Easy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Name: Easy Tuna Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 lb penne (or rotini, radiatore, bowtie, etc); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lemon, for juice and zest; 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaf; 1 (6 ounce) can tuna in olive oil, not drained (or 6-ounces tuna in water, plus approximately 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil of your choice); tomatoes, chopped; 2 scallions, chopped; parmesan cheese, grated or shredded (optional); hot sauce or Tabasco sauce, to taste (optional); toasted pignolis or walnuts (optional); salt and pepper

Servings: persons

1/2 lb penne (or rotini, radiatore, bowtie, etc)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, for juice and zest
1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tuna in olive oil, not drained (or 6-ounces tuna in water, plus approximately 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil of your choice)
tomatoes, chopped
2 scallions, chopped
parmesan cheese, grated or shredded (optional)
hot sauce or Tabasco sauce, to taste (optional)
toasted pignolis or walnuts (optional)
salt and pepper

1
Cook pasta to al dente.
2
While the pasta cooks, finely grate enough lemon zest to measure 1 tablespoon and squeeze 1 teaspoon juice (or more, to taste) Mince garlic.
3
Cut basil into thin strips.
4
Chop scallions and tomatoes.
5
Toast and chop nuts.
6
In a large bowl toss together all ingredients except for pasta.
7
Check and correct seasoning, lemon juice, and amount of olive oil.
8
When pasta is done, add it to bowl and toss with combined ingredients.
9
Check and correct seasonings again.

236

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1/2 lb penne (or rotini, radiatore, bowtie, etc), 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 lemon, for juice and zest, 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaf, and more.

Yes, Easy Tuna Pasta Salad falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Easy Tuna Pasta Salad

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions