Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for lunches, picnics, or light dinners. It combines tender macaroni, fresh vegetables, and a tangy, creamy dressing for a delightful flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups uncooked macaroni
• 1 (6 ounce) can tuna (drained)
• 2 tablespoons red onion (chopped)
• 1 cup little tomatoes (halved)
• 2 sticks celery (chopped small)
• 1 mini cucumber (or 1/4 English cucumber) (chopped)
• 1/2 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the macaroni until al dente according to the package instructions.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing by combining the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, and fresh dill until smooth. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Chop the red onion, little tomatoes, celery, cucumber, red bell pepper, and parsley. Add them to a large mixing bowl along with the drained tuna.
4. Step 4: Once the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cold water. Let it drain thoroughly before adding it to the bowl with the other ingredients.
5. Step 5: Toss the pasta, vegetables, tuna, and dressing together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or chill covered for the flavors to meld.

Tips & Variations

• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter dressing.
• Add capers or chopped olives for a briny twist.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted almonds or sunflower seeds on top before serving.
• Fresh dill can be substituted with dried dill if fresh is unavailable; use about 1 teaspoon dried.

Storage

Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best texture and flavor, avoid freezing. When ready to serve, stir well and enjoy cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like rotini, fusilli, or penne works well in this salad. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Is it necessary to rinse the pasta after cooking?

Rinsing the pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and cools it for a salad. It also prevents sticking, which helps when mixing with the dressing and other ingredients.

Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 116 reviews

This creamy tuna pasta salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for quick lunches or picnics. Featuring tender macaroni, savory tuna, crisp vegetables, and a tangy homemade dressing with mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and fresh herbs, it combines vibrant flavors and textures for a deliciously easy meal.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 2.5 cups uncooked macaroni

Protein & Vegetables

• 1 (6 ounce) can tuna, drained
• 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
• 1 cup little tomatoes, halved
• 2 sticks celery, chopped small
• 1 mini cucumber (or 1/4 English cucumber), chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente according to the package directions, usually about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it.
2. Prepare the Dressing and Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, fresh dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth. Chop the red onion, little tomatoes, celery, cucumber, red bell pepper, and parsley, and place them in a large mixing bowl along with the drained tuna.
3. Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables and tuna. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss everything together thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed — this salad typically benefits from a generous amount of seasoning.
4. Chill or Serve: The pasta salad can be served immediately as a fresh and creamy meal or chilled in the refrigerator, covered, for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld and enrich.

Notes

• Use fresh dill for the best flavor; dried dill can be substituted but use less as it’s more concentrated.
• Rinsing the pasta after cooking stops it from overcooking and helps the salad stay cool and refreshing.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or shredded carrots for added texture and nutrition.
• This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days, making it ideal for meal prep or leftovers.

Keywords: tuna pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, macaroni salad, easy lunch, picnic recipe, tuna salad