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Classic Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad with Peas and Celery

A close-up of creamy Tuna Pasta Salad featuring fusilli pasta, green peas, and diced red onion on a white plate.
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This recipe delivers a classic, creamy tuna pasta salad featuring tender pasta, flaky tuna, crisp vegetables, and a rich dressing. It is a simple, satisfying dish perfect for quick dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
  • 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained well
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the drained tuna, thawed peas, chopped celery, and chopped red onion.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. This creates your creamy dressing.
  4. Pour the dressing over the tuna and vegetable mixture. Add the chopped fresh dill, if using.
  5. Gently fold all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Cover the bowl and chill the tuna pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.

Notes

  • For a high protein pasta salad, use protein-enriched pasta or add one hard-boiled egg, chopped, to the mix.
  • If you prefer a lighter pasta salad, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • This make ahead salad tastes best when prepared a few hours in advance.
  • To make this a budget friendly meal, use store brand mayonnaise and tuna.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://gourmetgaze.com/tuna-pasta-salad-recipe-classic-creamy/