Tuna Pasta Salad Creamy Dressing (Printable)

Refreshing cold pasta with tuna, vegetables, and creamy dressing. Ideal for picnics and light meals.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)

→ Fish

02 - 2 cans (5 oz each, drained) solid tuna in water or oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 cup celery, diced
06 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
07 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
10 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
11 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, tuna, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, cucumber, olives, and parsley to the bowl with the dressing.
04 - Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together for best taste.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
  • The dressing strikes that perfect balance between creamy and tangy, making it impossible to stop at just one serving
02 -
  • Rinse your pasta under cold water immediately after draining to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming gummy
  • Give the salad a thorough stir right before serving, as the dressing tends to settle at the bottom of the bowl
03 -
  • Drain the tuna thoroughly and use a fork to flake it into the bowl rather than dumping in whole chunks
  • If making ahead, hold back half the dressing and stir it in just before serving to keep the salad from becoming dry

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