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Summer Tuna Pasta Salad

Summer Tuna Pasta Salad
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Refreshing, flavorful, and effortlessly simple, this Summer Tuna Pasta Salad combines light tuna, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect for warm-weather meals, picnics, or casual lunches, it offers a balanced combination of textures and tastes that are quick to prepare and highly customizable for fresh, seasonal eating.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 200g bite-sized pasta shapes (fusilli, rotini, or macaroni)

Protein

  • 1 can (about 150g) high-quality canned tuna in water or olive oil, drained

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped

Dressing

  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion and fresh herbs. Place them together in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Drain and Flake the Tuna: Open the canned tuna, drain excess liquid, and flake the tuna with a fork into bite-sized pieces. Add the tuna to the bowl with the vegetables.
  4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
  5. Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the tuna and vegetable mixture. Drizzle the dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly to mix flavors evenly.
  6. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use al dente pasta to prevent a mushy salad.
  • Drain tuna well and flake gently to avoid sogginess.
  • Add fresh herbs last to keep their vibrant color and flavor.
  • Let the salad rest chilled for the best flavor infusion.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice or salt before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: tuna pasta salad, summer salad, quick lunch, healthy salad, picnic recipe, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://eazyummy.com/summer-tuna-pasta-salad/