Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
This Tuna Pasta Salad is a creamy, fresh and flavour-packed recipe that's perfect for quick lunches, family dinners, picnics and meal prep. Made with tender pasta, flaky tuna, crisp vegetables and a tangy homemade dressing, it's easy to prepare in just 30 minutes. Whether served as a light main course or a delicious side dish, this colourful Tuna Pasta Salad is guaranteed to become a family favourite for any occasion.
Equipment
- 1 Large Saucepan: Used for boiling the pasta until perfectly tender.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl Provides plenty of room for gently folding together the Tuna Pasta Salad ingredients.
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl Ideal for whisking the creamy dressing until smooth.
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife Makes chopping vegetables neat, safe and efficient.
- 1 Cutting Board - Provides a sturdy surface for preparing ingredients.
- Measuring Cups And Measuring Spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient quantities for consistent results.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Perfect for folding the salad without breaking the pasta.
- 1 Can Opener – Safely opens the tuna cans.
- 1 Colander: Drains and cools the cooked pasta quickly.
- 1 Citrus Juicer (Optional) – Makes squeezing fresh lemon juice easy and efficient.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 500 g Fusilli Pasta
Protein
- 2× 145 g Cans Tuna in Spring Water or Brine Drained
Vegetables
- 1 Medium Cucumber - Diced
- 250 g Cherry Tomatoes - Halved
- ½ Medium Red Onion - Finely Sliced
- 150 g Sweetcorn
- 1 Small Red Bell Pepper - Diced
- 1 Small Yellow Bell Pepper - Diced
- 100 g Frozen Peas - Cooked and Cooled
Herbs
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley - Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill - Chopped (Optional)
- Creamy Dressing
- 180 g Mayonnaise
- 120 g Greek Yoghurt
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil - Extra Virgin
- 2 Cloves Garlic - Finely Minced
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Italian Herbs
Instructions
Step 1: Cook The Pasta
- Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the packet instructions until al dente (firm to the bite), usually 9–11 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
- Allow the pasta to drain thoroughly and cool completely before assembling the Tuna Pasta Salad. This helps prevent the dressing from becoming watery.
Step 2: Prepare The Creamy Dressing
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Greek yoghurt.
- Add the fresh lemon juice and olive oil.
- Stir in the minced garlic and Dijon mustard.
- Sprinkle in the dried Italian herbs.
- Season with the sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Whisk until the dressing is smooth, creamy and evenly blended.
- Place the dressing in the refrigerator while preparing the remaining ingredients. Chilling helps the flavours develop.
Step 3: Prepare The Vegetables
- Dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Slice the red onion as thinly as possible for a milder flavour.
- Dice both the red and yellow peppers evenly.
- Cook the frozen peas for 2–3 minutes, drain and cool immediately under cold water.
- Drain the sweetcorn thoroughly.
- Finely chop the parsley and dill.
- Preparing everything before assembling the Tuna Pasta Salad makes mixing quicker and ensures every spoonful contains a perfect balance of ingredients.
Step 4: Prepare The Tuna
- Open the tuna cans using a can opener.
- Drain away all excess liquid.
- Use a fork to gently flake the tuna into medium-sized pieces.
- Avoid breaking it into very small flakes, as larger pieces provide better texture throughout the Tuna Pasta Salad.
Step 5: Assemble The Tuna Pasta Salad
- Place the cooled pasta into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the flaked tuna.
- Add the cucumber.
- Fold in the cherry tomatoes.
- Add the sweetcorn.
- Stir in both diced peppers.
- Add the cooled peas.
- Sprinkle over the sliced red onion.
- Add the chopped parsley and dill.
- Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold everything together to distribute the ingredients evenly without crushing the vegetables or pasta.
Step 6: Add The Dressing
- Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the salad.
- Fold gently until every piece of pasta is lightly coated.
- Take care not to overmix, as this can break up the tuna and soften the vegetables too much.
- Check that the dressing is evenly distributed throughout the Tuna Pasta Salad.
Step 7: Taste And Adjust
- Taste the salad.
- Add extra salt if required.
- Add more black pepper for a little extra warmth.
- Squeeze in a little more lemon juice if you prefer a brighter flavour.
- Sprinkle over additional chopped parsley for extra freshness.
- This final seasoning step makes a noticeable difference to the finished Tuna Pasta Salad.
Step 8: Chill Before Serving
- Cover the bowl with cling film or transfer the salad to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
- Chilling allows the dressing to coat the pasta fully and gives the flavours time to blend beautifully.
- Stir gently before serving and garnish with extra herbs if desired.
Notes
- 🥗 Cook the pasta just until al dente to keep it firm and prevent it from becoming mushy after mixing with the dressing.
- ❄️ Allow the pasta to cool completely before combining it with the other ingredients to maintain the creamy texture of the dressing.
- 🐟 Drain the tuna thoroughly to avoid excess moisture that could make the Tuna Pasta Salad watery.
- 🥄 Gently fold the ingredients together rather than stirring vigorously to keep the pasta intact and the tuna flaky.
- 🍋 Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. A little extra lemon juice, salt or black pepper can brighten the flavours.
- 🌿 Fresh herbs make a difference. Parsley and dill add freshness and should be added just before serving for the best flavour.
- ❄️ For the best taste, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to blend beautifully.
- 🥣 If preparing ahead, reserve a little dressing to stir into the salad before serving, as the pasta may absorb some of the dressing during refrigeration.
- 🥬 Feel free to customise the recipe by adding ingredients such as avocado, feta cheese, olives, celery or chopped boiled eggs.
- 🍽️ Serve chilled as a light main course or alongside grilled meats, seafood or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
- 🚫 Do not freeze the salad, as the creamy dressing and fresh vegetables will lose their texture once thawed.
- ❤️ Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making this recipe an excellent choice for meal prep and packed lunches.