Description
Discover the ultimate refreshing Quick Summer Tuna Pasta Salad — a light, flavorful, and protein‑packed dish perfect for warm days. Packed with tender tuna, crisp veggies, and a zesty lemon‑olive oil dressing, this easy recipe is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a quick lunch. SEO‑optimized for “summer tuna pasta salad,” “easy pasta salad,” and “quick tuna recipes,” it’s a crowd‑pleaser that’s both healthy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 10–12 ounces pasta (fusilli, shells, or bowtie)
- 3 (5-ounce) cans albacore tuna, drained
- ½ cup red onions, chopped
- ½ cup sliced pepperoncinis
- 10–12 sweet peppers, diced (or 1 red bell pepper)
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 5–6 cups arugula or romaine lettuce
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix (powder)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1–2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with drained tuna, red onions, pepperoncinis, diced peppers, and chopped parsley.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Fold in the arugula or romaine lettuce and mix just until combined.
- Chill the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
- Serve cold and enjoy a fresh, protein‑rich summer meal.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise. This salad pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or as a side to grilled fish. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; the texture may soften slightly, but flavor remains great. Add extra lemon juice or fresh herbs before serving if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Cold Mix
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: tuna, pasta salad, summer, quick, easy, American