Best 4 Tarragon Pasta Salad Recipes

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Calling all pasta lovers! If you're searching for a refreshing and flavorful side dish to elevate your next gathering, look no further than this delectable Tarragon Pasta Salad. This vibrant salad combines the delicate anise flavor of tarragon with a medley of crisp vegetables, tender pasta, and a zesty dressing. It's a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, roasted chicken, or a light summer lunch. Indulge in this symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds to a garden of herbs and leave you craving for more.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you on a culinary journey through two enticing Tarragon Pasta Salad recipes. The Classic Tarragon Pasta Salad offers a timeless combination of fresh tarragon, red onion, celery, and bell peppers, tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. But if you prefer a lighter, tangier twist, the Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad is your perfect match. With its vibrant lemon-tarragon vinaigrette dressing, this salad bursts with refreshing citrus notes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Both recipes are incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal prep time and simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, these recipes will guide you through the process with step-by-step instructions. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on a delightful journey of flavors!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

TARRAGON TURKEY SALAD



Tarragon Turkey Salad image

Mandarin oranges complement tender turkey and bow tie pasta in Shannon Bitenc's summery salad. "My family loves the combination of citrus and tarragon in this delicious dish," she writes from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast
3/4 cup sliced celery
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or 3/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
Lettuce leaves

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse with cold water and drain. Place in a large bowl; add turkey, celery and oranges. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, orange juice, mustard, tarragon, orange zest, salt and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve over lettuce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 0g sugar total.

TUNA TARRAGON PASTA SALAD



Tuna Tarragon Pasta Salad image

My husband and I love the unique flavor of the tuna pasta salad at our local Sweet Tomatoes restaurant. The natural sweetness from the tarragon blends beautifully with the mild tuna. I developed this recipe at home and it comes really close to real thing...maybe even surpassing it. The restaurant chain uses a mixed pasta consisting of broken spinach fettucini, broken regular fettucini and sea shells, but I don't usually keep all those pastas on-hand. I also took the liberty of adding peas (I just love peas and tuna together).

Provided by Mercy

Categories     Tuna

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup mayonnaise or 1 cup salad dressing
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
1 tablespoon dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon sugar (1 to 2 teaspoons, to taste)
2 (12 ounce) cans tuna in water, drained (or albacore)
2 cups frozen green peas, no need to thaw
1 lb shell pasta, cooked to al dente, drained and cooled
1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1/8 teaspoon pepper (to taste)

Steps:

  • Whisk together the first six (dressing) ingredients.
  • Fold in the tuna and peas.
  • Toss in the pasta.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Chill at least two hours before serving.
  • The pasta will absorb the dressing, the flavors will blend and the dried tarragon flavor will really blossom.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 670.8, Fat 22, SaturatedFat 5.6, Cholesterol 68.6, Sodium 892.3, Carbohydrate 74.9, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 7.2, Protein 41.7

TARRAGON PASTA SALAD



Tarragon Pasta Salad image

The refreshing tuna salad with pasta and a savory tarragon dressing make a colorful and flavorful addition to any summer lunch or picnic menu. The recipe can be easily doubled if you need to feed a hungry crowd.-Toni Churchin, Irvine, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces bow tie pasta, cooked and drained
1 can (9 ounces) tuna in water, drained and flaked
1/3 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup sliced green onions
3/4 cup Miracle Whip
4 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tuna, red pepper and onions. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients. Pour over salad and toss gently. Chill for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 calories, Fat 23g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 493mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

TUNA TARRAGON SALAD (SWEET TOMATOES



Tuna Tarragon Salad (Sweet Tomatoes image

This is the exact recipe for Sweet Tomatoes/Soup Plantation's Salad. I go there as often as possible for this salad. Finally learned how to make it myself. Word to the wise, DO NOT TASTE IT BEFORE THE 8 HOURS OR IT WON'T TASTE RIGHT. Trust me, its worth the wait!

Provided by christytownshend

Categories     Penne

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon salt
5 cups small shell pasta
1 1/4 cups penne pasta
1 cup spinach fettuccine (3-inch pieces)
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 (6 ounce) cans tuna in water
2 cups sweet pickle juice (small jar contains about 1 cup)
1 3/4 cups mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups sweet pickles (diced)
1 cup celery (diced)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons dried tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Steps:

  • For the pasta: In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a full boil. Add pastas and cook for about 10 minutes until al dente. Immediately strain pasta and cool by running cold water over pasta in strainer. Drain pasta completely and place in a bowl. Coat pasta with canola oil to prevent sticking.
  • For the dressing: Place tuna in a large bowl and break down into small pieces. Add the remaining dressing ingredients and thoroughly whisk to combine.
  • Combine the dressing and cooked pasta and mix thoroughly. ALLOW SALAD TO MARINATE FOR 8 HOURS! After 8 hours, top with more pickle juice and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Bon Apetite!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 842.4, Fat 35.1, SaturatedFat 7, Cholesterol 51.2, Sodium 2666, Carbohydrate 106, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 11.9, Protein 27.4

Tips:

  • Choose the right pasta. Short pastas like penne, rotini, or farfalle are best for pasta salad because they hold the dressing well and are easy to eat.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. Pasta that is cooked too soft will become mushy in the salad.
  • Rinse the pasta with cold water. This will stop the cooking process and help the pasta to keep its shape.
  • Use a flavorful dressing. A good dressing will make all the difference in your pasta salad. Choose a dressing that is light and refreshing, but also has a bit of tang and flavor.
  • Add plenty of vegetables. Vegetables add color, crunch, and nutrients to pasta salad. Some good choices include cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and zucchini.
  • Don't forget the protein. Protein can help to make pasta salad a more satisfying meal. Some good choices include grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
  • Chill the pasta salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the pasta salad will be more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Tarragon pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. With its bright flavors and refreshing ingredients, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a light and flavorful meal, give tarragon pasta salad a try!

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