Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad: Simple, Zesty & Quick (Print Version)

Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad is simple comfort food. Whip up this zesty, quick meal for a nostalgic lunch or easy weeknight dinner. So good!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Pescatarian

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Protein Base

01 - 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
02 - 2 (5 oz) cans tuna in water, drained very well

→ Creamy Dressing Essentials

03 - 1 cup mayonnaise
04 - 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

→ Flavor & Texture Boosters

06 - 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
07 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard

→ Finishing Touches

09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that pasta cooking! Grab a big pot, fill it with water, and don't forget to salt it generously—it should taste like the ocean, honestly. This is where I always forget to salt the water, and then my pasta tastes bland. Cook your elbow macaroni according to package directions, aiming for al dente. You want it tender but still with a slight bite, not mushy! Drain it well and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. This is crucial for a cold pasta salad!
02 - While the pasta is doing its thing, let’s get those veggies ready. Finely dice your celery and red onion. Remember my tip about soaking the red onion if you want to mellow it out? Do that now! Chop your fresh dill too. I love seeing all those vibrant colors come together; it just screams fresh. This step is pretty straightforward, but a sharp knife makes all the difference, trust me. I once tried to dice celery with a dull knife, and it was a real struggle, almost a kitchen disaster!
03 - Now for the magic: the dressing! In a large bowl, whisk together your mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Give it a good whisk until it's super smooth and creamy. This is the heart of our Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad, so make sure it's tasting good. I always give it a little taste test here and adjust the seasoning. Sometimes I add a tiny bit more relish if I’m feeling extra tangy. Don't be afraid to make it your own!
04 - Next up, add the drained tuna, diced celery, and red onion to your creamy dressing. Use a fork to gently flake the tuna into smaller pieces, but don't pulverize it—we want some texture! Then, gently fold everything together until it's well combined. This is where the colors really start to pop and the smells begin to merge. You'll start to get that classic Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad aroma that just screams comfort. Be gentle, we don't want to smash the tuna too much.
05 - Now, introduce the cooled pasta to the mixture. Gently fold it in, making sure every single elbow macaroni is coated in that delicious, creamy dressing. This part always feels satisfying, seeing it all come together. Sometimes I get a little messy here, and a rogue elbow might escape, but that's just part of the process, right? Make sure everything is evenly distributed so every bite of your Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad is packed with flavor. Don't rush this step!
06 - Finally, stir in your fresh chopped dill. Give your Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad one last gentle mix. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour. Chilling allows all those flavors to meld and deepen—it’s a game-changer, honestly. The pasta really absorbs the dressing, making it even creamier. Before serving, give it a quick stir and a final taste test, adjusting salt or pepper if needed. It should look vibrant, smell fresh, and taste like pure nostalgia!

# Notes:

01 - Always salt your pasta water generously; it makes a huge difference in flavor.
02 - For best results, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
03 - If you don't have red onion, finely minced yellow onion or even chives can work.
04 - Serve with some crusty bread for scooping up every last bit of that creamy goodness.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - colander
03 - large mixing bowl
04 - whisk
05 - sharp knife
06 - cutting board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 18g

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