Description
This Tuna Pasta Salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for a light lunch or a picnic. Featuring tender pasta shells, flaky canned tuna, fresh vegetables, and a creamy lemon-mayo dressing, it combines vibrant flavors and textures for a deliciously easy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Tuna
- 250 grams (about 8 ounces) pasta shells
- One can (about 400 grams, drained) canned tuna
Vegetables
- 200 grams (about 1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved
- One small red onion, finely chopped
- One medium cucumber, diced
- 100 grams (about 1/2 cup) black olives, sliced
Dressing
- 150 grams (about 2/3 cup) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta cooks, chop the red onion finely, dice the cucumber into small pieces, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the black olives.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, drained tuna, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and black olives. Gently toss to combine.
- Make the dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- Dress and chill: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a low-fat alternative.
- You can add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra flavor.
- Ensure the pasta is rinsed well with cold water to prevent it from sticking and to cool it quickly.
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored in the fridge; it tastes even better after resting.
- Adjust seasoning to your preference, especially the salt and pepper in the dressing.
