This Tuna Pasta Salad has got a real hold on me! In fact, I've been known to eat it any time of the day or any time of the year - that's right, this pasta salad is good in summer AND winter.
Next time try this Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe! Another great side dish option for your next picnic, barbecue, or gathering.
Jump to:
What makes this recipe irresistible
This salad is super tasty, incredibly filling, and oh-so-delicious! It's right up there among the easiest recipes to make with simple ingredients. It's a great dish to make and take to your next potluck or bbq!
Ingredients you'll need
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Diatalini Pasta or other small bite-size pasta.
- can of tuna fish - I prefer chunk albacore tuna packed in water.
- sliced olives
- celery
- green onions or red onions
- parmesan cheese
- mayonnaise
- miracle whip
- seasoning salt
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
Creative variations to try
- If you don't enjoy mayonnaise or Miracle Whip in your food, you can use Greek yogurt instead mixed with some Dijon mustard and a small amount of sugar.
- You can use any pasta, whole wheat pasta or chickpea pasta
- You can use any small pasta variety of your liking. I would suggest opting for small shell, macaroni or orecchiette pasta.
- Diced dill pickles will tang and crunch.
Creative variations to try
This is an overview of the instructions for the easy pasta salad. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Cook pasta to al dente, drain, rinse in cold water to stop cooking process. Sprinkle with olive oil and seasoning salt.
- Place cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl.
- Slice the olives and vegetables. Drain the tuna and flake it well.
- Combine pasta, olives, celery, green onions, tuna and parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Add the mayonnaise and miracle whip and mix well. Cover and refrigerate.
- Stir well before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Essential tools for this recipe
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Tossing it with a touch of olive oil will help keep the pasta moist.
Pasta salads are well known for adding bulk to backyard BBQ meals but they can just as easily be enjoyed as a filling meal too, any time of the year. In fact, this healthy dish is very popular at the start of each year!
Both are creamy condiments. However, mayonnaise is tangy while Miracle Whip is sweet. I've used a combination of the two for a good balance of flavors.
Top Tip
Wait until the pasta is completely cooled before adding the salad dressing. Warm pasta will absorb more sauce, making it soggy.
- Cook the pasta to al dente.
Storage
Refrigerate - This tuna pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
More cold pasta salad recipes
If you're looking to incorporate more great recipes into your monthly meal plan, these cold pasta salads are must makes!
- BLT Pasta Salad - just like your favorite sandwich with pasta!
- Southern Style Ham Pasta Salad - tender pasta, salty ham and loaded with crunchy veggies this is the best combination!
- Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad - this is so flavorful and because there's no mayo, it's perfect for a cookout.
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe - great for a party or potluck, this is so good!
Love tuna? You're not alone which is why you'll be in good hands when you make these great tuna recipes!
- Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole - classic old fashioned pasta salad.
- Seared Ahi Tuna Poke Recipe - easy to make and just like your favorite poke recipe.
- Crockpot Tuna Casserole - why not let your slow cooker do all the work?!!
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
This is an easy lunch! Tuna pasta salad is great to serve as is with some freshly cut wedges of lemon on the side and a sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley as garnish.
If you aren't counting your carbs, adding a side of homemade dinner rolls or these Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks is a must!
I hope you loved this recipe! If so, please leave a rating or comment below. Thanks for following the blog!
Easy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Diatalini Pasta or other small pasta
- 5 ounce canned albacore tuna I use packed in water tuna
- 16 ounces olives
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 bunch green onions thinly sliced
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese the stuff in the green can works great here.
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup miracle whip
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente in well seasoned water to aldente. Drain pasta well, sprinkle with a olive oil and seasoning salt. Cool to room temperature
- Slice the olives, dice celery into a small dice and thinly slice the green onions. Drain the tuna and flake it well.
- In a large mixing bowl combine pasta, olives, celery, green onions and tuna along with the grated parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
- Add the mayonnaise and miracle whip and mix well. Cover and refrigerate.
- Stir well before serving, add additional mayo/miracle whip if needed. You want this to be super creamy.
Tom says
Hi Alice
Salad looks great. I noticed that the ingredients are very very similar to our Family Tuna Pasta Salad.. I am going to pass ours and I will also make a batch of your Tuna Salad and compare. Out secret ingredient is Good Seasons Italian salad dressing.
