Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Published on June 19, 2020

, Updated on April 17, 2024

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Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe is a toss and go recipe full of protein, veggies and more. You will love the creamy pasta and delicious tuna for a quick meal sure to hit the spot.

Tuna Pasta Salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon

This recipe has everything that you love about classic tuna salad but in a tasty pasta salad dish. I love to make a big batch of this to keep in the fridge for quick lunches during the week.

This pasta tuna salad is the perfect side dish for your next BBQ and when the warm weather hits. Other ideas are this Tortellini Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad and Cowboy Pasta Salad.

What’s In Tuna Pasta Salad?
Ingredients
Variations Ideas
How to Make Tuna Pasta Salad
Recipe Tips
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

What’s In Tuna Pasta Salad?

Tuna, pasta, green peas and cheese come together for a great tuna pasta salad recipe. The dressing is so creamy and delicious.

We used rotini pasta but you can use any type of pasta you prefer. Bowtie, penne, elbow or anything will work.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

Vegetables – Feel free to add in other types of veggies to this tuna macaroni salad. We have added in diced red onions, green onions, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumbers and more. Add in lemon juice for a light and refreshing taste.
Dressing – Substitute plain Greek yogurt for the mayo. You can even use Dijon Mustard as a delicious substitute.
Spices – You can even change the spices to what you prefer. Add garlic powder to the dressing ingredients. We have even added in fresh herbs such as basil or fresh dill for amazing flavor.
Hard-Boiled Eggs – Add boiled eggs for even more protein.
Frozen Peas – We used frozen peas but you can use canned peas. Make sure to drain before adding to the mixture.

How to Make Tuna Pasta Salad

Combining the dressing ingredients in a bowl with a whisk

Step 1 – Combine all dressing ingredients and set aside.

Step 2 – Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Combine all the salad ingredients in a large bowl.

Pouring the dressing into the pasta mixture

Step 3 – Top the pasta ingredients with the dressing.

Combining the Tuna Pasta Salad with the dressing in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Step 4 – Combine the ingredients together, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Recipe Tips

Prepare Veggies – Prepare your chopped veggies ahead of time with this small food chopper or food processor. This must have kitchen gadget quickly and easily chop the onions and peppers for this pasta salad.
Cook Pasta – Cook the pasta according to the package instructions for best results. You want the pasta to be al dente and not mushy.

Tuna Pasta Salad in a bowl in the background with a serving on a spoon

Serving Suggestions

Tuna pasta salad is the perfect addition to your cookouts, potlucks, or to be served as a light dinner. It pairs well with Smash Burger Sliders and Grilled Hot Dogs.

We have even made this Grilled Teriyaki Pork Chops and Air Fryer Broccoli for a complete meal idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long can you keep Tuna Salad in the Fridge?

Store tuna pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge. We recommend serving the pasta salad within about 3 days.

Should you Rinse Pasta for Pasta Salad?

After preparing the pasta, we like to rinse the pasta to cool it down and to remove any gummy texture.

Can I Make Ahead of Time?

You can prepare this pasta salad ahead of time, but it is best to be served on the same day you prepare it. If prepare to far in advance it could cause the mixture to dry out.

What is the Best Tuna to Use in this Pasta Salad?

You really can use any type of albacore tuna that is in your budget or your favorite kind. We like the chunk light tuna as it is easy to shred. But we have also used a white tuna because of the milder flavor and it turned out so delicious.