.
In a bowl, add cooked pasta, tuna, corn, cucumber, and dressing. Mix well and serve cold.
Notes
To store macaroni salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Ingredients with a “W” next to them are WIC-eligible items. WIC is the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children in the United States. It provides food to families with pregnant or postpartum women and young children. WIC-eligible items will vary based on location.
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About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Hee Jee is the founder and blogger of White Blank Space. She grew up in South Korea and immigrated to the United States for graduate school. Currently, she lives in California with her husband, who is originally from Mexico, and their two daughters.
This free veggie exposure shopping list and menu planner will give you ideas for bringing more veggies into your home (AND help you get your little one closer to eating them!).
Whether you’re throwing a cookout or barbecue, or just snacking at home, you can’t go wrong with macaroni salad. This Korean macaroni salad features add-ins like tuna and veggies to make it filling and pack in extra nutrients.
Korean macaroni salad recipe
At many Korean restaurants or barbecues, diners are served “banchan,” a group of small, shareable side dishes, and it often features some kind of Korean macaroni salad.
In this healthy, kid-friendly Korean pasta salad recipe, tuna bulks up the dish with protein and iron, while corn and cucumber make it nice and crisp. The creamy mayo-based dressing brings everything together and adds a touch of sweetness.
Because of its creaminess, this is a great side dish to have alongside something savory or spicy, like Korean barbecue, as a cooling factor.
Related: Interested in learning about iron? Read all about the best iron-rich foods for kids, toddlers and babies.
Ingredients in Korean macaroni salad
With only a handful of common ingredients, this homemade macaroni salad is incredibly simple to make! Here’s the full list of macaroni salad ingredients:
Related: Learn how to teach your kid to eat cucumbers.
How to make macaroni salad Korean style
Making macaroni salad is as easy as cooking the macaroni and tossing in the add-ins. Here’s how to prepare this simple mac salad:
Pro tips for making this Korean pasta salad recipe
Make sure to let the pasta cool down a bit before adding in the dressing. This will help maintain the creamy texture and also prevent the dressing from becoming too loose and slipping off the pasta.
This macaroni salad tastes even better as the flavors develop in the fridge. Make it ahead of time, it can last in the fridge up to 4 days, and the whole family will keep coming back for more.
Related: Whip up crisp, lunchbox-friendly vegetable fritters with peas and corn.
What to serve with macaroni salad
Korean macaroni salad is often served as a side dish with plain white rice and a protein or veggie. Craving greens? You could also add a scoop of tuna macaroni salad to some greens to bulk up a salad. It’s also an excellent addition to any barbecue spread.
Serving macaroni salad to kids
Kids will love this pasta salad with mayo as a snack, either at home or at school. Serve this kid-friendly pasta salad with crackers, baby carrots, celery sticks or seasonal fruit, like strawberries or oranges. If packing in a lunchbox, include an ice pack.
For picky eaters, you could try offering mac salad on the side of chicken nuggets and barbecue sauce. Or, you could serve a deconstructed version of this simple salad by keeping the macaroni (either with or without dressing), cucumbers and corn all separate.
If you need help with your picky eater, read our expert tips to reverse picky eating.
Variations
Related: For another Korean dish, try making easy bulgogi beef meatballs.
Have a picky toddler who doesn’t want to try corn?
Food play can help a selective eater get more comfortable with new foods. Set up an activity for your child with the defrosted frozen corn and let them construct a shape with the corn, like a heart, star or their name! Check out our guide for more information on how to help your child try corn.
Korean Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition