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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    March 21, 2020 · Updated June 26, 2023

    Tuna Pasta Salad

    4.50 from 10 votes
    8 Comments

    · by Amanda Gajdosik

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.

    A pin to share the recipe for tuna salad

    This tuna pasta salad recipe is the perfect quick meal that is made up of pantry staples you probably have on hand! It makes a delicious quick lunch or side dish for a backyard barbecue!

    Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

    Perfectly cooked shell noodles are enrobed in a light dressing flavored with lots of dill and a dash of celery salt. Green peas and a fresh and bright bite to this perfect pasta salad.

    The best tuna pasta salad recipe

    Make this pasta salad! It’s the absolute best! It’s my momma’s. One of the three things she makes and makes so perfectly there’s no contest (the other two would be her lasagna and her cream cheese frosting).

    It’s so simple! And so dang good it makes me forget I don’t like tuna.

    Tuna Pasta Salad

    Ingredients for this recipe

    • Canned Tuna
    • Small shell pasta
    • Frozen Peas
    • Mayonnaise
    • Miracle Whip (don’t judge, it works, and it’s Midwestern)
    • Dill & Celery Salt (use as much as you think you need, then use more)
    • Sugar
    • Milk

    How to make Tuna Pasta Salad with Miracle Whip and Peas

    1. Boil the noodles. In heavily salted water, then rinse with cold water.
    2. Mix up the dressing. In a large bowl until smooth.
    3. Add the drained tuna. I like to break up the larger chunks of fish so every bite contains tuna!
    4. Stir in the cooked pasta. Adding a splash of milk to make it smooth and creamy.
    5. Stir in frozen peas. My mom's rule is that the peas MUST be frozen. It's some kind of recipe hack.
    6. Chill and enjoy! You can serve this as a side dish with supper or a quick lunch main.
    A mixing bowl filled with a miracle whip and mayonnaise-based salad dressing.
    Make the simple dressing.
    Add the tuna.
    Add the cooled noodles.
    Stir in milk.
    Add the frozen peas.
    Mix and chill until ready to serve.

    Truly this recipe is so easy! And even more delicious. And is very much a pantry staple/crowd pleaser/game changer. I give it to you as a humble offering during this trying time. And for all the brighter days yet to come.

    Tuna Pasta Salad

    Watch the recipe video!

    Tuna Pasta Salad
    Print Recipe
    4.50 from 10 votes

    Tuna Pasta Salad

    A delicious and EASY tuna pasta salad recipe that utilizes pantry staples.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Pantry Staples, Pasta Salad, Seafood, Tuna Salad
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 111kcal
    Author: Amanda Gajdosik
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound small shell pasta
    • ¾ cup mayonnaise, preferably Duke’s
    • ¾ cup Miracle Whip
    • ½ - 1 teaspoons celery salt
    • 1– 2 teapsoons dried dill
    • 2– 3 teaspoons sugar
    • 2 5-ounce cans albacore tuna, drained (wild caught, if you can)
    • 2 - 3 tablespoons milk
    • ½ bag frozen peas, about 8 ounces

    Instructions

    • Boil noodles according to package directions in a bowl of heavily salted water. Drain and rinse with cold water before setting aside.
    • In a large bowl, mix together the mayo, Miracle Whip, celery salt, dill, and sugar until smooth. Stir in tuna and make sure it’s broken up into little chunks.
    • Stir in the cooked pasta and toss to coat, adding milk until a creamy texture is reached. Stir in the peas (still frozen!) and taste. Adjust seasoning as necessary, adding more celery salt or dill to taste. Place in fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    • This isn’t really a super recipe-y recipe. Truly when I make the dressing I just do a big scoop of mayo and a big scoop of Miracle Whip, no measuring. Same thing with the spices and milk. This is old school and is about feel. When it’s right, you’ll know it. And love it. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 421mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

      Leave a rating and review! Cancel reply

      Did you love the recipe? Let me know! And let others know too by leaving a comment and star rating. Reviews are so useful in helping other people find my site and make my recipes. Your support means the world to me!

      Amanda

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      Recipe Rating




    1. D says

      June 08, 2023 at 2:23 am

      What size can of tuna?

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        June 10, 2023 at 5:14 pm

        2 5-ounce cans! I wrote this recipe card so long ago I didn't realize those key details were missing! I've updated the card to answer your questions. Thank you so much 🙂

        Reply
    2. D says

      June 08, 2023 at 2:21 am

      What size box of pasta?

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        June 10, 2023 at 5:14 pm

        1 pound! My mistake for not having it listed properly before. Hope you made this and enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Tiffany says

      May 05, 2023 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. Super easy and super tasty!!

      Reply
    4. Roger says

      October 02, 2021 at 4:15 am

      4 stars
      Leave out the milk. An otherwise niceto-have recipe for its simplicity.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        October 05, 2021 at 2:37 pm

        Always great to make a recipe your own. Thanks for making this great pasta salad recipe, Roger!

        Reply

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    Amanda, a food photographer and recipe developer, leans against a kitchen counter. She is smiling and holding a camera. She wears a white shirt and black jeans.
    Hi! I'm Amanda, and I believe in good food for good people. I hope you enjoy the homemade recipes you'll find on my site.
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