This Tuna Pasta Salad is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or as a side for your next barbecue or picnic. Made with tender pasta, canned tuna, peas, and a creamy dressing, this salad is satisfying, simple, and budget-friendly. With the option to customize with extra vegetables or a second can of tuna, it’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to your tastes and what you have on hand.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
- Pasta Salad:
- 1 pound rotini pasta (or small-shaped pasta like elbow macaroni, small shells, etc.)
- 5 ounces water-packed tuna (drained, from one 5-ounce can or two 2.5-ounce packets)
- ½ cup peas (fresh or thawed if using frozen)
- ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
- ¾ cup sour cream (or thick Greek yogurt)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons seasoning salt (such as Lawry’s or a mix of onion powder and garlic powder)
- ½ teaspoon dried dill (or 1 teaspoon fresh dill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Cook the Pasta:
Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside in a large bowl. - Combine Salad Ingredients:
Add tuna, peas, relish, seasoning salt, and dill to the bowl with pasta. Stir gently to combine. - Make the Dressing:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, seasoning salt, and dill. Adjust to taste with salt and pepper. - Mix the Salad:
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. If it looks dry, add more mayo or sour cream. - Chill and Serve:
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Nutrients
(Note: Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on exact ingredients used)
- Calories: 525 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 34mg
- Sodium: 922mg
- Potassium: 221mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Vitamin A: 334 IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 44mg
- Iron: 1mg
Why Tuna Pasta Salad is a Go-To Recipe
Tuna Pasta Salad is an ideal recipe for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or casual gatherings. It requires minimal cooking and can be made in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together over time. The combination of pasta and tuna makes it filling, while the peas and relish add bursts of flavor and texture. The creamy dressing, with its tangy Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, and fresh dill, perfectly balances the other ingredients and adds depth to the dish.
Additionally, this dish is customizable to suit a wide range of dietary preferences. If you prefer more vegetables, you can add celery, cucumber, or bell peppers. If you’re looking for extra protein, a second can of tuna can be added, or you can use rotisserie chicken as an alternative. The flexibility of this recipe makes it a family-friendly favorite that can be enjoyed by everyone.
How to Make Tuna Pasta Salad
Making Tuna Pasta Salad is simple and quick, with just a few steps to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. Here’s how to prepare it:
- Cook the Pasta
Start by boiling the rotini pasta (or any small-shaped pasta like elbow macaroni or small shells) according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook it until al dente for the best texture. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down. Set the pasta aside in a large bowl.
- Combine Salad Ingredients
Add the tuna, peas, sweet pickle relish, seasoning salt, and dried dill to the bowl with the pasta. Gently stir the ingredients together, ensuring that everything is evenly distributed. The tuna provides a savory protein, while the peas and relish bring a pop of color and a slight sweetness to the salad.
- Make the Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise, ¾ cup sour cream (or thick Greek yogurt for a lighter option), 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 to 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and the seasoning salt and dill. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. This creamy dressing is what ties all the ingredients together and gives the salad its rich, tangy flavor.
- Mix the Salad
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. If the salad looks dry, you can add more mayonnaise or sour cream to get your desired consistency. Stir gently to avoid breaking up the tuna too much.
- Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld together, making it even more delicious. Just before serving, you can garnish with fresh parsley or green onions for an added touch of color and flavor.
Why This Tuna Pasta Salad is a Favorite
Tuna Pasta Salad is so loved because it’s the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and tangy flavors. The tuna provides a rich and satisfying protein, while the creamy dressing coats the pasta and vegetables in a flavorful layer. The sweetness of the pickle relish and the slight crunch of the peas add contrast to the smooth texture of the pasta, creating a dish that’s both refreshing and filling.
The versatility of this dish also makes it a go-to option for any occasion. You can make it ahead of time, and it stays fresh in the fridge for a few days, making it a great option for meal prep or picnics. Whether served on its own or alongside other dishes, Tuna Pasta Salad is a versatile, hearty dish that’s sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
Nutritional Information for Tuna Pasta Salad
Each serving of Tuna Pasta Salad contains approximately 525 calories, with 28 grams of carbohydrates, 31 grams of fat, and 12 grams of protein. The fat content is moderate, including 6 grams of saturated fat, coming from the mayonnaise and sour cream. This dish is a good source of protein, helping to keep you full and satisfied.
The salad also contains 2 grams of fiber, which supports digestion, and 5 grams of sugar, which mainly comes from the natural sweetness of the pickle relish. It provides important vitamins and minerals, including 3,500 IU of vitamin A, which supports healthy skin and vision, and 5 milligrams of vitamin C for immune health.
With 800 milligrams of sodium, it’s important to be mindful of the salt content, especially if you are sensitive to sodium or watching your intake. However, the sodium level is typical for a dish with mayonnaise and canned tuna, and you can adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Serving Suggestions for Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuna Pasta Salad is a versatile dish that pairs well with many other foods. Here are some serving suggestions:
- As a Side Dish: Serve it alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or burgers for a complete meal.
- For Lunch or Dinner: Tuna Pasta Salad can stand alone as a light lunch or dinner, offering a balanced mix of protein and carbs.
- At a BBQ or Picnic: It’s the perfect side for outdoor gatherings like barbecues, picnics, or potlucks. It’s easy to transport, and its flavors are even better after sitting for a while.
- With Additional Vegetables: Add extra veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, or olives to make the salad even more colorful and nutritious.
Conclusion
Tuna Pasta Salad is a simple, flavorful, and versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its creamy dressing, hearty tuna, and vibrant vegetables, it’s sure to be a hit at lunch, dinner, or as a side at your next gathering. Quick to make and customizable to suit your preferences, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare, making it a staple in any kitchen. Whether you enjoy it as a standalone meal or as part of a larger spread, Tuna Pasta Salad is a delightful, crowd-pleasing option.