Cold Tuna Salad Pasta is the ultimate no-fuss meal that’s perfect for hot days, picnics, or quick lunches. It combines the creaminess of a traditional tuna salad with the satisfying bite of pasta, creating a dish that’s light, refreshing, and full of flavor. Whether you’re packing it for a lunchbox, serving it as a side dish, or enjoying it as a light dinner, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.
At its core, Cold Tuna Salad Pasta is all about simplicity. You start with al dente pasta, which is the perfect base for absorbing all the flavors. Add in canned tuna, which provides a savory, protein-packed element, and then toss everything together with crunchy vegetables like celery, onion, and bell peppers for texture and freshness.
The dressing is where the magic happens. A classic combination of mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a touch of mustard or olive oil creates a creamy yet tangy coating that binds everything together. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise for a tangier and healthier twist.
Feel free to get creative with your additions. Some might add hard-boiled eggs for extra protein, capers for a briny punch, or even fresh herbs like parsley or dill for brightness. The beauty of Cold Tuna Salad Pasta is its versatility, it’s easy to make it your own.
This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for several hours or even a day, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. Serve it chilled, and you’ve got a meal that’s not only satisfying but also incredibly easy to prepare.
Whether it’s a quick weeknight meal or a potluck favorite, Cold Tuna Salad Pasta is a delicious, effortless option that’s perfect for any occasion.
This recipe is made by Lori A. Terkeurst.
Ingredients
- 1 can tuna
- Cheese shredded or cubed
- Miracle Whip
- Green onions sliced
- dill fresh or dried
- pasta of your choice – I like shells
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions on box.
- Drain in colander and rinse with cold water.
- This is a cold salad for a hot day, so you can even add some ice cubes to speed the cooling.
- Add tuna(drained) and mix well.
- Add green onions and cheese of your choice.
- Add Miracle Whip and then dill to your choice of flavor.
- Cool in refrigerator until time for dinner.
- I like to garnish with quartered Compari tomatoes and sliced hard boiled eggs.
- Great on a day that feels too hot to eat! I like to serve with lemonade or iced ginger ale. Enjoy!
- Keep leftovers in frig and add additional Miracle Whip to taste (if there are any leftovers!) Bon Appetit!
Tuna salad? I don’t like fish. But this looks nice.
I get it! Fish isn’t for everyone, but maybe you can try it without the tuna? Just the pasta and veggies sound good too!
Yuk! Can’t imagine eating that stuff. But I guess you can always change the tuna for chicken or something else?
This tuna salad is so refreshing! Perfect for the summer days.
Lori, why do you add ice cubes? Sounds weird and not necessary.
I think the ice cubes are a good idea! It makes sense to chill the salad faster on a hot day. Plus, who doesn’t love cold food when it’s blazing outside?
This sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it on a hot day.
I don’t get it. Why would you put ice cubes in a salad? That sounds weird.
Easy peasy to make! I added some cherry tomatoes and it was really good.
I made it exactly like the recipe, but added celery for some crunch. It was yum!
So simple! I never thought of adding dill to tuna salad. Gonna make it again!
This is super easy and refreshing! Perfect for summer.
I made this for a picnic last weekend and everyone loved it! So easy to prepare.
I don’t get why you would want to add ice cubes. Isn’t that kinda weird? But I guess to each their own.
I followed the recipe, but the pasta got all soggy. Not sure if I did somethin wrong.
Tuna salad is good for summer! But where’s the pickles? 😂
Is it really a salad if it’s pasta? 🤔
Pasta salad is still a salad! It’s all about the ingredients! 🍝🥗
As a vegan, I couldn’t try this but it sounds delish!
My kids loved this! They usually don’t eat tuna but this was a hit!
I don’t like cooking, so this is perfect for me. Easy peasy!
Tuna salad? I dunno, tuna kinda smells weird, right? Maybe I’ll try it but I’m not super excited.
This sounds so easy! I usually avoid cooking, but this might be my go-to recipe now. Thanks!
I don’t know about the Miracle Whip. Can’t you just use mayo? Seems weird.
I think Miracle Whip gives it that nice tangy flavor that mayo just can’t match! It’s kinda the secret ingredient. 😄
I don’t like Miracle Whip, can I use mayo instead? 🤔
Yeah, mayo is great! Just don’t put too much or it’ll taste weird. 😅
I dunno, mayo just ain’t the same. Miracle Whip got its own flavor, you know? 🤷♂️
Made this for my picnic and everyone loved it! Will make again.
Not so sure about the Miracle Whip… I prefer mayo. 😬
Doesn’t sound filling enough. Where’s the meat?? 👀
Wow, easy recipe!!! My kids ate it all up, even the green onions!
Why put ice cubes in salad? Sounds gross.
Yum! I added avocado instead of cheese. So good! 😋
This was a hit at my potluck! Everyone wanted the recipe.
Cold salad and hot day? Genius! Do you think it would taste good with shrimp too?
Yum! But I think it’s too much Miracle Whip, ill use less next time.