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A flavorful Tuna Pasta Salad in a speckled bowl, packed with penne pasta, tender tuna, crisp cucumber, and halved cherry tomatoes.
Layla

Classic Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Salad

This vibrant and refreshing Tuna Pasta Salad is packed with flaky tuna, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-dill dressing, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz rotini pasta or other small pasta shape, cooked according to package directions and cooled
  • 1 tbsp olive oil optional, for tossing pasta
For the Tuna & Vegetables
  • 2 cans albacore tuna (5 oz each) in water, drained well and flaked
  • 1 cup celery finely diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper (any color), finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped
For the Creamy Lemon-Dill Dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Colander
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's Knife

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool down. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil (optional) to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool completely.
Prepare the Tuna & Vegetables
  1. While the pasta is cooking and cooling, drain the canned tuna thoroughly and flake it into small pieces. Dice the celery, red onion, and bell pepper into small, uniform pieces. Chop the fresh parsley and dill.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Combine Ingredients
  1. Add the flaked tuna, diced celery, red onion, bell pepper, chopped parsley, and chopped dill to the large mixing bowl with the cooled pasta.
Dress the Salad
  1. Pour the creamy lemon-dill dressing over the pasta and tuna mixture. Gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Chill and Serve
  1. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Tuna Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 1-2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld. Stir well before serving.

Notes

For an extra tang, add 1/4 cup of chopped briny olives or capers. You can also add chopped hard-boiled eggs for more protein. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.