• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cookin' with Mima logo

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast/Brunch
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Salads
    • Pasta
    • Desserts
    • Soups
    • Kid Friendly
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Sandwiches/Wraps
  • About Mima
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
Home » Pasta » Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Posted July 21, 2020 By Mariam E. 4 Comments

Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Share
Pin104
Email
Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Al dente pasta is mixed with flaked tuna and a host of veggies, then covered in a dreamy, creamy yogurt dressing - this Tuna Pasta Salad recipe is the ultimate summer salad!

Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe in a white bowl

This Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe amps up the classic pasta salad with a whole rainbow of delicious ingredients and an addictive Greek yogurt dressing. Easy to whip up and perfect for summer, it's light, fresh and oh so satisfying!

IF you're after other delicious pasta salads, why not also try my Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad or my Shrimp Fajita Pasta Salad!

Why you'll love this Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

  • A healthier pasta salad. Loaded with protein rich tuna, packed with veggies and covered in a light Greek yogurt dressing, this is as close to a guilt free pasta salad as you can get!
  • A delicious homemade dressing. Zesty, tangy, slightly creamy and with a kick of heat, this dressing clings onto the ingredients and provides deliciousness in every bite.
  • An easy pasta salad. This Tuna Pata Salad Recipe is a breeze to whip up, perfect for parties and BBQ's. 20 mins from pantry to table!

Ingredients you'll need

  • Rotini Pasta
  • Chunk Light Tuna
  • Vegetables: Celery, carrot sticks, onion, jalapenos and avocado.
  • Italian Parsley
  • Eggs
ingredients for Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

For the dressing

  • Greek Yogurt
  • Mayonnaise
  • Salt & Black Pepper
  • Pickle Juice
  • Lemon Juice
  • Cane Sugar
  • Olive Oil
  • Dijon Mustard

How to make this Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

  • Cook your pasta. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Also cook the eggs during this time. Should take about 10 minutes.
  • Prep your veggies. Meanwhile, chop the veggies and place them in a bowl.
Tuna Pasta Salad ingredients in a white bowl
  • Make the dressing. In another bowl, mix the dressing ingredients together until creamy.
dressing being mixed
  • Mix. Cool your pasta, then mix with veggies, diced eggs and toss with the dressing.
  • Serve and enjoy!
dressing on top of pasta salad

Recipe notes and tips

  • Choose good quality tuna, packed in water so it doesn’t make the rest of the salad oily. Make sure to drain well.
  • Keep dressing aside if prepping ahead. Mix when ready to eat.
  • Do not cut the avocados ahead to prevent them from discoloring. Only peel and cut when ready to eat.
  • You can substitute tuna with shredded rotisserie chicken. 
  • You can add fresh jalapenos instead of pickled.
  • Corkscrew (rotini) pasta is great for this Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe, as it has lots of surface area to grab the dressing and tuna pieces.
  • Make sure to season your salad well with salt and freshly ground pepper, to really round out all the flavors.

FAQ's

What's the best pasta for pasta salad?

As I mentioned, I love rotini, but any medium shape pasta works well for this recipe especially shells or pasta with ridges to grab that dressing, adding lots of flavor to every bite!

Can I make this Tuna Pasta Salad in advance?

This pasta salad is awesome for, parties, BBQ's and potluck, but if you want to make it more than a couple of hours in advance, I'd suggest you prepare the salad separate from the dressing, and add the dressing just before serving. Otherwise the pasta will soak up the dressing and you won’t have that creamy texture.

How to store leftover pasta salad

This Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, as long as it’s properly stored in an airtight container. You can add a little Greek yogurt to moisten the pasta salad if it has dried out a bit, as the pasta will soak up some of the dressing. For the best flavor and freshness I recommend you eat it within 24 hours of making it.

Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe in a bowl with a fork and spoon

Other delicious salad recipes

  • Spicy Salmon Salad Recipe
  • Tomato and Burrata Salad
  • Avocado Mango Salad
  • Shrimp Pineapple Salad

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Tuna Pasta Salad recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it and share it with your friends and family!

If you try this recipe and like it, please use my hashtag to share it with me on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in my story! Also, follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.

Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Al dente pasta is mixed with flaked tuna and a host of veggies, then covered in a dreamy, creamy yogurt dressing - this Tuna Pasta Salad recipe is the ultimate summer salad!
0 from 0 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Mariam E.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups rotini pasta dry, uncooked
  • 8 oz Chunk Light Tuna in oil
  • 1/4 cup purple onion finely diced
  • 1/4 cup celery petite diced
  • 1/4 cup carrot sticks finely chopped (or grated carrots)
  • 3 tbsps Italian parsley finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sweet relish
  • 3 large eggs hard boiled, diced
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños finely chopped
  • 1 large avocado peeled and diced

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly cracked
  • 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickled juice or less to your preference
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt or more to taste
  • 1 tbsp cane sugar
  • 1 tbsps olive oil

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Also cook the eggs during this time. Should take about 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, chop the veggies and place them in a bowl.
  • In another bowl, mix the dressing ingredients together until creamy.
  • Once the pasta is done cooking, transfer to a sieve and run through cold water to cool. Then transfer again to the bowl of veggies (without the avocado) and add the tuna. Toss them together to mix well.
  • Add in the dressing, avocados and the diced boiled eggs. Toss very gently to coat them well.
  • Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Notes

  • Choose good quality tuna, packed in water so it doesn’t make the rest of the salad oily. Make sure to drain well.
  • Keep dressing aside if prepping ahead. Mix when ready to eat.
  • Do not cut the avocados ahead to prevent them from discoloring. Only peel and cut when ready to eat.
  • You can substitute tuna with shredded rotisserie chicken. 
  • You can add fresh jalapenos instead of pickled.
  • Corkscrew (rotini) pasta is great for this Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe, as it has lots of surface area to grab the dressing and tuna pieces.
  • Make sure to season your salad well with salt and freshly ground pepper, to really round out all the flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 644mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1180IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me on Instagram @cookinwithmima or tag #cookinwithmima

Filed Under: Pasta, Salads, Side Dishes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarShayla says

    July 22, 2020 at 5:08 am

    I have become dairy free within the last three months due to an unexpected and sudden allergy. If I use all mayo with this recipe will it take away the delicious taste you speak about?

    Reply
    • Mariam E.Mariam E. says

      July 22, 2020 at 7:50 am

      Hi Shayla!
      Yes you can use Mayo instead. My previous Macaroni salad’s dressing was mostly mayo an I personally like it more. Also add 1 tsp of granulated sugar if you like with the mayo. So good.

      Reply
  2. AvatarJune Butler says

    August 13, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    Thank you!!!
    Will make this for our family cook out for my b.day

    Reply
    • Mariam E.Mariam E. says

      August 14, 2020 at 10:36 pm

      Yay! Happy Birthday in advance! Enjoy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hey, I'm Mima!

Welcome to my blog! Cookin' With Mima blog is a place where you can find hundreds of easy and delicious family-friendly recipes that are bound to please even your toughest critics. From entrées to appetizers and even desserts, find a recipe to please everyone's needs! My goal is to make your cooking experience a lot easier and yummier!

More about me »

Connect with me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

5 Secrets to Delicious, Easy Meals!

Recipes & tips to make dinner simple.

CHICKEN DINNER RECIPES

Top down shot of asparagus stuffed chicken breasts in a skillet.

Asparagus Stuffed Chicken

chicken tenders sliced to show the inside flesh

Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders

Top down view of jalapeno popper chicken and a fork.

Amazing Jalapeño Popper Chicken

Top down view of homemade chicken nuggets on a plate with dip on the side.

Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets

A white casserole dish with chicken broccoli and rice casserole topped with cheddar cheese on a white counter.

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Top down shot of chicken salad in a white bowl.

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

stuffed chicken after baking, side view shot

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

More from this Category...

Popular Posts

Shrimp and Vegetable SkilletShrimp and Vegetable Skillet
Almond Joy Cheesecake BarsAlmond Joy Cheesecake Bars
Easy Orange Chicken RecipeEasy Orange Chicken Recipe
Spicy Baked Zucchini FriesSpicy Baked Zucchini Fries
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta ShellsCheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Shells
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp SpaghettiGarlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti

Footer

As seen on:


  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Accessibility
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Copyright © 2021 · Cookin With Mima | Privacy policy