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I keep a few cans of tuna in my pantry for days when I need to get a meal together quickly. A tuna pasta salad is my favorite solution—it’s affordable, requires very little cooking, and is easy to adapt with what I already have on hand.
I make these for simple lunches, light dinners, or to take along to a gathering. Here are 17 tuna pasta salad recipes I make often.
They are straightforward, satisfying, and don’t require any complicated steps.
1. Classic Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad
Elbow macaroni and solid white tuna mixed with peas, diced celery, and red onion in a creamy mayonnaise dressing. This is the traditional version I grew up with, and it’s still my comfort food favorite.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 42g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
Click here to get the full recipe
2. Lemon Dill Tuna Pasta Salad
Rotini pasta and tuna tossed with a light dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, and plenty of fresh dill. I add chopped cucumber for a fresh, crunchy texture. It tastes bright and clean.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
Click here to get the full recipe
3. Tuna Salad with Eggs & Pickles
Shell pasta, tuna, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and dill pickles in a simple mayo and mustard dressing. The pickles and eggs make it feel like a hearty, old-fashioned deli salad.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 400
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fat: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
Click here to get the full recipe
4. Italian Tuna Pasta Salad
Tri-color rotini with tuna, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and red onion in a zesty Italian vinaigrette. It’s a lighter, tangier option that’s great for warmer days.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
Click here to get the full recipe
5. Tuna & Rice Salad
Instead of pasta, this uses chilled white rice mixed with tuna, peas, and a squeeze of lemon. It’s a different take that’s just as easy and works well for gluten-free meals.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 19g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
Click here to get the full recipe
6. Spicy Sriracha Tuna Pasta Salad
Elbow macaroni and tuna with a creamy, spicy dressing made from mayonnaise and sriracha. I toss in some corn and scallions to balance the heat. It’s for when I want something with a kick.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 41g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
Click here to get the full recipe
7. Tuna Macaroni Salad with Peas
A minimalist version with just macaroni, tuna, sweet peas, and a creamy dressing. Sometimes the simplest combination is the one I want most.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 44g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
Click here to get the full recipe
8. Greek Tuna Pasta Salad
Orecchette pasta with tuna, chopped cucumber, tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. A lemon and oregano vinaigrette ties all the Mediterranean flavors together.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 42g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
Click here to get the full recipe
9. Tuna & Bean Pasta Salad
Pasta shells with tuna and canned cannellini beans, dressed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and parsley. It’s extra filling and packed with protein and fiber.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 400
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 52g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 9g
Click here to get the full recipe
10. Tuna Salad with Apples & Walnuts
Bowtie pasta with tuna, diced apple, celery, and toasted walnuts in a light yogurt-based dressing. The sweet apple and crunchy walnuts make it interesting.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 46g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 5g
Click here to get the full recipe
11. Ranch Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuna and rotini pasta with diced celery, carrots, and red onion coated in a creamy ranch dressing. It’s a flavor my family always enjoys.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
Click here to get the full recipe
12. Tuna Pasta Salad with Olives & Artichokes
Fusilli pasta with tuna, sliced green olives, and marinated artichoke hearts. The brine from the jar gives the dressing a nice tang without much extra work.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 43g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 5g
Click here to get the full recipe
13. Curry Tuna Pasta Salad
A warm-spiced twist: pasta and tuna with peas and raisins in a creamy curry powder dressing. It’s a nice change from the usual herbs and spices.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fat: 13g
- Fiber: 4g
Click here to get the full recipe
14. Tuna & Sweet Corn Pasta Salad
Pasta, tuna, and sweet corn kernels with a simple mayonnaise and lemon juice dressing. The corn adds a nice pop of sweetness and color.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 4g
Click here to get the full recipe
15. Tuna Salad with Bell Peppers & Onion
A colorful mix of tuna, tri-color pasta, diced bell peppers, and red onion in a light vinaigrette. It’s crunchy, fresh, and very easy to look at.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 330
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 46g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 4g
Click here to get the full recipe
16. Creamy Dill Pickle Tuna Salad
Tuna and macaroni with plenty of chopped dill pickles, using some of the pickle juice in the mayonnaise dressing. It’s extra tangy and flavorful.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fat: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
Click here to get the full recipe
17. Tuna & Pesto Pasta Salad
Tuna and corkscrew pasta simply tossed with a few spoonfuls of prepared basil pesto. It’s a two-ingredient dressing that makes the salad taste special with almost no effort.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 23g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fat: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
