• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Cagle Diaries logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
×
Home » Recipes » Lunch Recipes

Tuna Pasta Salad


Prep Time :5 minutes mins
Cook Time :10 minutes mins
Total Time :15 minutes mins
Servings :8
Jump to Recipe
overhead shot of tuna pasta salad
2 images showing a tuna pasta salad

Published: Jun 12, 2023 · Modified: Apr 29, 2025 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

A light and creamy tuna pasta salad is perfect for those summer months when you don't want to overdo it with the food. It's fresh, slightly tangy and filling just enough to leave you happy, perfect for summer time.

overhead shot of tuna pasta salad
Tuna Pasta Salad
Save Recipe

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below and we'll send you the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent periodically!)


The delicious flavors in this creamy pasta salad are brought about from the perfect pairing of the ingredients.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • Other salad recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Frequently asked questions: FAQs
  • Tuna Pasta Salad
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • It's light and full of flavor.
  • You can throw this easy dish together in a matter of minutes with some simple ingredients.
  • It tastes even better the next day.
  • Tuna pasta salad holds up well in the refrigerator, so can be made a day or two in advance if needed.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

ingredients all laid out to make a tuna pasta salad, an overhead shot

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

collage of four images showing how to make a tuna pasta salad
  • Step 1: Cook the pasta per package instructions in a large pot of water, to al dente. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and set aside.
  • Step 2: Chop all the ingredients as needed.
  • Step 3: Place all ingredients (except dressing ingredients), plus the cooked pasta, into a large mixing bowl.
  • Step 4: Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and mix well with a whisk.
a bowl full of ingredients for a tuna pasta salad
  • Step 5: Pour the dressing all over the salad then mix together using a salad serving set (spoon and fork).

Hint: This tuna pasta salad is perfect for potlucks and barbecues and if you're a big tuna fan you should try this Tuna Casserole Recipe from Bowl-Me-Over, it's the best I've tried yet.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Eggs - add a few chopped boiled eggs. Even use some leftover deviled eggs.
  • Lemon Juice - this could be added in place of the vinegar, for that acidity.
  • Green Onions - to add a little zip.
  • Fresh Dill - dill will always work well with a fish flavor, anything mild in flavor.
  • Red Bell Peppers - red bell peppers will add another layer of sweetness.
  • Fresh Herbs - including the dill weed, there are a few herbs you could add to dress up this recipe, like parsley.
  • Whole wheat pasta - Change it up by using whole wheat pasta instead.
  • Pasta Shapes - this recipe will pretty much work with any type of pasta. Some favorites are elbow macaroni, rotini pasta, bowtie (my favorite), cavatappi.
  • Sweet Pickle Relish - I love adding this sometimes, just to change it up.
  • Dill Pickles - these tasty little bites taste so good chopped up in this salad.
  • Miracle Whip - eliminate the need for the vinegar etc.
spoon full of tuna pasta salad

Sharing is Caring - Like Our Facebook Page

The Cagle Diaries

Necessary gear: Equipment

You'll need a pot to cook the pasta in, and a colander to drain and rinse.

You'll then need a set of mixing bowls and a salad bowl with serving utensils.

I have added a couple of affiliate links in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Other salad recipes I think you'll love

  • a close up image of a large bowl of Cajun potato salad with green onions sprinkled on top
    Cajun Potato Salad Recipe
  • A bowl of salad with apples and red onions and cranberries with a spoon on the side
    Apple Cranberry Salad
  • summer pasta salad in a bowl
    Late Summer Pasta Salad
  • Overhead cropped in shot of a bowl of cranberry pecan chicken salad.
    Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
  • Cracker Barrel Kale Salad
  • Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
  • Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
  • KFC Macaroni Salad Recipe
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
  • Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad

How to store leftovers

This is one of those recipes that tastes better after a while.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

This recipe does not hold up well to freezing.

Mel's kitchen notes

Make sure to allow at least 30 minutes chill time before serving. The marination in the refrigerator really helps bring all the flavors together.

side view of a bowl of tuna pasta salad

Frequently asked questions: FAQs

Is tuna pasta good for weight loss?

