Tuna Pasta Salad Creamy Dressing (Printable Version)
Tender pasta with flaky tuna, crisp vegetables in creamy dressing. Ideal for outdoor gatherings and quick meals.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 9 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)
→ Fish
02 - 2 cans (5 oz each, drained) solid tuna in water or oil
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 cup celery, diced
06 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
07 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
→ Dressing
09 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
10 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
11 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, drained tuna, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, cucumber, olives, and parsley to the bowl with the dressing.
04 - Toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing mixture.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together faster than you can set a proper table, making it perfect for those nights when cooking feels like too much work but takeout feels wrong.
- The dressing clings to every twist of pasta, and somehow it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a day.
02 -
- Rinse the pasta with cold water immediately after draining to stop the cooking process completely.
- The salad needs at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator for the flavors to really come together.
03 -
- Toast the pasta in olive oil for a few minutes before boiling to add a nutty depth.
- Add a handful of capers or chopped fresh dill for a completely different flavor profile.