How to Make Cold Tuna Pasta Salad

Serve homemade tuna pasta salad at a picnic.

Although tuna pasta salad is a cold dish, it's hearty enough to serve as a nutritious meal. The tuna packs a protein punch while pasta provides plenty of energy-boosting carbohydrates. Tuna pasta salad is an ideal picnic or outdoor party dish, but be sure to keep it cool to avoid the risk of food-borne illness. You can customize your homemade tuna pasta salad to include fresh, seasonal vegetables and savory spices.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. of cooked seashell-shaped or farfalle pasta
• Colander
• Large mixing bowl
• 6 oz. can of olive oil-packed tuna, drained
• 1 finely chopped red onion
• 15 oz. can of green peas, drained
• 1 stalk of chopped celery
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Small bowl
• Wire whisk
• Plastic wrap (optional)

Instructions

1. Boil 1 lb. of seashell-shaped or farfalle pasta in salted water until it is al dente. Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Place the pasta in a large mixing bowl.

2. Drain one 6 oz. can of olive oil-packed tuna and add it to the pasta.

3. Place one finely chopped red onion, one 15 oz. can of drained green peas and one stalk of chopped celery into the mixing bowl and blend all of the ingredients.

4. Blend 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl using a wire whisk.

5. Pour the mayonnaise dressing into the pasta salad and blend well. Serve the salad immediately or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store it in a refrigerator.

References

• All Recipes; Tuna Pasta Salad; Dianne VanHuss
• Epicurious; Tuna Pasta Salad; June 2004
• Food.com; Simple Tuna Pasta Salad; June 2003