Tuna Pasta Salad (Printer-friendly)

Refreshing pasta with tuna, vegetables, and creamy dressing

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)

→ Fish

02 - 2 cans (5 oz each, drained) solid tuna in water or oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 cup celery, diced
06 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
07 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
10 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
11 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, drained tuna, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, cucumber, olives, and parsley to the bowl with the dressing.
04 - Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together for best taste.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • This salad gets better as it sits making it perfect for meal prep or make ahead gatherings
  • The combination of creamy and crunchy textures keeps every bite interesting
02 -
  • Skip the rinse step and your pasta will turn gummy and absorb all the dressing before it even chills
  • This salad tastes noticeably better after a few hours in the fridge so do not rush the chilling time
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think you need because they shrink in the fridge
  • Use tuna packed in olive oil for special occasions when you want extra richness