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Delicious bowl of Tuna Pasta Salad with fresh vegetables and dressing

Tuna Pasta Salad

A comforting Tuna Pasta Salad with briny tuna, crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for quick dinners, potlucks, or as a healthy lunch option.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces short pasta (elbow, rotini, or shells) hold a cup to taste
  • 2 cans tuna in water, drained and flaked swap with canned salmon for a twist
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved substitute with sun-dried tomatoes for deeper flavor
  • 3/4 cup cucumber, diced use celery for extra crunch
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped soak in cold water for milder bite
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed swap spinach with kale for a stronger green note
Dressing
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise mix with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangy dressing
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard yellow mustard works in a pinch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white wine vinegar for a subtler tang
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill; parsley is a great alternative
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Optional Ingredients
  • capers add for depth
  • olives add for depth
  • a pinch of smoked paprika for depth

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions—about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
  2. While the pasta cooks, whisk the dressing. In a medium bowl combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dill, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and adjust—this dressing should be bright and slightly tangy.
  3. Flake the drained tuna into a large mixing bowl with a fork, keeping some chunkier pieces for texture. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red onion, and peas.
Mixing and Cooling
  1. Add the cooled pasta to the tuna-vegetable mix. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently fold until everything is coated—be tender here so the tuna keeps its flaky texture.
  2. Chill for at least 15–20 minutes to let flavors marry; it tastes even better after an hour. If you’re serving immediately, a brief rest still helps the dressing settle into the pasta.
  3. Finish with fresh dill, a few turns of black pepper, and optional capers or olives. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Feel free to adapt to what’s in your pantry. This recipe is forgiving—a hallmark of good comfort food. For best texture, keep dressing slightly separate and fold in before serving for the freshest experience.