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A close-up shot of the tuna macaroni salad, showing the texture of the pasta, flakes of tuna, and pieces of celery and red onion in a creamy dressing.

Tuna Pasta Salad (The Best Creamy Recipe!)

This is the best Tuna Pasta Salad recipe! It's perfectly creamy, packed with fresh flavor from celery and dill, and incredibly easy to make. The perfect dish for a quick lunch, dinner, or potluck.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz short pasta such as macaroni, rotini, or small shells
  • 10 oz canned tuna two 5 oz cans, drained well
  • 2 stalks celery finely diced
  • 0.5 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 1 cup mayonnaise use a good quality brand
  • 0.25 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground, or to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Colander

Instructions
 

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Combine: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, drained and flaked tuna, diced celery, diced red onion, and thawed peas.
  4. Mix and Chill: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir gently until everything is evenly coated. For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Make-Ahead: The salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance. If it seems dry after chilling, stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise before serving to restore creaminess.
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