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Creamy tuna pasta toss served in a bowl, garnished with parsley.

Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad

A delightful blend of creamy, juicy, and crunchy textures, this creamy tuna pasta salad is perfect for family gatherings and casual outings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Tuna
  • 1 lb 1 lb (500g) pasta Fusilli or any short pasta shape
  • 3 cans 3 (6 oz) cans of tuna Ensure drained properly
Vegetables
  • 1 medium 1 medium onion Finely chopped
  • 2 medium 2 medium cucumbers Persian or English cucumbers work well
  • 2 stalks 2 celery stalks Finely sliced
Dressing
  • ¾ cup ¾ cup mayonnaise Forms the base of the dressing
  • ½ cup ½ cup Greek yogurt Lightens the dish
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp chopped chives Adds a hint of freshness
  • 4 tsp 4 tsp fresh lemon juice Brightens flavors
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp sugar Rounds out acidity
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp salt Essential for flavor
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp pepper Adds warm spice

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, chopped chives, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if you like.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until it’s al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it under cold water.
  3. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the prepared dressing. Drain the tuna and add it to the pasta along with the chopped onion, cucumber, and celery.
  4. Gently toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the dressing and all ingredients are evenly distributed. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serving
  1. You can either serve your creamy tuna pasta salad immediately or cover it tightly and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. It often tastes even better after chilling.

Notes

Tips and tricks: For crunch, consider adding peas or bell peppers. For heat, add a dash of hot sauce or diced jalapeños. Experiment with fresh herbs like dill or parsley.