Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
This creamy tuna pasta salad is a refreshing and hearty dish perfect for summer lunches or potlucks. Featuring tender macaroni, protein-rich tuna, and a medley of fresh vegetables, it’s tossed in a tangy mayo and sour cream dressing with hints of lemon, dill, and garlic. Easy to prepare and versatile, this salad can be served immediately or chilled to deepen its flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2.5 cups uncooked macaroni
Salad Ingredients
- 1 (6 ounce) can tuna, drained
- 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
- 1 cup little tomatoes, halved
- 2 sticks celery, chopped small
- 1 mini cucumber (or 1/4 English cucumber), chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the macaroni and cook al dente according to the package instructions, typically about 7-9 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the dressing: While pasta cooks, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, fresh dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy, then set aside.
- Prep the vegetables and tuna: Chop the red onion, little tomatoes, celery, cucumber, red bell pepper, and parsley. Flake the drained tuna with a fork and add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine and season: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with vegetables and tuna. Pour the dressing on top. Toss everything gently until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve or chill: You can serve the salad immediately for a fresh flavor or cover and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
- Fresh dill is key for the classic flavor, but dried dill can be used in a pinch, reducing the quantity to 1 teaspoon.
- Use mini or grape tomatoes for a burst of sweetness and to keep the salad colorful.
- Rinsing the cooked pasta under cold water helps cool it quickly and prevents sticking.
- Adjust salt carefully as pasta absorbs flavors and can require more seasoning.
- This salad holds well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it a great make-ahead dish.
Keywords: tuna pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, tuna salad with veggies, easy pasta salad, summer salad, picnic recipe
Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/creamy-tuna-pasta-salad-recipe/
