Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad: Quick Weeknight Delight (Print Version)

Whip up this simple Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad for a fast, flavorful meal. Packed with tender pasta and rich tuna, it’s a family favorite.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Pescatarian

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Protein Base

01 - 1 pound elbow macaroni
02 - 2 (5 ounce) cans solid white albacore tuna, drained

→ Creamy Dressing Essentials

03 - 1 cup mayonnaise
04 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

→ Fresh Flavor Boosters

08 - 1 cup celery, finely diced
09 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

→ Optional Add-ins

10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
11 - 1/4 cup frozen peas, thawed

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that pasta cooking! Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. I mean, it should taste like the ocean, seriously. Add your elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. This is where I always forget to salt the water properly, leading to bland pasta – oops! You want it tender but still with a slight bite, not mushy. Drain it well, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, and drain again. This step is crucial for a non-clumpy Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad.
02 - While the pasta is chilling, let's get the tuna and veggies ready. Open those cans of tuna, drain them thoroughly—I mean, press out that liquid! Flake the tuna into a large bowl. Then, dice your celery and red onion really finely. Nobody wants huge chunks of onion dominating their bite, right? This is where I often get a little messy, with celery bits flying everywhere, but it's all part of the process for a truly wonderful Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad.
03 - In a separate medium bowl, it's dressing time! Combine your mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and that lovely fresh lemon juice. Whisk it all together until it's smooth and creamy. Season with a good pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Taste it! Does it need more tang? A bit more salt? This is your moment to adjust it to your liking. I often add a little extra pepper because I love that kick—don't be afraid to experiment!
04 - Now for the magic! Add the cooled, drained pasta, the flaked tuna, diced celery, and red onion to the bowl with your creamy dressing. Gently fold everything together until all the pasta and tuna are beautifully coated. You want every piece to be enveloped in that luscious dressing. I once just dumped it all in and stirred like a madwoman; it ended up a bit of a chaotic mess, so take your time here!
05 - This step is non-negotiable for a truly delicious Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad. Cover the bowl tightly and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour. The chilling time allows all those amazing flavors to meld and deepen, making it taste so much better. I've been impatient and eaten it right away, and while good, it's just not the same, believe me!
06 - Before serving, give your Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad another gentle stir. You might want to do a quick taste test and adjust the seasoning one last time—sometimes the flavors mellow out in the fridge. Spoon it into bowls, garnish with some fresh parsley if you're feeling fancy, and enjoy! It should look wonderfully creamy, smell fresh and inviting, and taste like pure comfort. This is where all your kitchen efforts pay off, truly!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook the pasta, hon! It gets mushy, and nobody wants that in their Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad.
02 - This Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch!
03 - Tried Greek yogurt instead of mayo once for a lighter Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad. It worked, but it's tangier, just a heads-up.
04 - Serve your Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad chilled with some crusty bread for scooping up all that creamy goodness.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - colander
03 - mixing bowls
04 - whisk
05 - cutting board
06 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 20g

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