Description
This Tuna Salad with Pasta is a refreshing and protein-packed meal perfect for a quick lunch, light dinner, or weekly meal prep. It combines the comfort of creamy tuna salad with a garden-fresh crunch from radishes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Tossed in a light, zesty dressing with a hint of lemon, this wholesome dish comes together in less than 20 minutes for a satisfying, one-bowl experience.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 oz dry elbow pasta (about 100g)
- 7 oz canned tuna, drained (about 200g)
- 1/3 cup light sour cream
- 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup gherkins or pickles, diced
- 3 large radishes, diced (optional)
- 1 medium Lebanese cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
Instructions
Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta
Begin by boiling the elbow pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. Once tender, strain and rinse immediately under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it drain thoroughly until completely cooled.
Step 2: Whisk the Dressing
In a large salad bowl, combine the light sour cream, light mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and velvety.
Step 3: Incorporate Tuna and Vegetables
Add the well-drained tuna, diced gherkins, radishes, Lebanese cucumber, bell pepper, and finely diced red onion into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until the vegetables and tuna are evenly coated.
Step 4: Mix in the Pasta
Stir in the cooled elbow pasta. Mix well to ensure every shell is covered in the savory dressing. Serve immediately or chill before eating.
Notes
Storage Instructions: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the pasta absorbs the dressing while sitting, stir in a small dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to restore the creaminess.
Pro Drainage Tip: To keep the salad from becoming watery, press the drained tuna with a fork in a mesh strainer to remove as much liquid as possible, and ensure the cucumbers are patted dry after dicing.
Variations: For an extra burst of flavor, stir in fresh chopped dill or parsley. You can also swap the elbow macaroni for rotini or fusilli to catch more of the zesty dressing in the pasta spirals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: tuna pasta salad, creamy tuna macaroni salad, healthy meal prep tuna, cold pasta salad with tuna, 20 minute lunch recipes, zesty tuna salad