This creamy tuna pasta salad recipe is perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, BBQs, or picnics. It's fast and easy to make!
This pasta salad could either be a side dish or a main course... whichever you choose is fine.
I recently made a healthy tuna pasta salad with a vinaigrette dressing, and this is the slightly different version with a creamy dressing. Depending on your mood, you could make either... or try both and see which you prefer.
Tuna is so versatile. It's one of my favorite ingredients to make quick meals with. My easy canned tuna pasta is a reader favorite. It's inexpensive, has lots of protein, and it's just plain tasty.
The tuna pasta salad dressing is basically a quick homemade ranch. It's cooling, refreshing, and slightly tangy. The dill adds a nice flavor that's great with the tuna and cucumber. I used dried dill, but feel free to use fresh (e.g. if you have some in your garden).
This is the perfect easy summer dish to enjoy on the patio with a glass of white wine! 🙂
I chose macaroni for the pasta, but like I always say, it's fine to use a different kind of pasta. If you do opt for something different, I'd measure out 3 cups of uncooked pasta. Something about macaroni just makes it multiply when cooked haha. Also, feel free to swap out any ingredients you don't have/don't like and/or play with the quantities. I don't think you can go wrong with pasta salad. 🙂
You may also like...
- Easy Tuna Salad Recipe
- Canned Salmon Pasta
- Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Canned Salmon Salad
- Shrimp Pasta Salad
Will you give this creamy tuna macaroni salad a try? Let me know if you make this for your next backyard BBQ! Questions? Ask me in the comments below.
Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups uncooked macaroni
- 1 (6 ounce) can tuna drained
- 2 tablespoons red onion chopped
- 1 cup little tomatoes halved
- 2 sticks celery chopped small
- 1 mini cucumber (or 1/4 English cucumber) chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or use fresh
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil a large, salted pot of water for the macaroni. Cook it al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, get everything else ready. I like to make the dressing first. Combine all the dressing ingredients until smooth and set it aside. Prep the other ingredients and add them to a large bowl.
- Once the pasta is done, rinse it under cold water and let it drain thoroughly. Toss with the dressing and other ingredients. Season with salt & pepper as needed (I found this recipe needed quite a bit of salt - it's a lot of pasta). You can serve this pasta salad right away or let it chill (covered) first for the flavors to meld more.
Notes
- If you use a different shape pasta than macaroni, I suggest making 3 cups (e.g. if you use bows).
- I didn't put long for prep because you can prep while the pasta is cooking, so I just count it in there.
- As with any pasta salad, feel free to add more/less of any ingredient to make it perfect for your tastes.
MJ says
This recipe was so delicious! Oh my goodness. It was a hit even for my toddler! I didn’t realize how much we’d love it so next time I’ll be doubling the recipe. Definitely a meal repeat in our family!
Natasha says
I'm thrilled to hear that, MJ!! Thanks so much for your kind review!
Sarah says
I made this tonight and added capers and a Calabrian chili paste…definitely will make again!
Natasha says
Awesome!!
Karen Ogle says
This is the second time making it.
I am now taking it to a large pot luck get together.
I am sure I will be sharing this. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Absolutely delicious.
Natasha says
Fantastic!! 🙂 So happy it's a hit.
Kathy says
Is there anything else I could substitute for the tomatoes, I'm very allergic?
Natasha says
Hi Kathy! You can just leave them out or swap for whatever other veggies you like. It's a very flexible recipe. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Christelle says
Great recipe (as usual)!
I had to to modify the recipe a bit since I didn’t put sour cream (dairy allergy) so I put 3/4 mayonnaise added roasted garlic powder instead or regular garlic powder and I added a tbsp of capers.
It taste pretty good. Do you think adding anchovies or anchovy paste might be a good idea too?
Natasha says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I love anchovies and anchovy paste. A little goes a long way, but I think it would work in here!
Stephanie says
I bumped up the seasonings for my own personal taste but this was really good! Really well rounded lunch/dinner 🙂
Natasha says
Awesome!! Thanks for commenting!
Denisse V says
I made this the other day. Amazing and will make again! Thank you for the recipe!
Natasha says
Wonderful!! Thank you for letting me know!!
Jennifer Gilmour says
What's the vinaigrette dressing recipe that you also suggested?
Thank you!!
Natasha says
Hi Jennifer! Do you mean my healthy tuna pasta salad that I talk about in the top of the blog post? It's linked up there, but I can try to put the link here too: https://www.saltandlavender.com/healthy-tuna-pasta-salad/
B says
Thanks for this lovely recipe; it looks and sounds delicious...I'm going to try it soon!
Natasha says
Let me know if you like it 🙂