This is the most delicious Tuna Pasta Salad you’ve ever had! Creamy, crunchy, and incredibly tasty, you’ll appreciate this delightful twist on a classic cold salad, all dressed in dill mayonnaise.
If you’re looking for more flavorful salad options, don’t miss our Italian Pasta Salad and Pesto Pasta Salad.
Recipe Details
If Tuna Pasta Salad is your thing, this recipe is a must-try. It’s truly the BEST! Infused with fresh herbs for an enhanced flavor profile, this rendition of the classic tuna pasta salad is far more intricate and delicious. Once you try it, you’ll likely never go back to the typical version!
- TASTE: This Tuna Pasta Salad is flavorful, with sharp onion, albacore tuna, mild celery, and eggs, all enveloped in a flavorful mayonnaise dill dressing.
- TEXTURE: Picture a creamy blend of hard-boiled eggs and mayonnaise combined with crunchy celery and onion—each bite is utterly satisfying.
- TIME: It only requires 20 minutes to whip up.
- EASE: This preparation is straightforward and can be done quickly. You can even make it in advance for added convenience.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Tuna- Albacore tuna is preferred, but feel free to use any canned tuna you like.
- Pasta- While elbow macaroni is ideal, any small pasta variety will work as well.
- Dill- Fresh dill enhances the herbaceous flavor of this Tuna Pasta Salad.
- Mayonnaise- Any mayonnaise will work, but full-fat offers a richer, creamier texture.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Healthier alternative- For a lighter pasta salad, consider substituting sour cream or Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise, or choose a lighter version of mayo.
- Different pasta- Feel free to switch up the pasta—penne, ditalini, gemelli, fusilli, or cavatelli all work well.
- Add peas- This vegetable contributes creamy texture and a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Add Dijon mustard- Replacing some of the mayo with Dijon mustard adds a delightful tanginess to the salad.
How to Make Tuna Pasta Salad
- Boil the eggs. Place the eggs in a small pot of water, ensuring they are submerged. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat, cover, and wait 8 minutes.
- Peel and chop the eggs. Move the hard-boiled eggs to an ice bath to cool, then peel and chop them into small pieces. Set aside.
- Cook the macaroni. Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Mix the ingredients. Incorporate the drained tuna, chopped onion, celery, dill, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Stir until thoroughly mixed, then serve chilled.
Recipe Tips
- Choose Albacore tuna- This variety is high in healthy fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, and provides more protein compared to other types. It also pairs well with the other ingredients.
- Longer egg boiling- If you prefer your eggs harder, leave them boiling a few extra minutes; conversely, reduce the time for creamier eggs.
- Utilize an ice bath- Cooling the eggs in an ice bath halts the cooking and makes peeling easier.
- Cook pasta al dente- Aim for pasta with some bite to it—this helps it hold its texture when blended with the other elements.
FAQs
Should you rinse pasta when making pasta salad?
Since this pasta will be part of a cold salad, rinsing it with cold water helps halt the cooking process and cool it down quickly.
Is it best to prepare pasta salad the day before?
This Tuna Pasta Salad keeps well for a couple of days, allowing it to absorb the dressing without becoming mushy. Preparing it a day in advance lets it chill overnight before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Chicken: Pair with Breaded Chicken Skewers, Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Quinoa, Smoked Chicken Thighs, or BBQ Chicken Wings.
- Beef/Steak: Complement it with Garlic Butter Steak Bites, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Easy Beef Chili, or Flank Steak Tacos.
- Seafood: Serve it with Cedar Plank Salmon, Beer Battered Cod, Panko Crusted Salmon, or Baked Shrimp.
- Potatoes: Enjoy this pasta salad alongside Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or Air Fryer French Fries.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Preparation in advance: You can hard boil the eggs and chop the vegetables in advance, making final assembly easy. Just keep the ingredients stored in the fridge until you’re ready to mix.
Storage: To maintain freshness, keep this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay good for up to five days.
Freezing: Freezing this Tuna Pasta Salad isn’t recommended, as it will separate and become mushy when thawed. It’s best to prepare it fresh.
More Delicious Pasta Salads!
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad (VIDEO)
BLT Pasta Salad
Full Recipe Instructions
Start by filling a small pot with lukewarm water and placing 3 large eggs inside, ensuring they are completely submerged. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 8 minutes.
Carefully move the hard-boiled eggs to an ice bath, peeling them once they are cool.
Chop the eggs into small pieces.
Meanwhile, cook 12 oz of elbow macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente.
Drain 2 (5 oz) cans of albacore tuna and place the fish in a large bowl, along with 1/4 cup chopped onion, 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 tsp black pepper, a pinch of salt, 1 chopped stalk of celery, and 2 tbsp chopped dill.
Mix everything until well combined, and serve chilled.
Notes
- Use Albacore tuna– It’s rich in healthy nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and has a higher protein content.
fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, and it contains more protein compared to other varieties. This type of tuna is also flavorful and complements the other ingredients perfectly.
FAQs
Should Pasta Be Rinsed for Salad?
Since this pasta will be served cold in a salad, rinsing it with cold water halts the cooking process and cools it off more quickly.
Is It Ideal to Prepare Pasta Salad the Day Before?
You can store the Tuna Pasta Salad for a couple of days, allowing it to absorb the dressing without becoming mushy. Preparing it a day in advance lets it chill overnight, enhancing its flavor before serving.
Serving Ideas
This Tuna Pasta Salad is a simple dish that works well for lunch, dinner, or at a backyard barbecue. It pairs nicely as a side for virtually any meal.
- Chicken: This pasta salad is great alongside Breaded Chicken Skewers, Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Quinoa, Smoked Chicken Thighs, or BBQ Chicken Wings.
- Beef/Steak: It complements dishes like Garlic Butter Steak Bites, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Easy Beef Chili, or Flank Steak Tacos.
- Seafood: Enjoy it with Cedar Plank Salmon, Beer Battered Cod, Panko Crusted Salmon, or Baked Shrimp.
- Potatoes: Pair this pasta salad with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or Air Fryer French Fries.
Preparing This Recipe in Advance
Make Ahead: You can boil the eggs and chop the vegetables beforehand, so that all that’s left is to assemble the salad when you’re ready. Just keep the ingredients refrigerated in the meantime.
Storage: To keep this salad fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay good for up to 5 days.
Freezing: This Tuna Pasta Salad does not freeze well, as it tends to thaw into a separated and mushy consistency. It’s best enjoyed fresh.
