This creamy tuna pasta salad is a scrumptious mixture of crimson bell pepper, capers, and a creamy yogurt dressing, brightened with contemporary herbs and lemon.
This creamy tuna pasta salad comes collectively in about 20 minutes and holds up fantastically within the fridge all week, making it good for meal-prepped lunches. Flaky tuna, contemporary herbs, capers, crimson bell pepper, and a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing make this straightforward pasta salad something however boring.
Why This Tuna Pasta Salad Works for Meal Prep
Whereas I’m not an enormous prep day individual, I do like to make one giant recipe that may carry my lunches by way of the week. I’ve performed prep day kale salads and grain salads like this citrus curry farro salad. And this season I’ve been on a kick of pasta salad recipes (see additionally dill pickle pasta salad and taco pasta salad!)
Pasta salads aren’t at all times excessive on the protein chart, which is why I added some tuna. Canned salmon would work completely right here too! Suppose tuna noodle casserole meets creamy tuna salad! Not like many traditional pasta salads which can be principally pasta and mayonnaise, this model provides protein-rich tuna and Greek yogurt to make it extra filling for lunch or a light-weight dinner. Plus contemporary herbs, crimson bell pepper, capers, and plenty of lemon for a pasta salad that’s simply as good for meal prep lunches as it’s for summer time picnics, potlucks, or a fast weeknight dinner.
Makes about 6 servings, prepared in 25 minutes, retains for 4 days!
Simple Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
This tuna pasta salad recipe is SO straightforward to toss collectively and could be made principally from elements within the fridge and pantry. I used elbow macaroni as a nod to casseroles, and two cans of flaked albacore tuna. The tuna provides loads of protein, making this pasta salad satisfying sufficient for lunch as an alternative of only a aspect dish. I at all times search for sustainably caught tuna – the MSC seal is an effective indicator. Fishwife and Wild Planet are my favourite manufacturers. (Get 10% off Fishwife with the code KATHEATS10).
Elements
This straightforward tuna pasta salad recipe combines elbow macaroni, hearty albacore tuna, crimson bell pepper, contemporary herbs (a should!), and capers in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing with lemon. The brilliant lemon taste retains it contemporary and light-weight whereas the yogurt provides additional protein and a tangy, creamy texture with out feeling such as you’re getting a cup of mayo in each chew.
Variations
This tuna pasta salad is endlessly adaptable. Swap the albacore tuna for canned salmon or chunk mild tuna, use peas or corn as an alternative of bell pepper, add chopped celery or carrots for crunch, or stir in feta, cheddar, or olives for a Mediterranean twist. It’s an ideal clean-out-the-fridge recipe.
Yep, a few of these pics are from my outdated (outdated) kitchen!
Lemon zest is essential to the dish’s shiny taste, and I additionally used a handful of herbs from our herb backyard: parsley, dill, and basil. Use no matter mixture of herbs you could have, or simply choose your favourite and go all in. I used a crimson bell pepper as a result of I at all times have one available, however frozen peas or corn – or contemporary summer time corn reduce off the cob – can be nice. Chopped celery and even crimson onion (!) would add crunch. You can too add in some shredded or diced sharp cheddar cheese or crumbled feta. Olives can be a pleasant Mediterranean addition to go along with the capers, too!
- Elbow macaroni – or you should use any pasta form you want
- Albacore tuna – or swap in salmon or chunk mild tuna for those who choose
- Pink bell pepper – or the equal quantity of veggies of your alternative
- Herbs – any combine you want. I used parsley, basil, and dill. Child spinach works too!
- Capers – love them! Go away them out for those who don’t, or swap in chopped olives.
For the dressing
- Full-fat Greek yogurt – my go-to in pasta salads to maintain the saturated fats at bay and protein excessive with a lot of creamy texture
- Duke’s mayonnaise
- Lemon – zested and juiced
- Salt and pepper – naturally
How To Make This Tuna Pasta Salad
Prepare dinner the pasta
Warmth a big pot of salted water to boiling. Prepare dinner the pasta till al dente in response to the bundle directions. Drain and rinse with chilly water. Return pasta to pot or a big mixing bowl.
Prep the elements
In the meantime, chop the bell pepper and herbs. Drain the capers. Zest and juice lemon. I like lemon zest and use it each time I take advantage of a lemon! I then flip over my microplane and use it to catch the lemon seeds whereas squeezing out the juice. My lemon yielded about 1.5 tbsp zest and three tbsp juice.
Prep the tuna
Drain tuna and flake with a fork.
Make the dressing
Mix yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to mix.
Combine pasta salad collectively
Add chopped pepper, herbs, and capers to the cooked pasta. Then add the tuna. Stir to combine.
Stir within the dressing
Add 3/4 of the dressing to the pasta and stir till mixed. Add remainder of dressing, if desired.
Serve
Function a aspect dish at a picnic or as a predominant course for lunch or a lighter dinner.
Retailer
Retailer within the fridge in an hermetic container for a number of days. It’s possible you’ll need to freshen it up with a squeeze of lemon juice or additional yogurt dressing because the pasta will step by step take in the dressing.
Tuna Pasta Salad
This tuna pasta salad is brightened with contemporary herbs and lemon and combined with crimson bell pepper, capers, and a creamy yogurt dressing.
Elements
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cans albacore tuna
- 1 crimson bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped herbs like parsley, basil, and dill
- 2 ounce jar of capers
For the dressing
- 1 cup full fats greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp Duke’s mayonnaise
- 1 lemon zested and juiced (1.5 tbsp zest and three tbsp juice)
- salt and pepper
Directions
Warmth a big pot of salted water to boiling.
Prepare dinner pasta in response to the bundle directions, till al dente. Drain and rinse with chilly water. Return pasta to pot or a big mixing bowl.
In the meantime, chop pepper and herbs. Zest and juice lemon. Drain capers.
Drain tuna and flake with a fork.
Make the dressing: mix yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to mix.
Add pepper, herbs, and capers to the cooked pasta, adopted by tuna. Stir to combine.
Add 3/4 of the dressing to the pasta and stir till mixed. Add remainder of dressing, if desired.
Tuna Pasta Salad FAQs
Are you able to make tuna pasta salad forward of time?
Sure! Actually, this tuna pasta salad tastes even higher after a number of hours within the fridge because the flavors have time to mix collectively.
How lengthy does tuna pasta salad final?
It’s a superb meal prep lunch and can preserve nicely for as much as 4 days within the fridge in an hermetic container. Stir in a squeeze of lemon juice or an additional spoonful of yogurt earlier than serving if it appears dry.
What sort of tuna is greatest for tuna pasta salad?
I like albacore tuna as a result of it has a agency texture and extra taste, however chunk mild tuna or canned salmon each work nicely – even sardines! Simply drain the can completely earlier than mixing it into the salad.
Can I make tuna pasta salad more healthy?
Completely. Utilizing Greek yogurt within the dressing boosts the protein whereas preserving the salad creamy and lighter than a mayonnaise-only dressing. You can too add additional greens like peas, celery, spinach, or cucumbers for much more vitamin.
What goes with tuna pasta salad?
Serve it by itself in a bowl for a simple lunch or pair it with a peach, watermelon, sliced tomatoes, grilled greens, crackers, or a inexperienced salad for an entire summer time meal.
Are you able to freeze tuna pasta salad?
I don’t advocate it. The yogurt dressing can separate after thawing and the pasta loses its texture.
