Description
A flavorful and spicy tuna pasta salad combining perfectly cooked pasta, tender tuna, and crunchy fresh vegetables, all tossed in a creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy dressing featuring Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and sriracha for a delightful and refreshing meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 1 lb uncooked rotini or fusilli pasta (use a gluten-free variety if necessary)
- 2 five-ounce cans tuna, drained
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup small-dice red onion
Dressing
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2–3 tablespoons sriracha, or your favourite hot sauce (adjust amount to taste)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the hot water and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent stickiness. Allow the pasta to drain thoroughly.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, sriracha or hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and drained pasta, drained tuna, diced red bell pepper, grated carrot, diced celery, and small-diced red onion. Gently fold in the dressing until the ingredients are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Store and serve: Serve chilled as a main dish or side. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator and consume within 4 days for best quality.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for gluten sensitivities.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha or hot sauce to control the spiciness level to your preference.
- Chilling the salad for at least an hour enhances the flavor blend and texture.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; avoid leaving it at room temperature for over two hours.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt or a low-fat mayonnaise option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spicy tuna pasta salad, tuna pasta salad, creamy tuna salad, easy pasta salad, healthy tuna salad, gluten-free pasta salad
