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
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.
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Ingredients Need to Make Tuna Pasta Salad
- Pasta
- Tuna
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Onion
- Celery
- Peas
- Mayo
- Mustard
- Relish
- Garlic Powder
- Dill
- Salt and Pepper
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.
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.
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.
Finally, we mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Looking for other great summer salads? Consider some of these other great potluck side dishes that I have shared:
- Creamy Fruit Salad – great for the pickiest of eaters.
- Creamy Cucumber and Radish Salad – light and healthy!
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad – fun and tasty twist on the classic.
Tuna Pasta Salad
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
Vicky Thomson
Making this right now. I think I am gonna add some capers as well. wish me luck.
Jen Cincyshopper
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.
Paige
This was pretty good (though I did use less mayo (miracle whip actually because we can’t stand mayo) and more salt), but I wonder if it could be great with some additional recipe info. What kind of mustard… Dried? Yellow? Dijon? What kind of dill… dill weed or fresh dill? Peas… I’m assuming they didn’t need to be cooked but I’m not sure. Relish…sweet 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.
Johnny
I enjoyed this. Basic tuna salad. I will make again. Made more than I anticipated.
Elizabeth
This pasta salad is sooo delicious!!
Susan
Do you use sweet or dill relish
Kathy
I made this today and boy is it fabulous! 👍
Emily
Thanks 😊 I was craving, and old fashion recipe, that I always made, but, you know, really never used an actual “recipe “ & . You just use what you have. Thanks enjoyed, with family! This is a keeper!!! Spring, or anytime salad. 😊
Diane White
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! 😋 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 didn’t seem to be a overwhelming, amount. I wouldn’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 didn’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 didn’t want it swimming in mayo. So I left it. You can always add more, if it’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 . I’m definitely going to make again. As I’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!! )
Diane White
I’ve been wanting to make this for months! And today is the day. I’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 don’t like.. Talk to you guys later, with my thoughts. 😋😋😋😋😋
Ziyi
This tastes so good and it’s so easy! Makes a good meal prep too! thanks for the recipe:)
Tobie
Simple and tasty.