Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
This Tuna Pasta Salad is a refreshing, protein-packed dish combining al dente pasta shells with flaky albacore tuna, crisp celery, sweet peas, and a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it’s easy to prepare and can be served immediately or chilled for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Tuna
- 8 ounces small shells pasta (or your favorite bite-size pasta)
- 7 ounces canned albacore white tuna, packed in water, drained
Vegetables
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- Dried dill weed, to taste (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the small shells pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped red onion, chopped celery, frozen peas, cooked pasta, and the drained albacore tuna, breaking up the tuna into bite-sized pieces as you mix.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and plain Greek yogurt until smoothly combined. This creates a creamy and tangy dressing that balances the salad.
- Mix Salad: Pour half of the dressing into the bowl with the pasta mixture and toss well to coat everything evenly. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried dill weed if using, adjusting to taste.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it along with the remaining dressing separately for 30 minutes. Before serving, stir in the reserved dressing for extra creaminess. Serve immediately for a fresh, cool pasta salad experience.
Notes
- Using small shells pasta or a similar bite-size pasta helps the salad hold together and enhances each bite.
- Draining the tuna thoroughly ensures the salad does not become watery.
- Refrigerating the salad before serving allows the flavors to meld better.
- You can customize the salad by adding chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, or fresh herbs for more freshness.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat mayonnaise or more Greek yogurt as preferred.
Keywords: tuna pasta salad, easy pasta salad, albacore tuna recipe, healthy pasta salad, cold pasta dish
Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/tuna-pasta-salad-recipe/
