Tuna Pasta Salad

12 Comments

This Tuna Pasta Salad will be a great side dish for your next summer bbq, lunch, or even a meal. You will find it loaded with perfectly cooked macaroni, tuna, onion, celery, peas, hard-boiled eggs, and a simple creamy dressing.

Tuna Pasta Salad in a bowl.

Tuna Pasta Salad

Summer picnics are just around the corner and classic salad recipes are perfect for serving family and guests. Easy salads like this Tuna Pasta Salad or my Loaded Potato Salad, Creamy Broccoli Salad, or Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette are great for serving a large crowd at a family barbecue. They are all classic salad recipes that everyone will.

Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad in a bowl.

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Since tuna is filling and healthy, it is excellent for dinner, lunch, or a side dish. Tuna pasta salad is great to serve with hot dogs, burgers, chicken, or all by itself for a meal. I only use mayo in my dressing mixture for this salad. If you would like to keep the dish a bit more healthy, go ahead and use 1/2 mayo and 1/2 yogurt when preparing the dressing.

Closeup of Tuna Pasta Salad.

Not a fan of tuna? Have no worries. I am not much of a fan myself, but when I mix tuna with pasta, egg, crunchy veggies, and the dressing, the tuna flavor is not overwhelming like many tuna dishes. Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad is the best. I think if you give it a try, you will agree.

Tuna Pasta Salad on a plate.

Make the Tuna Pasta Salad ahead of time and allow it to chill for about an hour. I find that pasta salads are best after being refrigerated for hours. Some are better after a day or two even. Leftovers are always great too!

Tuna Pasta Salad on a spoon.

How long will Tuna Pasta Salad last?

Go ahead and store your salad in an airtight container. Then place it in the fridge for up to 5 days. If it starts to get a bit dry, go ahead and add a bit of mayo or yogurt to make it a bit wetter.

Tuna Pasta Salad in a bowl with text.

What are some mix-in alternatives for Tuna Pasta Salad?

Feel free to mix-in cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, bacon, peppers, or even bacon — tuna pairs well with so many different foods.

Tuna Pasta Salad on a plate with text.

Ingredients Need to Make Tuna Pasta Salad

  • Pasta
  • Tuna
  • Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Peas
  • Mayo
  • Mustard
  • Relish
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dill
  • Salt and Pepper

Ingredients to make Tuna Pasta Salad.

How to make Cold Tuna Pasta Salad

First, you will want to cook the pasta according to package directions. Make sure not to overcook. Try to achieve al dente pasta. Immediately transfer the hot pasta to a strainer to rinse with cold water. The rinsing will stop cooking quickly. If the pasta overcooks, it will be mushy consistency. I used traditional elbow macaroni pasta. Go ahead and use your favorite pasta.

Rinsing elbow macaroni for tuna pasta salad.

While the pasta is cooking, I usually chop my veggies and eggs. Also, I prepare the tuna. I drain and rinse tuna a bit more before shredding with two forks.

Shredding tuna for pasta salad.

Next, I make the tuna pasta salad dressing. It is very easy to make. I add the mayo, mustard, relish, and spices to a bowl and whisk well.

Making the dressing for Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad.

Finally, we mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Pouring dressing to make Tuna Pasta Salad.

Creamy Tuna Macaroni Salad on a plate.

Looking for other great summer salads? Consider some of these other great potluck side dishes that I have shared:

4.75 from 8 votes

Tuna Pasta Salad

This Tuna Pasta Salad will be a great side dish for your next summer bbq, lunch or even a meal. You will find it loaded with perfectly cooked macaroni, tuna, onion, celery, peas, hard-boiled eggs, and a simple creamy dressing.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Total: 17 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb Pasta, I used Elbow Macaroni
  • 4 5 oz cans Tuna, drained
  • 6 hard boiled Eggs, diced
  • 1/2 Red Onion, diced
  • 4 stalks Celery, diced
  • 12 oz frozen Peas, thawed
  • 1 1/4 cup Mayo
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard
  • 1/4 cup Relish
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Dill
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions for aldente. Do not overcook.
  • Rinse under cold water. Drain and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine mayo, mustard, relish, garlic powder, dill, salt and pepper.
  • Whisk until combined.
  • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until well coated.
  • Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 613kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 180mg, Sodium: 829mg, Potassium: 432mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 605IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 3mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Long collage for Tuna Pasta Salad.

Short collage for Tuna Pasta Salad.

 

About Jen Lunsford

A lover of food and frugal living. A wife to a wonderful hubby, momma to 5 fun kiddos. Welcome to my blog. You will find REAL TASTY RECIPES. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media, to never miss a recipe.

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4.75 from 8 votes

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12 Comments

    1. Hi Vicky! I hope you enjoyed. This happens to be one of my favorite casseroles from my childhood. I never thought to add capers. I hope it was a great addition.

  1. 4 stars
    This was pretty good (though I did use less mayo (miracle whip actually because we canโ€™t stand mayo) and more salt), but I wonder if it could be great with some additional recipe info. What kind of mustardโ€ฆ Dried? Yellow? Dijon? What kind of dillโ€ฆ dill weed or fresh dill? Peasโ€ฆ Iโ€™m assuming they didnโ€™t need to be cooked but Iโ€™m not sure. Relishโ€ฆsweet or dill? I realize I can, and will, do tweaks to match or own taste preferences but a more detailed recipe would sure give non-cooks like me a better starting point.

  2. 5 stars
    Thanks ๐Ÿ˜Š I was craving, and old fashion recipe, that I always made, but, you know, really never used an actual โ€œrecipe โ€œ & . You just use what you have. Thanks enjoyed, with family! This is a keeper!!! Spring, or anytime salad. ๐Ÿ˜Š

  3. 5 stars
    I left a reply, here last night. When I came back, it was gone. I just thought of something funny. So is this Tuna Pasta Salad I made! ๐Ÿ˜‹ I love red onion, so I added more. My Son barbecued, last night . Country ribs, Hot links, Chicken. I added the 12 oz. of petite sweet peas, to this recipe. After mixing, I thought just throw the rest in, so I did. It didnโ€™t seem to be a overwhelming, amount. I wouldnโ€™t add anymore, in the future, when making this. Perfect amount! The recipe mentioned alternative mixes, I added sharp cheddar cheese to mine, not to the recipe. It was ok. The cup and 1/2 of mayonnaise, as directions state. I didnโ€™t measure, when I made this recipe, but I know it was more like over 2 cups. Even then it was more on the drier side. I didnโ€™t want it swimming in mayo. So I left it. You can always add more, if itโ€™s to dry for your liking. My Sons barbecuing again tonight, and that will be the end of my Tuna Pasta Salad! This nine minute prep. Lol.. it took me that long, to get my eggs on to boil . Iโ€™m definitely going to make again. As Iโ€™m typing, I was yelling out to my Son, make sure to leave your dad, a bowl for dinner ! Thanks, for the recipe.. only really made one change. I used small sea-shells. I always have used them, only for shrimp salad, and now my second favorite!! ( Tuna Pasta Salad!! )

  4. 5 stars
    Iโ€™ve been wanting to make this for months! And today is the day. Iโ€™ll write a review, when all is done. I shredded some sharp cheddar cheese the other day, will go ahead and toss some in, as was mentioned for alternative mix ins. Making pasta salads, like these, are new to me. I really hope it taste good. I loves peas, pasta, tuna, and red onion, is a staple in my diet. There nothing I donโ€™t like.. Talk to you guys later, with my thoughts. ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