This is the finest Tuna Pasta Salad you will ever enjoy! Creamy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor, this twist on a classic cold salad is tossed in a dill mayonnaise dressing that you’ll adore.
If you’re looking for more delicious salads, don’t miss our Italian Pasta Salad and Pesto Pasta Salad.
Recipe Details
If you enjoy Tuna Pasta Salad, this recipe is a must-try. It’s the ULTIMATE! Featuring fresh herbs for enhanced flavor, this rendition of the traditional tuna pasta salad is richer and more complex than you might expect. Once you try it, you might never return to the standard version!
- TASTE: This Tuna Pasta Salad is delightful, with robust onion, albacore tuna, mild celery, and eggs, all smothered in a flavorful mayonnaise dill dressing.
- TEXTURE: A luscious blend of hard-boiled eggs and mayonnaise combined with crunchy celery and onion makes every bite highly addictive.
- TIME: It only requires 20 minutes to prepare.
- EASE: This recipe is simple and quick to assemble. You can even prepare it ahead for added convenience.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Tuna- Albacore is ideal, but feel free to use any canned tuna of your preference.
- Pasta- Although elbow macaroni is a great choice, other varieties of small pasta will work well, too.
- Dill- Fresh dill is recommended to impart the best herbaceous flavor to this Tuna Pasta Salad.
- Mayonnaise- Any kind will do, but full-fat mayo will give the richest and most creamy texture.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Make a lighter version- For a healthier take on this pasta salad, swap sour cream or Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise, or use a lighter mayo.
- Substitute another pasta- Any small pasta type will suffice; you could try penne, ditalini, gemelli, fusilli, or cavatelli.
- Add peas- This vegetable contributes a smooth texture and mild taste that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- Add Dijon mustard- Replacing some mayo with Dijon mustard adds a tangy kick that’s delightful.
How to Make Tuna Pasta Salad
- Boil the eggs. In a small pot filled with water, make sure the eggs are fully submerged. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Cover and let sit for 8 minutes.
- Peel and chop the eggs. After transferring the hard-boiled eggs to an ice bath, peel them when cool and chop into small pieces. Set aside.
- Cook the macaroni. In a pot of salted boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Combine the ingredients. Mix in the drained tuna, chopped onion, celery, dill, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined. Serve chilled.
Recipe Tips
- Use Albacore tuna– It’s rich in healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, and has a higher protein content than other varieties. Albacore tuna is also flavorful and complements other ingredients well.
- Boil the eggs longer- If you prefer firmer eggs, consider cooking them a bit longer. On the other hand, for creamier eggs, reduce the cooking time slightly.
- Use an ice bath- To prevent overcooking, place the eggs in an ice bath immediately after boiling. This also makes peeling easier.
- Cook the pasta al dente- Aim for pasta that retains some chewiness and can hold up when mixed with other ingredients; cooking al dente is key.
FAQs
Should you rinse pasta when making pasta salad?
Since this pasta is intended for a cold salad, rinsing it with cold water helps stop the cooking process and cools it down quickly.
Is it best to make pasta salad the day before?
This Tuna Pasta Salad keeps well for a couple of days, allowing flavors to meld without becoming mushy. Preparing it a day in advance can give it ample time to chill before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Chicken: Enjoy this pasta salad with Breaded Chicken Skewers, Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Quinoa, Smoked Chicken Thighs, or BBQ Chicken Wings.
- Beef/Steak: It can be paired with Garlic Butter Steak Bites, Braised Beef Short Ribs (VIDEO), Easy Beef Chili, or Flank Steak Tacos.
- Seafood: Serve it alongside Cedar Plank Salmon, Beer Battered Cod, Panko Crusted Salmon, or Baked Shrimp.
- Potatoes: Accompany this pasta salad with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or Air Fryer French Fries.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can boil the eggs and chop any vegetables, making assembly quick when you’re ready to serve. Keep your prepped ingredients in the fridge until then.
Storing: To maintain freshness, store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Unfortunately, this Tuna Pasta Salad does not freeze well, as it will come out separated and mushy. It’s best to make 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 adding 3 large eggs, ensuring they are fully submerged. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Cover and let sit for 8 minutes.
Once done, carefully transfer the hard-boiled eggs to an ice bath and peel them after cooling.
Chop the eggs into small pieces.
Cook 12 oz of elbow macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente.
Drain 2 (5 oz) cans of albacore tuna, placing it 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 together thoroughly. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Use Albacore tuna– It’s rich in healthy fats, delivering key omega-3 fatty acids.
Here’s a revised version of your article, maintaining the original quality, structure, style, and intent:
—
Fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, and a higher protein content distinguish this type of tuna, making it a flavorful addition that complements its other ingredients well.
- Boil the eggs longer- For firmer hardboiled eggs, extend the boiling time by a few minutes. On the other hand, if you prefer a creamier consistency, reduce the boiling time slightly.
- Use an ice bath- To avoid overcooking and ensure easier peeling, transfer the eggs to an ice bath immediately after boiling.
- Cook the pasta al dente- This method will maintain a bit of firmness in the pasta, preventing it from becoming overly soft when mixed with the other components.
FAQs
Should you rinse pasta when making pasta salad?
Since this pasta will be incorporated into a cold salad, rinsing it with cold water is advisable to halt the cooking process and expedite cooling.
Is it best to prepare pasta salad the day before?
This Tuna Pasta Salad can be easily stored for a few days, allowing it to absorb the dressing without becoming mushy. Preparing it a day in advance permits it to chill overnight before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This Tuna Pasta Salad is a simple dish, ideal for lunch, dinner, or a picnic in the backyard. Its delightful flavors make it a favored side for nearly any meal.
- Chicken: Pair this pasta salad with Breaded Chicken Skewers, Healthy Quinoa Chicken Nuggets, Smoked Chicken Thighs, or BBQ Chicken Wings.
- Beef/Steak: Enjoy it with Garlic Butter Steak Bites, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Easy Beef Chili, or Flank Steak Tacos.
- Seafood: Complement it with Cedar Plank Salmon, Beer Battered Cod, Panko Crusted Salmon, or Baked Shrimp.
- Potatoes: Serve 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
Make ahead: You can hard boil the eggs and chop the vegetables in advance, making it easy to assemble the salad when you’re ready. Just keep the ingredients stored in the refrigerator until use.
Storing: To maintain freshness, keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will last for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Note that this Tuna Pasta Salad does not freeze well, as it will become watery and mushy upon thawing. It’s recommended to prepare it fresh.
