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Tuna Pasta Salad

A delicious and fresh salad made with pasta and tuna with a delicious mix of veggies! This Tuna Pasta Salad is perfect as a side dish or dinner!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barillaยฎ. The opinions and text are all mine.

Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe Cover image with Title text overlay

Isnโ€™t Motherโ€™s Day a super Special one? It is right? But arenโ€™t we mommies every day? I think so. So any moment we can spend as a mommy or with ours is priceless and I love spending time with my mom and my daughter.

As I mentioned in my previous recipe Spaghetti with San Marzano Tomato Meat Sauce, we love every now and then cooking together, especially my girl LOL. Today Iโ€™m sharing a super quick and easy recipe we made for Motherโ€™s Day: Tuna Pasta Salad.

Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

This recipe is ridiculously easy and I must confess I have had it as a main dish or a dinner LOL, why limit it to a side dish? Itโ€™s fresh, itโ€™s quick and itโ€™s pretty much super healthy!

We love tuna at home and Emma and I especially love pasta, and we prefer Barillaยฎ when it comes to a good pasta! You can find it pretty much in any supermarket, especially at Walmart.

Mom and I did this and some sautรฉed vegetables. Yummmm! We had a really good time and we laugh a lot at my Girlโ€™s crazy things and faces!

Grandmother and mother kissing girl

Then at the table we couldnโ€™t help but laugh at all the silly faces she made when she knew I was taking Pics. Sheโ€™s so crazy!

Family at the table enjoying mother's day with Tuna Pasta salad

How to make this Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad

Yummy Tuna Pasta salad recipe served

This cold Tuna Pasta Salad is easy to throw together and is always a hit with everyone at home. Simple but perfect, the dressing balances flavors perfectly.

This recipe is also very healthy and balanced since tuna it’s a great source of protein and contains omega-3 fatty acids that can help fight heart disease.

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So, here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

  • Barillaยฎ Penne pasta โ€“ Use a medium shape pasta like penne, rotini, or shells so the ridges grab the dressing!
  • Canned tuna โ€“ Choose tuna that is packed in water so it doesnโ€™t make the rest of the salad oily and drain it well.
  • Tomato chopped
  • Onion chopped
  • Red bell pepper chopped
  • Sweet corn โ€“ alternatively you can add peas
  • Mayonnaise
  • Cream cheese
  • Pepper
  • Optionally, fresh dill, celery, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.

IMG_6001

Directions:

  1. PLACE a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta al dente as directed on the package and let it cool.
  2. MIX mayo and cream cheese in a large bowl. Add in salt and pepper and finally add in the tuna.
  3. MIX pasta, onion, red pepper, tomato, sweet corn, and tuna dressing mixture.
  4. Let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours.
  5. Serve and enjoy
A close up of the Tuna Pasta salad served in a pretty dish
Tuna Pasta salad served in a dish on the table

So now itโ€™s your turn, I would love to know what you love to do with mothers and/or daughters, how do you enjoy your time together?

Storing and Leftover Tips

When making ahead, it can be made up to 24 hours in advance. But keep in mind that the pasta absorbs some of the dressing so you may want to consider making the salad the day before and not adding the dressing until right before serving.

Leftovers of this tuna pasta salad should be stored in the refrigerator and should be eaten within 3-4 days of making the salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Tuna to Buy

This recipe calls for tuna packed in water. If you buy tuna packed in oil, that will really change the flavor and consistency of this recipe making it oily.

Can you make this tuna pasta salad ahead?

Yes, it can be made up to 24 hours in advance. But keep in mind that the pasta absorbs some of the dressing so you may want to consider making the salad the day before and not adding the dressing until right before serving.

Do you cook the corn?

No. The corn goes into the recipe from the can (drained) or directly frozen if you prefer using frozen corn. They will thaw very quickly. Putting them in frozen helps them hold their texture and consistency.

More Savory Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this delicious tuna pasta salad recipe, you might also love these other savory recipes too:

๐Ÿฅฃ Recipe

Easy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Tuna Pasta Salad

Camila Rojas
A delicious and fresh salad made with pasta and tuna with a delicious mix of veggies! Tuna Pasta Salad is perfect as side dish or dinner!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Traditional
Servings 5

Ingredients
  

  • ยฝ box of Barillaยฎ Penne pasta
  • 2 cans of tuna in water.
  • 1 large Tomato chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • ยฝ cup of red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 small can of sweet corn
  • 3 tbsp of light mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp of cream cheese
  • salt and pepper.

Instructions
 

  • PLACE a pot of water to boil and cook pasta as directed on the package and let it cool.
  • MIX mayonnaise and cream cheese in a large bowl. Add in salt and pepper and finally add in the tuna.
  • MIX pasta, onion, red pepper, tomato, sweet corn, and tuna dressing.
  • Let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours.
  • Serve and enjoy

Notes

NOTE: Avoid using tuna in oli. It should always be tune in water.
Keyword pasta recipe, pasta salad, tuna pasta salad, tuna salad

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