Description
Creamy tuna pasta salad brings Mediterranean freshness to your summer table with zesty flavors and crisp vegetables. Cool pasta mingles with flaky tuna, creating a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6.7 ounces (190 grams) tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) whole wheat penne (or gluten-free penne)
- 2–3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 very ripe avocado
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil whole wheat penne in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then transfer to a spacious mixing vessel.
- Create a velvety dressing by combining ripe avocado, tangy Greek yogurt, fragrant dill, zesty lemon juice, sharp Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and a hint of chili flakes in a blender. Pulse until achieving a silky smooth consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Drizzle the luscious avocado dressing over cooled pasta, ensuring complete coverage. Incorporate crisp celery, sweet green peas, flaked tuna, and piquant red onion slices. Gently fold ingredients to distribute dressing evenly without breaking pasta or seafood.
- Artfully portion the salad into serving bowls. Enhance presentation by sprinkling additional fresh dill fronds on top. Enjoy immediately for optimal texture, or refrigerate for up to 48 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
Notes
- Boost creamy texture by using ripe, soft avocados that blend seamlessly into silky dressing.
- Replace tuna with chickpeas or shredded rotisserie chicken for flexible protein options perfect for vegetarians or meat lovers.
- Enhance flavor complexity by toasting whole wheat penne briefly before cooking to develop deeper nutty undertones.
- Extend refrigeration life by adding dressing just before serving, preventing pasta from becoming soggy and maintaining crisp vegetable crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 288 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg