Tuna Pasta Salad

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Tuna pasta salad is a tasty and easy meal you can whip up in no time. It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or bringing to potlucks. This recipe combines pasta, tuna, veggies, and a creamy dressing for a dish that’s both filling and refreshing.

You can make this salad your own by switching up the pasta shape or adding extra veggies. It’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients in your fridge. Plus, it stores well in the fridge for a few days, making it ideal for meal prep.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty tuna pasta salad:

• 12 oz pasta (shells, rotini, or bow tie)
• 2 cans (5 oz each) solid white albacore tuna in water, drained and flaked
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup diced red onion

For the dressing, gather these ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried dill (or 1 tbsp fresh dill)
• Salt and pepper to taste

You can easily adjust the amounts based on your preferences. Feel free to add more veggies or swap in your favorite pasta shape. The dressing can be tweaked too – add more mayo for extra creaminess or more yogurt for a tangier flavor.

Remember to chill the salad before serving. This lets all the yummy flavors come together. Enjoy your homemade tuna pasta salad!

Instructions

Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Add peas in the last minute. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.

Mix the pasta, peas, tuna, celery, and red onion in a big bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk mayo, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the pasta mix. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.

Taste and add more seasoning if needed.

Chill the salad for at least an hour before serving. This helps the flavors blend together.

When ready to eat, give it a quick stir. You can add some fresh dill on top if you like.

Serve and enjoy your tasty tuna pasta salad!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can easily customize this tuna pasta salad to suit your tastes. Try these simple swaps and additions:

Protein:

• Canned chicken instead of tuna
• Diced ham
• Chickpeas for a vegetarian option

Veggies:

• Diced cucumber
• Chopped bell peppers
• Sliced cherry tomatoes

Pasta shapes:

• Rotini
• Farfalle (bow-tie)
• Penne

For a zesty twist, add 1/4 cup chopped pickles or capers. Want more crunch? Toss in some chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts.

Make it creamier by using all mayo instead of the yogurt. For a lighter version, use more Greek yogurt and less mayo.

You can also play with the herbs and spices. Try fresh basil or parsley instead of dill. A pinch of garlic powder or Italian seasoning can add extra flavor.

For a Mediterranean flair, mix in some crumbled feta cheese and sliced Kalamata olives. You’ll love how versatile this salad can be!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make your tuna pasta salad extra tasty with these tips:

• Use high-quality tuna packed in olive oil for more flavor.
• Add crunch with chopped cucumber or bell peppers.
• Try different pasta shapes like rotini or bow ties.

For a lighter version:

• Swap some mayo for extra Greek yogurt
• Use whole wheat pasta instead of regular

To store your salad:

• Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge
• It will stay fresh for 3-4 days

Before serving chilled salad, let it sit out for 15 minutes. This brings out the flavors. Give it a quick stir and add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up.

Make a big batch on Sunday for easy lunches all week. Pack in small containers for grab-and-go meals.