The Ultimate Creamy & Classic Tuna Pasta Salad
This recipe delivers a classic, creamy tuna pasta salad that is simple to make and perfect for quick dinners, meal prepping, or serving at your next potluck. It uses accessible ingredients for a satisfying, familiar flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) solid white tuna in water, drained well
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain thoroughly.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, drained tuna, thawed peas, chopped celery, and chopped red onion.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth. This creates your best dressing for tuna pasta salad.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and tuna mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) before serving your family favorite pasta salad.
Notes
- For a high protein pasta salad, use chickpea or lentil-based pasta.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- This make ahead pasta salad tastes best when prepared a few hours in advance.
- For a picnic and potluck salads version, keep the salad well chilled until serving time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 45