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    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Easy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

    Published: Jun 2, 2022 · Modified: Jun 2, 2022 by Bowl Me Over · 38 Comments

    If you are adding more tuna to your diet this Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe should be on your list. This salad is the perfect to compliment grilled pork, steak or chicken. Terrific as a light lunch!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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, especially for kick-starting healthy eating goals!

    Next time try this Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe! Another great side dish option for your next picnic, barbecue, or gathering. 

    Pasta salad in bowl with serving spoon.
    Cold Tuna Pasta Salad
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe   
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions 
    • Equipment
    • FAQ's
    • Tips
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Related recipes
    • Serve with
    • Tuna Pasta Salad

    Why you'll love this recipe   

    ✔️This salad is super healthy, 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 ahead and take along to the next potluck or social gatherings throughout the year.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for pasta salad recipe. With print overlay.
    Ingredients for Easy Tuna Macaroni Salad

    For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

    • Diatalini Pasta or other smaller pasta
    • can of tuna fish - I prefer chunk albacore tuna
    • sliced olives
    • celery
    • green onions or red onions
    • parmesan cheese
    • mayonnaise
    • miracle whip
    • seasoning salt
    • olive oil
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions 

    Step by step instructions to make pasta salad recipe. With print overlay.

    This is an overview of the instructions for the easy pasta salad. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

    1. Cook pasta to al dente, drain, rinse in cold water to stop cooking process. Drain well again and sprinkle with olive oil and seasoning salt. Cool to room temperature. 
    2. Slice the olives and onions, dice celery. Drain the tuna and flake it well.
    3. Combine pasta, olives, celery, green onions, tuna and parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Add the mayonnaise and miracle whip and mix well. Cover and refrigerate.
    4. Stir well before serving, add additional mayo/miracle whip if needed. You want this to be super creamy.

    Equipment

    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.

    • stock pot
    • strainer

    FAQ's

    Should this tuna pasta salad be eaten cold?

    Yes. The beauty of this pasta is the fact that you can enjoy it straight from the fridge. In fact, it often tastes the best after it's made.

    Can I freeze this tuna pasta salad?

    I don't recommend freezing this dish. Some of the fresh ingredients such as the olives, celery, and onions, won't hold up well under freezing and thawing.

    Is this pasta salad a side dish or main meal?

    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!

    What's the difference between mayonnaise and Miracle Whip?

    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.

    Tips

    • Cool pasta completely as warm pasta will absorb more sauce, making it soggy. 
    • Stored pasta has the tendency of absorbing more sauce in storage. You may like to add additional sauce a day or two later.
    • Always follow the directions on the package for cooking pasta. It’s better to have al dente pasta than mushy pasta for this salad!
    Bowls filled with tuna pasta salad with serving spoon.
    Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

    Variations

    • Add some extra vegetables into this dish such as fresh peas, frozen peas, fresh corn, or diced red onion. All of these will add to the contrasting textures of this meal. 
    • 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 sweetener of choice to compensate for lack of tanginess and sweetness. 
    • For a kick of heat, add some cayenne pepper to the creamy sauce. 
    • You can use any small pasta variety of your liking. I would suggest opting for tubular pasta for the sauce to mix into. 
    • Diced dill pickles will tang and crunch.

    Storage

    Refrigerate - This tuna pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. 

    Related recipes

    If you’re looking to incorporate more yummy pasta 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.

    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!

    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

    If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

    Pasta salad in bowl with serving spoon.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Tuna Pasta Salad

    If you are adding more tuna to your diet this Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe should be on your list. This salad is the perfect to compliment grilled pork, steak or chicken. Terrific as a light lunch!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Salads and Pasta
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12 cups
    Calories: 302kcal
    Author: Deb Clark
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Tuna Pasta Salad with Diatalini pasta on plate
    Tuna Pasta Salad
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    About Bowl Me Over

    Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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