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Classic Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

A serving of creamy Tuna pasta salad made with rotini, celery, and red onion on a white plate.
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Make this classic creamy tuna pasta salad, a simple and flavorful dish perfect for quick dinners, lunches, or your next potluck side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta (or preferred short pasta shape)
  • 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained well
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the drained tuna, chopped celery, chopped red onion, and sweet pickle relish.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth. This creates your creamy pasta salad dressing.
  4. Pour the dressing over the tuna and vegetable mixture. Add the cooled pasta and the thawed peas, if using.
  5. Gently fold all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the tuna pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving as a picnic food idea or weeknight meal idea.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • This cold pasta salad tastes even better the next day, making it excellent for meal prep lunch.
  • If you need a quick lunch, this recipe comes together fast, often in under 30 minutes total time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/tuna-pasta-salad/