It can be. Just a small 1 cup portion though, don't overdo it (as with everything). The carbohydrates in the pasta can be a bad thing if you eat too much, but most everything else is not bad.
If you want to lighten it up, use a fat free yogurt and light mayonnaise.

How long does tuna pasta salad last in the fridge?

3-5 days.


If you’ve tried these Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!

a loaf tin with banana bread with mayo on a cooling rack

Viral Recipe Alert!

Banana Bread

Due to the secret ingredient in this deliciously moist banana bread it has become one of my most sought after recipes!

Get the recipe
overhead shot of tuna pasta salad
Print (Email Required)

Tuna Pasta Salad

Deliciously tasty and fresh, this Tuna Pasta Salad is a perfect summer salad for those days you are looking for an easy, light dish.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Salads
Author: Melanie Cagle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Video

Equipment

  • Salad utensils
  • Salad Serving Bowl

Ingredients

  • 12 Ounces Bowtie Pasta cooked
  • 1 Cup Frozen Corn thawed
  • 1 Cup Frozen Peas thawed
  • ½ Each Red Onion diced
  • 1 Cup Cucumber cut into quarters
  • 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 3 Each Mini Sweet Peppers diced
  • 2 (5 Ounce) Cans Tuna drained
  • ⅓ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt plain
  • ⅓ Cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Creole Mustard
  • 2 Cloves Garlic minced
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta per the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to shock the pasta and wash off any starch.
    12 Ounces Bowtie Pasta
  • While the pasta is cooking chop and prepare the other ingredients.
    1 Cup Frozen Corn, 1 Cup Frozen Peas, ½ Each Red Onion, 1 Cup Cucumber, 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, 3 Each Mini Sweet Peppers, 2 (5 Ounce) Cans Tuna
  • In a small mixing bowl add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, Creole mustard and garlic. Mix well with a whisk. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix again. Taste to make sure you’re happy with the seasoning.
    ⅓ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt, ⅓ Cup Mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon Creole Mustard, 2 Cloves Garlic, Salt and Pepper to taste
  • In a large bowl add the rinsed pasta, corn, peas, red onion, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers and tuna.
  • Drizzle the dressing all over the salad ingredients and mix with salad serving spoons.
Did You Make This?Please consider Leaving a Review!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 143mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g

Sign Up for my emails and never miss another recipe!

I'll never share your email, or send you spam. Pinkie Promise!

More Lunch Recipes

  • close up of a plate of crawfish enchiladas with some avocado in the background
    Crawfish Enchiladas Recipe
  • Side view of a skillet full of crawfish sauce.
    Crawfish Sauce
  • Close up of a roast beef po boy.
    Hearty Roast Beef Po Boy
  • Overhead shot of a southern tomato pie.
    Southern Tomato Pie
44 shares
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

Filed Under: Dinner Recipes, Lunch Recipes, Pasta Recipes, Salad Recipes, Seafood Recipes, Side Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





Primary Sidebar

Momma Cagle!

Picture of Melanie Cagle standing in front of her stove, in the kitchen.

I'm Melanie, I am mom to two beautiful children and married to James - my American sweetheart (I'm British).  A transplant in Houma, South Louisiana I have found a love for all Cajun and Creole food.
Learn more about me...

CAJUN FAVORITES

  • Bowl of crawfish etouffee with rice scoop in the middle.
    Cajun Crawfish Etouffee
  • Close up of boudin balls with a hint of the mustard cream sauce peeking in, sprinkled with green onions on top.
    Deep Fried Boudin Balls
  • A tray of boiled crabs with veggies and dipping sauce.
    Authentic Louisiana Crab Boil Recipe: Spicy Cajun Seafood Feast
  • Close up of a bowl of seafood gumbo with a pile of rice and a spoon digging into it.
    Authentic Louisiana Seafood Gumbo Recipe
  • A large platter of fried catfish nuggets with some lemon wedges and a tartar sauce.
    Fried Catfish Nuggets
  • Close up of some pinto beans and sausage on a spoon over a crock pot.
    Crock Pot Pinto Beans

Footer

↑ back to top

About

as seen on logo images

Terms & Conditions | Accessibility Policy | Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

©2025 Copyright The Cagle Diaries. All rights reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required