Easy Tuna Pasta Salad

Inspiration for Easy Tuna Pasta Salad

I’m always looking for new ways to eat canned tuna. Many people keep the shelf-stable food in their pantry. It’s packed with protein and can be whipped into a quick meal anytime of day. During one of my home-alone quarantines, I took a peek in the cupboard and saw canned tuna and pasta that I had squirreled away. That’s when I first made an easy tuna pasta salad.

In that situation, I was limited by the ingredients that I had on hand. For this recipe, I really wanted to add some flavor and freshness to it. It’s still incredibly easy to make, and a lot more tasty than my first go at it.

Keep reading for ingredient swaps, the recipe and other suggested recipes.

Ingredients and Optional Add Ins

I have a few notes on the ingredients for this recipe. First of all, the Miracle Whip. You can easily swap the Miracle Whip with your favorite mayonnaise.

Side note: Did you know that technically speaking, Miracle Whip is not mayonnaise?! According to Taste of Home, mayonnaise needs to contain 65% vegetable oil to actually be mayonnaise. Miracle Whip is classified as a dressing. It tastes sweeter and has more spices. My mom was the one who recommended it for this recipe. She says the tang and sweetness of Miracle Whip adds the best flavor for any creamy salad recipe.

Next, I wanted to say that if you really like sweetness and the Miracle Whip isn’t enough, or you use regular mayo and need a sweet kick, try adding some relish. Many people use relish in their tuna sandwiches for that sweetness and slight change of texture. It also works here.

Finally, I recommend topping your salad with fresh dill. It’s completely optional but adds some nice flavor and looks good as a garnish, too.

Easy Tuna Pasta Salad

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This is a delicious and easy salad that will be perfect for the next family gathering!

• Author: Erica Apana, Style Preservation
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20
• Total Time: 20
• Category: salad
• Cuisine: Pescatarian

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb of pasta (I used fusilli, but rotini and farfalle are also great options)
• 2 12 oz cans of tuna in oil drained
• 1 cup of Miracle Whip
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1/2 a medium onion diced
• 1 2.25 oz can of black olives drained
• salt and pepper
• fresh dill

Instructions

1. Cook your pasta according to the package and let it cool. You can put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour, or leave it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble your salad. 
2. Put the pasta in a large bowl and gently mix in the rest of the ingredients.
3. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Option to garnish with fresh dill.
5. Put your tuna pasta salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve. 

Notes

Feel free to substitute Miracle Whip with your favorite mayonnaise. Also, add relish for some added sweetness. 

Keywords: tuna pasta salad, salad, pescatarian

Looking for more salad recipes? Check out the Strawberry Macadamia Nut Salad or Somen Watercress Salad.

Mahalo to Foodland Kahala MKT. for sponsoring the ingredients for this post. Check out their Foodland 5 Recipes for more recipe ideas.

About Author

Erica Apana, Style Preservation

Aloha! Thank you for stopping by. If you’re looking for uncomplicated, pescatarian-friendly food, I’m your girl. I also love surrounding myself with lots and lots of plants…to eat and to grow! When I don’t feel like cooking, I check out one of the many local eateries here on O’ahu. Can’t wait to share all my favorite people, places, and foods with you!

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