Simple Tuna and Pasta Salad that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
I like how healthy this recipe can be depending on the ingredients that you add.
Simple Tuna and Pasta Salad
An easy and delicious way to enjoy tuna with pasta.
You probably already have the ingredients to make this in your cupboard!
Did you try my Greek Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing recipe?
That salad recipe is really a classic Greek salad with the tomatoes, olives, and other great ingredients that you would expect from a Greek salad.
This salad however, is really more about the tune and pasta rather than the lettuce and other vegetables.
Do you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Diet?
Find out how to follow the Mediterranean Diet here.
This recipe is especially for anyone asking what goes well with a pasta salad.
While many people think of a pasta salad consisting of pasta and mayonnaise, this salad does not.
This pasta salad is intended to be a healthier version of the usual picnic style salad.
If you have some leftover pasta that you are looking to use, this is the salad for you.
I must say that this salad is a wonderful use for that leftover pasta.
By the way, I just discovered these precooked pasta packages that are perfect for one or for small crowds.
Having the essential can of tuna in the cupboard will usually generate the question of what mixed well with canned tuna.
This tuna with pasta idea sounds like an even better idea!
Folks, like myself, who live in areas that can see home-bounding weather usually have a can or two of tuna as well as pasta in the cupboard.
This tuna with pasta salad recipe is just one easy and delicious meal idea.
You could however, simply eat the tuna on bread or add it to your basic lettuce salad.
I lived off of eating tuna from the can while I was in college.
Spiral Pasta
Tips for making simple tuna and pasta salad.
I mentioned above that I recently discovered small(er) sized packages of precooked pasta. The ones that I buy have two servings which is perfect for this recipe!
Here are some more great tips for you.
- This recipe works best with smaller sized pasta because of the size. I like spiral pasta or elbow pasta for this recipe.
- While I will share a simple recipe for a dressing for this recipe, you could simply use a mayonnaise. I have a recipe for Mediterranean diet mayonnaise that you could use in this recipe.
- Feel free to add additional vegetables to your salad. Ideas for vegetables include peas, corn, celery, and chopped carrots. Olives are good too!
lemon vinaigrette dressing
How to make an easy Lemon Vinaigrette dressing.
I am pairing this recipe for tuna with pasta with a lemon vinaigrette dressing because I enjoy the taste of tuna with lemon. Feel free to use something else if you desire to.
To make the lemon vinaigrette simply whisk together these ingredients to make ½ cup of dressing.
Lemon Juice (1 tbsp), Olive Oil (¼ cup), Vinegar (1-2 tbsp depending on your level of acidity enjoyment, red or white wine), Dijon mustard (1 tbsp) and seasonings to taste. Seasonings to taste can include Italian Seasonings, Salt, and/or Pepper. I like a Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend.
I have been asked how long does tuna pasta salad last in the fridge.
If you are using mayonnaise or a mayo based ingredient, this pasta salad should last up to five days if kept in an air tight container. However, this pasta salad with a simple oil based dressing should last even longer.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- How to Make Fire Roasted Tomatoes.
- Garlic and Broccoli Mashed Potatoes.
- Homemade Italian Salad Dressing for the Mediterranean Diet.
- Asian Coleslaw in Peanut Butter Dressing.
- Mediterranean Diet Ranch Dressing.
- Roasted Lemon and Ginger Chicken
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Simple Tuna and Pasta Salad
Delicious Simple Tuna and Pasta Salad
I mentioned above that this recipe works best with smaller sized pasta because of the size. I like spiral pasta or elbow pasta for this recipe.
Also mentioned above, I am pairing this recipe for tuna with pasta with a lemon vinaigrette dressing because I enjoy the taste of tuna with lemon.
The directions for this dressing are mentioned above. You will need to whisk together Lemon Juice (1 tbsp), Olive Oil (¼ cup), Vinegar (1-2 tbsp depending on your level of acidity enjoyment, red or white wine), Dijon mustard (1 tbsp) and seasonings to taste. Seasonings to taste can include Italian Seasonings, Salt, and/or Pepper. I like a Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend.
Ingredients needed to make a tuna and pasta salad.
- Cooked Pasta- 1 cup per person, so two cups for this recipe for two. Use a smaller noodle such as spirals or elbows. You can find convenient precooked pasta here (my go-to).
- Dressing- ½ cup. See above for lemon vinaigrette recipe.
- Tuna– 1 five ounce can.
- Onion- ¼ cup chopped or sliced. Red onion works well.
- Lettuce- ½ cup or more if desired. I like Romaine for this recipe.
- Sliced tomatoes- ½ cup depending on the tomatoes used. I like cherry sized in this recipe.
- Seasonings as desired. This can include e can include Italian Seasonings, Salt, and/or Pepper. I like a Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend.
- Optional ingredients that you can include. Ideas for vegetables include peas, corn, celery, and chopped carrots. Olives are good too!
How to make this simple tuna and pasta salad.
- If you are making pasta to use in this recipe, please do so and allow the pasta to cool before adding it to this recipe.
- Assemble the dressing ingredients and make adjustments to taste before adding the dressing to this recipe.
- In a large bowl, toss the pasta in half of the the dressing. Add additional dressing as needed to cover the pasta.
- Transfer the pasta to individual plates or bowls.
- Top the pasta with the remaining ingredients and drizzle any remaining dressing as desired on top. You can also add any additional seasonings.
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
Simple Tuna and Pasta Salad, an easy salad that is quick to make and delicious to eat, Mediterranean diet recipe
Simple Tuna and Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- Cooked Pasta- 2 cups
- Vinaigrette Dressing- ½ cup.
- Tuna– 1 five ounce can.
- Onion- ¼ cup chopped or sliced.
- Lettuce- ½ cup or more if desired.
- Sliced tomatoes- ½ cup
- Seasonings as desired.
Instructions
- To make the lemon vinaigrette simply whisk together these ingredients to make ½ cup of dressing.
Lemon Juice (1 tbsp), Olive Oil (¼ cup), Vinegar (1-2 tbsp depending on your level of acidity enjoyment, red or white wine), Dijon mustard (1 tbsp) and seasonings to taste. Seasonings to taste can include Italian Seasonings, Salt, and/or Pepper. I like a Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend.
RECIPE
- If you are making pasta to use in this recipe, please do so and allow the pasta to cool before adding it to this recipe.
- Assemble the dressing ingredients and make adjustments to taste before adding the dressing to this recipe.
- In a large bowl, toss the pasta in half of the the dressing. Add additional dressing as needed to cover the pasta.
- Transfer the pasta to individual plates or bowls.
- Top the pasta with the remaining ingredients and drizzle any remaining dressing as desired on top. You can also add any additional seasonings.
Recipe Notes
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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