If “gentle,” “vibrant,” and “I want a second serving to, please!” don’t come to thoughts if you consider canned tuna, it’s since you haven’t made this Tuna Pasta Salad but.
A tuna pasta salad with veggies, a duo of contemporary and sun-dried tomatoes, contemporary herbs, and a lemony Greek yogurt dressing, this creamy tuna pasta salad (like this Shrimp Pasta Salad) punches above its weight.
Normal pasta salads fill me with dread.
I’ve had sufficient bland, goopy, and ho-hum piles of mayo-slicked pastas to final me the remainder of this life and into the subsequent (similar with all however this spectacular Healthy Potato Salad).
Nonetheless, I’ll cheer for this Mediterranean tuna pasta salad to be part of each summer season cookout.
If you’re nonetheless hesitant about canned tuna, please give this recipe (and this reader favourite Chickpea Tuna Salad) a attempt.
Paired with daring, citrusy, and briny elements, canned tuna can truly style good.
It’s budget-friendly and good for you too.
Find out how to Make Tuna Pasta
Impressed by comparable vibrant Mediterranean elements which are so yummy in Italian Tuna Salad, this creamy tuna pasta salad will redeem soggy, bland pasta salads (and poor canned tuna experiences) of the previous.
It’s an awesome make-ahead pasta salad for events and cookouts, and you’ll take pleasure in it for nutritious lunches and dinners too.
- Tuna pasta salad tastes even higher just a few hours after it’s made, so you’ll be able to prep it upfront of a gathering.
- It’s additionally wholesome (this can be a tuna pasta salad with out mayo) and filling (thanks complete grains and protein), making it a pleasant selection for meal-prep lunches.
The Elements
- Pasta. The addition of complete wheat pasta makes this salad a hearty, tasty, crowd-pleaser. Use shapes which are good for capturing the dressing too.
- Tuna. Canned tuna is a simple and nutritious means so as to add protein, wholesome fat, and nutritional vitamins. I choose to make use of wild caught albacore tuna, because it has a firmer texture and milder taste.
- Crimson Onion. Provides a pleasing chunk to the salad.
- Tomatoes, 2 Methods. A mixture of cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes creates the perfect Mediterranean-inspired mixture. The juicy cherry tomatoes burst with sweetness, and the sun-dried tomatoes add wealthy, concentrated taste.
- Crimson Bell Pepper. For a crisp, contemporary ingredient.
- Capers. Whereas non-compulsory, I extremely advocate including capers to your tuna salad. They convey simply the suitable about of salty, briny taste.
- Contemporary Parsley. What’s a Mediterranean tuna salad with out contemporary herbs? You should use contemporary parsley or basil.
- Greek Yogurt Dressing. This salad makes use of a lightweight and vibrant Greek yogurt dressing with lemon, honey, mustard, and spices. Black pepper, salt, and dried oregano are what spices go together with tuna pasta and this Greek yogurt dressing.
The Instructions
- Cook dinner, drain, and rinse the pasta.
- Whisk the dressing elements collectively.
- Add the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, capers, and parsley to a big bowl.
- Stir within the pasta and dressing.
- Flake the tuna into the bowl, tossing to mix. Refrigerate for no less than 1 hour. ENJOY!
Storage Ideas
- To Retailer. Refrigerate leftover pasta salad in an hermetic storage container for as much as 2 days.
Meal Prep Tip
As much as 1 day upfront, chop the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and herbs. Refrigerate every ingredient in a separate hermetic storage container.
What to Serve with Tuna Pasta Salad
Recipe Variations
This tuna pasta salad recipe is versatile.
- Stir in different contemporary veggies, similar to finely chopped broccoli or cauliflower, or diced celery.
- I don’t put eggs in tuna salad, however you possibly can add diced hard-boiled eggs in case you like.
- It is a tuna pasta salad with out peas, as I felt they distracted from the opposite Mediterranean components. That mentioned, be at liberty to take a observe from this Italian Farro Salad and toss them in in case you like.
If you happen to insist on making a tuna pasta salad with mayo, you’ll be able to swap as much as half of the Greek yogurt for it. You could wish to add additional lemon since Greek yogurt is tangy.
Really useful Instruments to Make this Recipe
- Citrus Juicer. Juicing lemons and limes has by no means been simpler.
- Salad Tongs. These are good for serving salads and extra.
- Mixing Bowls. Perfect for making ready salads and even salad dressings.
The Finest Mixing Bowls
This set of stackable glass mixing bowls can do all of it! Use them for mixing, storage, and even microwaving.
Tuna noodle pasta salad, you’ve obtained a contemporary, new look!
Regularly Requested Questions
Sure, you’ll be able to simply make this recipe gluten free by swapping the entire wheat pasta for a gluten free pasta.
For followers of spice, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crimson pepper flakes to the Greek yogurt dressing.
Whereas we love this salad with canned tuna, you possibly can attempt swapping in canned sardines or salmon as an alternative (in case you love salmon and pasta collectively, don’t miss my Salmon Pasta recipe).
FOR THE TUNA AND PASTA:
- 8 ounces raw complete wheat pasta similar to shells, rotini, or elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup finely diced crimson onion about 1 small
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes*
- 1 crimson bell pepper cored and minimize into 1/4-inch cube
- 3 tablespoons capers rinsed and drained (non-compulsory)
- 3 tablespoons chopped contemporary parsley or ¼ cup chopped contemporary basil
- 3 (4-ounce) cans wild caught albacore tuna
FOR THE DRESSING:
- 2/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon about 1/4 cup juice and 1 teaspoon zest
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt plus extra to style
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon floor black pepper plus extra to style
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Cook dinner the pasta in well-salted water to al dente based on the package deal directions. Drain in a colander, then rinse with chilly water to cease the cooking. Shake off as a lot water as potential. Let the colander with the pasta sit within the sink or on a towel to proceed draining whilst you put together the remainder of the salad.
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Place the crimson onion in a small bowl and canopy with chilly water. Let sit no less than 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
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In a small bowl or giant measuring cup, whisk collectively the dressing elements: Greek yogurt, lemon zest (zest it proper into the bowl), lemon juice, honey, Dijon, salt, oregano, and pepper.
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In a big serving bowl, place the cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, capers, and parsley.
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Shake the pasta as soon as extra, then add it to the bowl.
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Prime with the dressing and stir gently to mix.
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Flake the tuna into the bowl in large items, then toss gently to mix. Style and alter the seasoning as desired (relying upon your tuna, it’s possible you’ll want just a few extra good pinches of salt).
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For the very best style, refrigerate no less than 1 hour earlier than serving to permit the flavors to marry and develop. Take pleasure in immediately from the fridge or at room temperature.
- *You should use both dry-packed or oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. For dry-packed, rehydrate them by masking them with extremely popular water and letting soak for five minutes, then drain and pat dry. For oil-packed, use a paper towel to blot of extra oil first.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover pasta salad in an hermetic storage container for as much as 2 days.
Serving: 1(of 6)Energy: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 23gFats: 3gSaturated Fats: 1gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 1gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 25mgPotassium: 734mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1278IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg
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