Ingredients:
1 lb Shell Pasta ( Medium size - Not small and Not Large) - no substitutions
2/3 - 1 cup Mayonnaise - Helman's
1/4 to 1/2 cup prepared Good Season's Italian Salad Dressing - ( I will bring a single packet)
no substitutiones on the GSISDressing - a must have ingredient.
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
2/3 cups peeled cucumber pieces
2/3 cups Fresh Diced Tomato (no seeds)
2/3 cup diced Red Pepper
2/3 cup Thinly sliced red onion
2/3 cup Celery - Juliened
2/3 cup Carrots - Juliened
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
approx 20 ounces solid-pack tuna, drained/broken up
(White Albicore works best for our family.
Fresh Chopped parsley and Basil Leaf - Garnish
Directions are the same as yours. This salad is even better stored in the Refrigerator Over night.
Looking forward to receiving your weekly Recipes. Like you site - Simple and to the point and very easy to read.
D
Bowl Me Over says
Ooh I LOVE your salad Tom that sounds absolutely delicious and I will definitely give it a try! The combo for the dressing sounds terrific and I will be sure to be on the look out for the Good Seasons Italian Dressing!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Wow, seeing this brings back some foodie memories with my grandmother. She made a similar, but not exact dish...YUM.
Bowl Me Over says
Love Tuna salad! And memories...well those are even better. 😀
swathi says
delicious pasta salad thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much! I always enjoying your party!!!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
What a fun salad. There are lots of tiny shaped gluten free pastas coming out so I will give this a try soon 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful - I hope you & your family enjoy it Sandi!
christine says
With Labor Day coming up this would make a great addition to the potluck/BBQ menu!
Bowl Me Over says
It would be perfect!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love tuna salad and I love pasta salads, together they sound wonderful, thank-you to your sister-in-law for the great recipe!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, Alice totally rocks!!
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says
It's such a blessing to have family that is enjoyable to be around, and to have those close relationships! Looks like a delicious pasta salad!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Jamie - so true on all accounts! Thanks so much for stopping by!
April J Harris says
I love family recipes - it's so nice Alice was happy to share. I really like the addition of the olives and the parmesan to this yummy salad. What a lovely recipe! Sharing. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul hop.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much April!
Diane says
My son would adore this salad! thank you! #FoodieFriDIY
Bowl Me Over says
Yummy! My favorite!!!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
I haven't had this in years! Thanks for the recipe! Saving and sharing and making soon 😉
Bowl Me Over says
Oh yes, an oldie but a goodie, thanks Gwen!
The Food Hunter says
It sounds perfect! I've got to try making it soon
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome, let me know what you think Theresa!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
Tuna pasta salad is an old favorite - now I'm craving it! I love the addition of olives, it's making me think capers would be good, too.
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, I think you're right - it's that salty bite that adds so much!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
What a great salad for all of the end of summer BBQs coming up! I am loving the idea of the parmesan and olives, has anyone ever added capers? I wonder if they would give a nice briny kick too.
Bowl Me Over says
I have not tried capers Des, I think it would be a great addition to this salad!
Christie says
I love the crunch you added with the celery and salty olives.
Bowl Me Over says
Definitely makes the salad Christie - thanks for stopping by!
Marye says
This looks absolutely delicious! I am definitely saving this one for later!
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome, let me know what you think Marye.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Tuna noodles used to be one of my favorite dishes as a little girl!
Bowl Me Over says
Me too and I love it as a salad.
lizzy says
Holy yum this looks incredible, awesome photo! I think I may substitute chicken for tuna... this looks great!
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you give it a try Lizzy - if you do the switch-a-roo, let me know what you think!
Gina says
Looks fantastic! Can you substitute the tuna for chicken?
Bowl Me Over says
I don't know why you couldn't - probably just use one rotisserie chicken breast. You may need a bit more salt - give that a try & let me know if you like it!
Lois says
I have eaten this salad many time and it is very good. Thank you both. Alice for making the Salad first and Deb for publishing it.
Bowl Me Over says
Yum, yum, yum! Sharing it with the world Mom! 😀