Tuna Pasta Salad

By Lidey Heuck

Published May 12, 2025

Tuna Pasta Salad
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
5(820)
Comments
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A pasta for tuna salad lovers, this recipe combines elements of a classic deli-style tuna salad with pasta, peas and fresh green herbs. It makes for a hearty picnic side dish or lunch, and keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, making it ideal for start-of-the-week meal prep. Chopped celery and red onion add crunch and color, and the tangy Greek yogurt dressing, flavored with lemon juice, mustard and garlic, comes together right in the serving bowl. Any small pasta shape works well here; just be sure to run the cooked pasta under cold water to cool it down before tossing with the dressing.

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Ingredients

Yield:8 to 10 servings
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
  • 1pound short pasta, such as small shells or elbow macaroni 
  • ½cup mayonnaise
  • ½cup plain Greek yogurt (at least 2 percent fat)
  • 2tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1teaspoon Dijon mustard 
  • ½teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1(7-ounce) can or jar tuna, drained
  • 1cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1cup small-diced celery (1 to 2 celery ribs)
  • ½cup chopped red onion
  • ¼cup finely chopped fresh dill or parsley, plus more for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (10 servings)

295 calories; 11 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 6 grams polyunsaturated fat; 38 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 12 grams protein; 286 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the directions on the package, then drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain well.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add the cooled, drained pasta and toss well.

  3. Step 3

    Add the tuna, peas, celery, red onion and dill and toss again.

  4. Step 4

    Add more salt and pepper to taste, garnish with additional fresh dill and serve. Tuna pasta salad will keep for up to 3 days, covered and refrigerated.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
820 user ratings
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Comments

Lisa Beers

I used albacore packed in water, added some thinly sliced radish for color and crunch, used LOTS of salt and pepper and a spoon of dill relish for added zest. Good salad better on day 2!

Mel

This is very much like why I’ve been making for years (using canned tuna). I prefer water packed tuna and I strain the liquid into the dressing. Why waste the flavor, and it keeps the salad from drying out as quickly.

Rachel

So I didn't add the yogurt or the lemon and I added a tsp of curry powder. It was amazing!!!

Joy

been making my mother's recipe for tuna macaroni salad for decades. My favorite hot summer day lunch or dinner meal. Going to try your dressing next time I make it.

Cindy

My mom’s been making this for decades, but with Hellmann’s not greek yogurt. A summer staple in our house.

Joy

same here except now I have been making it for decades!!!

Marcie M.

Easy, pleasant pasta salad. Halved everything as there are inly two of us. Added a healthy tablespoon and a half to kick up the flavor. Did the trick! Strongly recommend the addition(I always add some to my tuna salad). When adding the salt, used onion salt, which further enhanced the flavor.

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