This creamy tuna pasta salad is a scrumptious mixture of purple 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 excellent for meal-prepped lunches. Flaky tuna, contemporary herbs, capers, purple bell pepper, and a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing make this simple 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 massive recipe that may carry my lunches via 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 all the time 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 basic pasta salads which might 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, purple bell pepper, capers, and many lemon for a pasta salad that’s simply as excellent 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!
Straightforward Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
This tuna pasta salad recipe is SO simple to toss collectively and might 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 all the time 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).
Components
This simple tuna pasta salad recipe combines elbow macaroni, hearty albacore tuna, purple bell pepper, contemporary herbs (a should!), and capers in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing with lemon. The intense lemon taste retains it contemporary and lightweight whereas the yogurt provides further protein and a tangy, creamy texture with out feeling such as you’re getting a cup of mayo in each chunk.
Variations
This tuna pasta salad is endlessly adaptable. Swap the albacore tuna for canned salmon or chunk gentle 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 awesome clean-out-the-fridge recipe.
Yep, a few of these pics are from my previous (previous) kitchen!
Lemon zest is vital to the dish’s vivid taste, and I additionally used a handful of herbs from our herb backyard: parsley, dill, and basil. Use no matter mixture of herbs you’ve got, or simply decide your favourite and go all in. I used a purple bell pepper as a result of I all the time have one available, however frozen peas or corn – or contemporary summer time corn reduce off the cob – can be nice. Chopped celery and even purple 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 together with the capers, too!
- Elbow macaroni – or you should utilize any pasta form you want
- Albacore tuna – or swap in salmon or chunk gentle tuna in the event you choose
- Crimson bell pepper – or the equal quantity of veggies of your selection
- Herbs – any combine you want. I used parsley, basil, and dill. Child spinach works too!
- Capers – love them! Depart them out in the event you 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
Cook dinner the pasta
Warmth a big pot of salted water to boiling. Cook dinner the pasta till al dente based on the package deal 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 major course for lunch or a lighter dinner.
Retailer
Retailer within the fridge in an hermetic container for just a few days. You could need to freshen it up with a squeeze of lemon juice or further yogurt dressing because the pasta will progressively take in the dressing.
Tuna Pasta Salad
This tuna pasta salad is brightened with contemporary herbs and lemon and combined with purple bell pepper, capers, and a creamy yogurt dressing.
Components
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cans albacore tuna
- 1 purple 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
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Warmth a big pot of salted water to boiling.
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Cook dinner pasta based on the package deal directions, till al dente. Drain and rinse with chilly water. Return pasta to pot or a big mixing bowl.
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In the meantime, chop pepper and herbs. Zest and juice lemon. Drain capers.
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Drain tuna and flake with a fork.
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Make the dressing: mix yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to mix.
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Add pepper, herbs, and capers to the cooked pasta, adopted by tuna. Stir to combine.
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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! In reality, this tuna pasta salad tastes even higher after just a few 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 hold effectively 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 finest for tuna pasta salad?
I like albacore tuna as a result of it has a agency texture and extra taste, however chunk gentle tuna or canned salmon each work effectively – even sardines! Simply drain the can totally 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 holding the salad creamy and lighter than a mayonnaise-only dressing. You can too add further greens like peas, celery, spinach, or cucumbers for much more diet.
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 suggest it. The yogurt dressing can separate after thawing and the pasta loses its texture.
