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?
Super easy, but I’m not a fan of Miracle Whip—tasted too sweet to me. Next time I’ll swap for regular mayo or Greek yogurt.
Totally fair—Miracle Whip can be pretty sweet. Greek yogurt or mayo both sound like great swaps; I’ll try that next time.
This tuna salad is so refreshing! Perfect for the summer days.
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about Miracle Whip in tuna salad, but the recipe is simple enough to try. Mine turned out creamy and not too sweet.
Super easy and very filling. I added hard-boiled eggs like suggested and it turned out way better than my usual tuna sandwich.
meh.
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?
I don’t usually like pasta salads with fish, but this surprised me. Rinsing with cold water is key. Next time I’ll chop the tuna smaller.
This sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it on a hot day.
I forgot to refrigerate it long enough and ate it kinda warm… it was fine but not the vibe. If you follow the cooling step it probably shines.
Be honest, Miracle Whip + cheese + tuna feels like a dare lol. I tried it anyway and now I’m mad I waited so long. Weirdly addicting.
Simple. Tasty.
Simple and honestly sounds perfect for a hot day—cold pasta + tuna + Miracle Whip is a combo I can get behind. I might toss in some diced celery too, but great idea with the ice cubes!
Is Miracle Whip really necessary? I feel like mayo or Greek yogurt would taste better… also cheese and tuna together seems a little weird, no offense. But hey if it works for you!
This seems kind of bland to me. Tuna + cheese + dill is okay, but I’d add celery or pickles for more crunch and tang.
Bro, compari tomatoes? and lemonade? Sounds like a weird Pinterest salad. I mean… it probably tastes fine, but I’d swap dill for something else.
lol I get what you mean—Combining cold tuna + herbs can sound like a weird Pinterest move 😅 But the Compari tomatoes + dill actually cut the richness. I’ve tried it and it’s pretty refreshing, especially with lemonade.
Idk, Miracle Whip with dill sounds kinda gross to me. Why not use mayo and skip the herb? Also those Compari tomatoes… never heard of it. Could be a typo? I’d rather add lemon juice than lemonade.
I don’t get it. Why would you put ice cubes in a salad? That sounds weird.
I followed everything and it still tasted “flat” to me. Maybe I should’ve used fresh dill instead of dried. The tuna was fine, but I wanted more zing.
Honestly, tuna + cheese + pasta feels weird. I tried it anyway and it was edible, but I wouldn’t make it again unless I was desperate.
Totally get the “weird” combo feeling, but I think the Miracle Whip + cheese kind of brings it together. I’m with you on not making it every week though—only when it’s hot and I need something quick.
I added ice cubes like the recipe says and it cooled fast, but I swear the pasta got a bit weirdly firm. Maybe I used too much ice? Tasted good though.
I tried it but I’m not sold. The Miracle Whip flavor + dill was too strong for me, and the tuna felt a little dry even though I drained it.
Easy peasy to make! I added some cherry tomatoes and it was really good.