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The Best Easy Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad for Meal Prep

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy tuna pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, red onion, and celery.
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This is the classic, comforting tuna pasta salad recipe you need. It is quick to make, budget friendly, and perfect for packing as a high protein lunch or taking to your next potluck.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta or elbow macaroni
  • 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained well
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the 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, mustard, white vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth. This creates your creamy dressing.
  4. Pour the dressing mixture over the tuna and vegetable mixture. Mix gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Add the cooled, drained pasta to the bowl. Fold everything together carefully until the pasta is fully incorporated into the salad.
  6. If you are using peas, gently fold in the thawed peas now.
  7. Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Cover the bowl and chill the tuna pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.

Notes

  • For a high protein pasta salad boost, add one hard-boiled egg, chopped, to the mix.
  • To make this a light tuna pasta salad, replace half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • This recipe works well for make ahead lunch ideas; it keeps well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  • If you prefer a tangier flavor, add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the dressing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/tuna-pasta-salad-best-easy-creamy-recipe/