Easy Tuna Pasta Salad
Easy Tuna Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for a quick and easy pasta salad to make for lunch or a summer picnic, this Tuna Pasta Salad is perfect! This classic recipe is a summer favourite.
Recipe Snapshot
EASE: Ready in less than 1 hour.
MAKE AHEAD: A great make ahead recipe.
SERVING: Great for lunch, picnics and potlucks!
I love the versatility of pasta salads!
Pasta salads are easy and delicious meal time options all year round, but they’re especially great in summer! Pasta salads like this tuna pasta salad are a full meal in one bowl…with a protein (tuna), veggies and pasta. So good. I try make some type of pasta salad each week during the summer months so we have a ready-to-go lunch option in the fridge for the week ahead that everyone can just help themselves to, or I’ll make one to take on picnics or summer hikes.
Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe Tips
- NOODLES: I used bow tie pasta for this tuna pasta salad, but you can use any bite sized pasta that you like.
- TUNA: This recipe uses 2 cans of white flaked tuna (packed in water). You can use 1 can, but if you want tuna in every bite, use 2 cans.
- ONION: I use chopped green onion for this tuna salad but feel free to use red onion or sweet white onion.
- PICKLES: I like to add chopped bread and butter pickles to this pasta salad, they add a nice crunch and a bit of sweetness. You can add any sweet pickle or even dill pickles instead if you wish.
- MAYONNAISE: You can use light or regular mayonnaise.
- SOUR CREAM: You can also use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, it’s more tangy though and will change the flavour of the dressing.
- LEFTOVERS: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before each time you serve it.
- OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS: This salad is also great with canned chicken instead of tuna. The canned chicken from Costco is so good in this too.
Serving Tip
This salad can be enjoyed immediately, but it’s also a great make ahead recipe! I think it’s best after it has been allowed to rest for at least an hour, or even better, overnight.
Easy Tuna Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Tuna Pasta Salad:
- 3 1/2 cups dried bite sized pasta (bow ties, shells, elbow macaroni)
- 2 170 g cans white tuna (packed in water), drained
- 1/2 large bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 celery stick, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped bread and butter pickles
Salad dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 2 tsp prepared mustard
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Cool and rinse with cold water.3 1/2 cups dried bite sized pasta
- While the pasta boils blend together the ingredients for the dressing:1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp white vinegar, 2 tsp prepared mustard, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- Chop the peppers, cucumber, celery, onions and pickles.1/2 large bell pepper, chopped, 1 cup chopped cucumber, 1 celery stick, chopped, 2 green onions, sliced
- Drain the tuna, and use a for to break up the tuna chunks.2 170 g cans white tuna (packed in water), drained
- In a serving bowl combine the noodles, tuna and chopped vegetables, then toss with the dressing.
- Let rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes (1 hour or more is best). But you can serve it immediately if you like.
- Serve and enjoy!
More Pasta Salad Recipes
A delicious collection of pasta salads for all occasions. From Classic Macaroni Salad to Easy Italian Pasta Salad, Bruschetta Pasta Salad, Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad and more!
Have a delicious day!
