This refreshing tuna pasta salad is what you need if you're looking for a burst of flavors and a combination of textures in a single dish. Try this recipe to create the perfect pasta salad, this versatile and vibrant salad is ideal for a family picnic, a quick lunch, or just a delightful dinner.
Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
There's something special about Tuna Pasta Salad. It's a dish that takes me back to lazy summer afternoons, sitting in the backyard, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. This salad is light, refreshing, and packed with flavors, and it is easy to make. My secret ingredient is a little bit of honey, it adds depth of flavour and a sweet touch to the salad.
Whenever I make Tuna Pasta Salad, I’m reminded of my grandmother’s kitchen. She had this way of turning simple, everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. This recipe, in particular, holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first dishes I learned to make on my own.
Give this Tuna Pasta Salad a try. I promise it will become a staple in your kitchen. I have also made Pan con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread), and Tomato Bruschetta that you will like.
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🧾Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this salad:
- Pasta: I use fusilli, but feel free to use any pasta shape you like. Farfalle is another great choice too!
- Can of Tuna: I like to use tuna packed in water, but make sure to drain it before adding it to the bowl. If you prefer, you can use tuna in oil instead.
- Green Pepper, Onion, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Olives, Tomato: I use ripe red tomato, green bell pepper, sweet onion, sweet corn, cucumber, and olive for freshness and crunch elements. If you prefer, you can use cherry tomatoes, red or yellow bell pepper, and red onion.
- Vinaigrette Dressing: This tuna salad has a super simple homemade dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and pepper. It's simple but so tasty!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Pasta Salad
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Cook the pasta following the instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain the pasta, transfer it to a spacious bowl, and let it cool.
2. In a big bowl, mix the cooled pasta, sliced green pepper, sliced onion, sweet corn, diced cucumber, sliced olives, drained tuna, and sliced tomato.
3. In a jar, shake up the extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, pepper, and sea salt. Adjust the seasoning to your liking.
4. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and veggies. Mix everything well until everything is nicely coated in the dressing.
5. Let the pasta salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This gives time for the flavors to blend and enhances the overall taste.
6. Just before serving, give the pasta salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning if needed.
📖Variations
- Caprese Pasta Salad: Toss pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Greek Pasta Salad: Combine pasta with feta, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, and cucumber. Dress with Greek vinaigrette.
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad: Mix pasta with grilled chicken, chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan. Toss with Caesar dressing.
- Southwest Pasta Salad: Mix pasta with black beans, corn, diced avocado, red bell pepper, and cilantro. Drizzle with lime dressing.
🍽 What to serve with Tuna Pasta Salad
I enjoy serving tuna pasta salad as an appetizer with crusty bread and crackers. For lunch and dinner, it's great with pork tenderloin, skillet pork chops, honey garlic chicken, or chicken kiev on the side.
When I have a family picnic, potluck, or a quick weeknight dinner this tuna pasta salad is the perfect choice, together with Korean fried chicken, chicken sandwich, Spanish tortilla, or potato croquettes.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta al dente, meaning it should be tender but still slightly firm when you bite into it.
Pasta and Corn: Drain your pasta and corn very well before adding them to the bowl. If they’re watery, they’ll dilute the flavor of the vinaigrette.
Layering Flavors: Allow the salad to sit for 30 minutes after mixing to let the flavors meld together.
Test and Adjust: Taste the tuna pasta salad before serving and adjust the seasoning or dressing if needed.
Storage: Store leftover cherry tomato pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Tuna salad will last up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can make tuna pasta salad a day ahead. In fact, it often tastes even better after the flavors have had time to come together!
🥗 More Fresh Salads to Make
Love this tuna pasta salad? You’ll also enjoy these vibrant salads: Cold Stuffed Tomato Salad, Potato Salad, Cowboy Caviar, Lentil Salad, Waldorf Salad, and Egg Potato Salad.
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite appetizer recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Tuna Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Ingredients for a Pasta Salad:
- 100 g Pasta
- 1 Green Pepper
- 1 Onion
- 200 g Sweet Corn
- 1 Cucumber
- 50 g Olives
- 1 Can of Tuna
- 1 Tomato
Ingredients for a Vinaigrette Dressing:
- 80 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoon Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, place in a large bowl and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, sliced green pepper, sliced onion, sweet corn, diced cucumber, sliced olives, drained tuna, and sliced tomato.
- In a jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, pepper, and sea salt. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss everything together until well coated in the dressing.
- Allow the pasta salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld and enhances the overall taste.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
Obsessed with all the colors in this salad 😍 It looks as good as it tastes!