Description
Easy Tuna Pasta Salad is a simple, refreshing, and flavorful dish combining tender pasta, protein-rich tuna, and crisp fresh vegetables, all tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or light dinners, this salad is nutritious, versatile, and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups rotini or penne pasta
- 1 can (5 oz) good-quality tuna (in water or olive oil), drained
Fresh Vegetables
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, finely chop cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, celery, and red onion to add brightness and texture.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the cooled pasta, drained tuna, chopped vegetables, and dressing, being careful not to break up the tuna too much to keep chunky bites.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Chill: Stir in chopped parsley or dill. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use al dente pasta to ensure the salad isn’t mushy and holds the dressing better.
- Drain tuna well to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Chill the salad properly to enhance the flavor profile.
- Add dressing gradually to control creaminess without overdoing it.
- Add fresh herbs last, right before serving, to keep their aroma vibrant.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg