Best 6 Pasta Salad With Tuna Mayo Recipes

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You are looking for a delightful and refreshing salad that is perfect for a light lunch or a side dish? Look no further than this tuna mayo pasta salad. Made with simple, everyday ingredients, this classic Italian salad combines the delicate flavor of tuna, the creamy richness of mayonnaise, and the al dente texture of pasta, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. But what makes this recipe stand out from the rest is its versatility. In this article, we will explore various pasta salad recipes, each offering a unique twist on this culinary classic.

1. Classic Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad: This is the quintessential tuna mayo pasta salad that everyone loves. With its creamy and tangy dressing, tender pasta, flaked tuna, and a medley of vegetables, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick and easy meal.

2. Mediterranean Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad: Inspired by the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, this recipe adds a touch of Greek yogurt to the mayonnaise, along with sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and fresh herbs. The result is a light and flavorful salad that will transport you to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean.

3. Asian-Inspired Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad: This fusion recipe combines the classic flavors of tuna mayo pasta salad with Asian-inspired ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds. With its savory and slightly sweet dressing, this salad is sure to become a favorite for those who love Asian flavors.

4. Spicy Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad: For those who enjoy a little heat, this recipe incorporates a kick of spice with the addition of chili peppers, cayenne pepper, and paprika. The result is a pasta salad that is both creamy and spicy, with a flavor that will leave you craving more.

5. Vegetarian Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad: This recipe is a great option for vegetarians and vegans. Instead of tuna, it uses chickpeas as the main protein source, providing a hearty and nutritious alternative. With its creamy avocado dressing and a variety of colorful vegetables, this salad is both delicious and satisfying.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

TUNA PASTA SALAD



Tuna Pasta Salad image

This Tuna Pasta Salad with shell noodles, peas, tuna, celery, and Greek yogurt is fast, healthy, and a dish your whole family can enjoy!

Provided by Lauren Allen

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces small shells pasta (, or your favorite bite-size pasta)
7 ounces canned albacore white tuna, packed in water (, drained)
2 ribs celery (, chopped)
1/4 cup red onion (, chopped)
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
dried dill weed (, to taste, optional)
salt and freshly ground black pepper (, to taste)

Steps:

  • Cook noodles according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain.
  • In a large bowl add chopped onion and celery, peas, cooked pasta, and drained tuna.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the mayo and Greek yogurt.
  • Stir half of the sauce into the pasta mixture and toss to evenly coat. Season with salt and pepper and dried dil, to taste.
  • Refrigerate pasta and remaining sauce separately, covered, for 30 min. Stir in remaining sauce and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 kcal, Carbohydrate 42 g, Protein 16 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Sodium 275 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

PASTA SALAD WITH TUNA MAYO



Pasta salad with tuna mayo image

This is quick to throw together and perfect as a lunchbox feast whether you're on a picnic or at your desk.

Provided by Sara Buenfeld

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 10

250g wholemeal penne
240g bio yogurt
2 tsp English mustard powder
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4tsp apple cider vinegar
1 red onion, finely chopped
handful of basil leaves, finely chopped
320g tuna in spring water
2 red peppers, deseeded and diced
340g can sweetcorn, drained

Steps:

  • Boil the pasta for 10 mins until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain again. Meanwhile, mix the yogurt, mustard, olive oil, vinegar, onion and basil together in a large bowl, then stir in the tuna, red peppers and sweetcorn.
  • Stir through the pasta and serve in bowls or pack into containers for work or a picnic. Will keep, covered, in the fridge to eat the next day.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 444 calories, Fat 12 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 54 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 16 grams sugar, Fiber 10 grams fiber, Protein 25 grams protein, Sodium 0.65 milligram of sodium

GARDEN TUNA PASTA SALAD



Garden Tuna Pasta Salad image

A delicious pasta salad that tastes great with all the veggies in it. I substitute canned shrimp in place of canned tuna if I want to change it up a bit.

Provided by Amy Hunter Shaw

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 2h35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 (6 ounce) can water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
⅔ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
⅔ cup chopped celery
½ cup shredded carrot
¼ cup sliced radishes
2 green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
¾ cup mayonnaise
½ cup ranch dressing
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine tuna, bell pepper, celery, carrot, radishes, green onions, and parsley in a large bowl.
  • Drain macaroni and rinse in cold water. Drain again and add to the bowl with the tuna mixture.
  • Combine mayonnaise, ranch dressing, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 404.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.5 g, Cholesterol 24.4 mg, Fat 22 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 14.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 682.4 mg, Sugar 4.9 g

TUNA PASTA SALAD



Tuna Pasta Salad image

Mustard and dill really add wonderful flair to the flavor of this simple salad. It's really very inexpensive to serve.-Pat Kordas, Nutley, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (7 ounces) small pasta shells, cooked and drained
1 can (6 ounces) tuna, drained and flaked
1 large carrot, shredded
1/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta, tuna, carrot and onion. Combine remaining ingredients; whisk until smooth. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 551 calories, Fat 35g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 709mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

SIMPLE TUNA PASTA SALAD



Simple Tuna Pasta Salad image

Some of the best recipes are the most simple. This is one of those. I prefer it just as written, but you may add any ingredients you choose such as chopped onion, scallions, chives, water chestnuts, chopped hard-boiled eggs, lemon-pepper, dill, parsley, etc. I often take this to potlucks when I need a quick and easy (and economical) dish. I've never had to take home left-overs. Tuna pasta salads can be found at many pot lucks. Albacore tuna is plentiful on the Pacific Coast, and this recipe represents the Western U.S.

Provided by PanNan

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 20m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

12 ounces pasta shells or 12 ounces macaroni, cooked and drained
12 ounces canned chunk albacore tuna, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup frozen green pea, thawed
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (this amount is an estimate, you'll need enough to make the salad creamy) or 1 1/2 cups Miracle Whip (this amount is an estimate, you'll need enough to make the salad creamy)
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Combine the cooked and drained pasta with the drained tuna, chopped celery, peas, and mayonnaise, using only enough mayonnaise for the salad to be creamy.
  • (If it's made ahead, you may need more because the pasta will absorb the mayo.) Chill at least 1- 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 321, Fat 2.8, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 23.8, Sodium 278.6, Carbohydrate 49.1, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 4.1, Protein 23.2

TUNA-CUCUMBER-PASTA SALAD



Tuna-Cucumber-Pasta Salad image

Here is a tuna-cucumber-pasta recipe that delivers amazing fresh flavors and has always been a favorite whenever it has been served. Guaranteed to be the WOW factor of your meal. This recipe and some of my other favorites are on: dougsdinners.blogspot.com

Provided by dhoag3423

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 40m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (8 ounce) package rotini pasta (rotini pasta preferred, tri-color fun for summer) or 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni noodles (rotini pasta preferred, tri-color fun for summer)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Italian dressing (I think Good Seasons is superior to Wish Bone)
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons fresh dill weed, chopped fine or 1 tablespoon dried dill weed
2 cups cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, then each half cut in two lengthwise again and then sliced thinly
1/2 cup green pepper, diced
1/4 cup scallion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (7 ounce) cans albacore tuna in water, well drained by pressing lid hard on tuna while holding can upside down over sink (Costco Solid White Albacore tuna is wonderful! Bumblebee albacore in water second)

Steps:

  • Prepare macaroni or pasta as directed on package. Combine mayonnaise, Italian dressing, mustard, and dill. Add pasta to dressing and mix well. Place vegetables and tuna in salad bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add pasta and dressing mixture and toss all ingredients gently. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours before serving.
  • NOTES: Good Seasons Italian salad dressing makes an easy, wonderful marinade for chicken on the grill. Place chicken pieces in Ziploc bag with ½ cup salad dressing for at least one hour. Be careful, remembering that the dressing is made with salad oil and will flare up at first as the oil ignites. It can also be used dry as a rub.
  • Good Seasons salad dressing is becoming harder to find as Kraft Foods moves toward higher end premium dressings.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your pasta salad shine. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender tuna. If you can, use homemade mayonnaise for the best flavor.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is slightly firm to the bite and will hold its shape well in the salad. If you overcook the pasta, it will become mushy and won't be as tasty.
  • Chill the pasta before assembling the salad: This will help the pasta salad stay cool and refreshing on a hot summer day. You can also chill the vegetables before adding them to the salad.
  • Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of mayonnaise goes a long way. If you add too much, the salad will become greasy and heavy. Start with a small amount of mayonnaise and add more to taste.
  • Garnish the salad with fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or dill add a pop of color and flavor to the salad. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled bacon for extra flavor.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad with tuna mayo is a classic summer dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its combination of tender pasta, flavorful tuna, crisp vegetables, and creamy mayonnaise dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next potluck, picnic, or barbecue.

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