Tuna Pasta Salad Creamy (Printable)

Tender pasta with flaky tuna and crisp vegetables in a creamy dressing

# What You'll 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

# How to Make It:

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.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, drained tuna, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, cucumber, olives, and parsley to the bowl.
04 - Gently toss everything together until evenly coated with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a day, making it perfect for make-ahead lunches
  • The yogurt lightens up the dressing without losing that satisfying creaminess you crave
02 -
  • The pasta will continue absorbing the dressing as it sits, so the salad might seem a bit dry the next day. A splash of lemon juice or a spoonful of yogurt brings it back to life.
  • Tuna packed in oil doesn't need any additional salt in the dressing, but water-packed tuna usually needs that full 1/2 teaspoon.
03 -
  • Toasting your pasta in a dry pan before boiling adds a nutty depth that makes the salad feel much more sophisticated
  • Let the red onion soak in cold water for 10 minutes while you prep everything else, then drain. This removes the harsh bite while keeping the sweet flavor.

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