This lightened up healthy tuna pasta salad requires no mayo but has a light lemon dressing and is so easy to make. It's perfect served cold for a summer lunch.
Taking it old school with tuna pasta salad today.
I mean seriously doesn't tuna pasta salad just make you think of being a kid?
It was one of my all time favourite foods as a kid and I'm talking about the type that would be slathered in mayo with a few token chunks of cucumber thrown in for good measure. Now don't get me wrong I still love that exact dish and it remains a real comfort food for me but I felt like it was time to upgrade the humble tuna pasta salad.
This version has some of my favourite ingredients in it and it's all tossed with a lemony mustardy dressing which keeps the whole thing light and summery. Perfect for a picnic or barbecue.
I'm so excited to add this recipe to my selection of pasta salads along with this caprese pasta salad, mackerel pasta salad and roasted tomato pasta salad.
Why we love this recipe...
It's full of fresh ingredients like cucumber, red onion and fresh basil which makes it the perfect summer dish.
It's great for meal prep as it will store well in the fridge for several days so you can make it ahead for work lunches or a weekend gathering.
It's also easy to make with ingredients you have on hand so feel free to throw in any leftover veg you like.
This is also a healthier and lighter version of a classic creamy tuna pasta salad with a lemon dressing and plenty of filling ingredients.
Ingredients
Pasta: I used fusilli but use whatever cut of pasta you like. Macaroni or penner would be good.
Canned Tuna: Make sure to get sustainably sourced tuna
Red Onion: Very finely chopped
Feta: Crumbled
Sun Dried Tomatoes: Thinly sliced
Pine Nuts
Cucumber
Fresh Basil: And lots of it
Lemon Mustard Dressing: Made from a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard and garlic
How to make it
- Cook the pasta: According to packet instructions then drain and rinse with cold water
- Make the salad dressing: Whisk together all the dressing ingredients then season to taste
- Make the salad: Toss together all of the ingredients with the dressing and serve
Expert tips
If you want to make this recipe gluten free simply switch the pasta for your favourite gluten free brand
You could switch the tuna for salmon or smoked mackerel if you prefer
Feel free to add any extra vegetables you like to this pasta salad
Variations
Switch up the flavourings by trying different herbs instead of the basil. Dill or parsley would be really good here.
Add extra veggies like blanched frozen peas, green onion or broccoli florets.
FAQs
This recipe lasts up to 5 days in the fridge so it's a great one for meal prep. I'd recommend refreshing with a drizzle of olive oil or a little extra dressing before serving.
Tuna is such a great ingredient to add to your cooking. It's full of omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and anti-oxidants. Try my tuna salad for another delicious way of using this fish!
You can have it however you like! If you don't want to wait for the pasta to cool then feel free to add in the rest of the ingredients and serve it warm, I'd probably leave the cucumber out if you're planning on serving it like this. Alternatively, you can have it cold which makes it perfect for a summer picnic.
Want more? Try these other pasta recipes!
- Easy Crispy Pancetta Ravioli with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Spinach
- Vegetarian Spaghetti Bolognese with Mushrooms
- Blackened Shrimp Pasta
- Halloumi Pasta with Tahini Dressing
- Weeknight Pasta with Pancetta, Peas and Mint
- 15 Minute Mushroom Tagliatelle
- 15 Minute Spicy Salmon Linguine
- Sausage Pasta Bake
- Pesto Pasta Salad
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Recipe
Tuna Pasta Salad with Feta & Pine Nuts
Ingredients
- 300 g Pasta
- 2 200g tins Tuna drained
- ½ Red Onion chopped
- 100 g Feta crumbled
- 10 Sun Dried Tomatoes chopped
- 50 g Pine Nuts
- ½ Cucumber chopped
- Bunch Fresh Basil chopped
Dressing
- 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 clove Garlic crushed
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to packet instructions then drain and rinse in cold water until cooled.
- Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the tuna, red onion, feta, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts, cucumber, basil and dressing.
Notes
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Suzy says
This combination is just perfect! Love it and we will be making it again soon!
Veena Azmanov says
Pasta is one of my family favorite and this Tuna and cheese combination to this pasta is amazing and unique.
Pam Greer says
I love this lighter and healthier tuna pasta salads! Perfect for a picnic!
Beth Pierce says
This was such a great recipe! Flavorful, quick and delicious! Yum!
Cindy Gordon says
Pasta salad is a huge part of summer! We are always looking for new ways to make it. This looks great!