This chilled tuna pasta salad with pasta, celery, red onions, peas, mayo, fresh dill and lemon juice is a classic, family favorite side dish. Bring it to your next cookout or potluck, or enjoy it as quick and tasty lunch.
Today we’re making the classic chilled tuna pasta salad with tons of vibrant, fresh flavors and textures. Skip the store-bought pasta salad and make your own with simple pantry ingredients like rotini, shell or macaroni pasta, canned tuna, fresh celery, red onions and dill, peas, mayonnaise and a splash of lemon juice.
There are plenty of ways to customize it and add even more flavor or bite with some mustard, sweet pickle relish, or plain relish. For more salad ideas, try my version of the best creamy potato salad, the bold-tasting bacon ranch pasta salad, a warm bacon-drenched German potato salad, a chunky chicken salad, or the vibrant Italian pasta salad and bring them to your next BBQ, potluck, picnic, or party. Let’s start cooking.
Ingredients in Tuna Pasta Salad
TUNA PASTA SALAD RECIPE TIPS
Pasta – I used rotini pasta but you can also use shells or macaroni. My pasta came in 16 oz. box but a 12 oz. box of pasta will also work. It all depends on how your favorite or preferred brand packages its pasta.
Celery – If you don’t have fresh celery, substitute it with a dash or two of celery seed.
Peas – I warmed up the frozen peas in the microwave but you can also toss them in with the pasta water towards the last minute of cooking then drain them out. If you don’t have frozen peas, try substituting them with a 15oz. can of drained sweet peas.
Mayonnaise – Try using half mayo and half Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
Sugar – I added a little bit of sugar to balance out the taste. You can skip this if you prefer a more tangy pasta salad.
Herbs – I used dill but other herbs work just as well, like parsley or thyme.
Storing – The pasta salad should keep well for 3-5 days in the fridge. It might lose some creaminess sitting in the fridge over time, so add a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise and mix it up before serving.
Customize It!
- Add some bite – Add some bite with some mustard. One tablespoon or so should be enough.
- Add more flavor – Add more flavor with some sweet pickle relish or regular relish.
And that’s about it. Enjoy your pasta salad and let me know how you liked it and what you paired it with in the comments below. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on August 23, 2013 and updated on May 21, 2021.
MORE SALAD RECIPES TO TRY
- Italian Pasta Salad
- The Best Creamy Potato Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- German Potato Salad
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Tuna Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Description
This chilled tuna pasta salad with pasta, celery, red onions, peas, mayo, fresh dill and lemon juice is a classic, family favorite side dish.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. rotini/shell/macaroni pasta, cooked al dente, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12 oz.) can albacore white tuna in water, drained
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, diced
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Warm up the peas by adding 2 tablespoons of water to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
- Add tuna, celery, red onion, peas, and pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add in mayonnaise, lemon juice, thyme, sugar and salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir gently to combine and mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and serve chilled.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Add some bite – Add some bite with some mustard.
- Add more flavor – Add more flavor with some sweet pickle relish or regular relish.
- Scroll up to RECIPE TIPS for more useful tips, suggestions and ingredient substitutions.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Comments & Reviews
This was super delicious and will become one of my go-to quick lunches 🙂 the only thing I added was tarragon! I love your recipes and finally had the time to leave reviews 🙂 Keep your delicious and easy ones coming!
Thank you for being the first to leave a review on this recipe, Jyl! I’ve been making this particular recipe for close to two decades now and it never disappoints. I’ll have to try tarragon one day. I just noticed you’ve been following and commenting on my recipes since 2015! Wow, thank you for coming back and trying out my recipes over the years and for sticking around ❤️ It makes me happy!!!