Best Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe in the World

No Mayo Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad is a low carb dinner that's filled with protein, greens, and lots of fresh veggies.

Skipping mayo makes this even healthier. This is especially cool when you are on a diet or when you are looking for some quick and easy salad recipe to carry to work.

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Jump to:

• Try this easy Summertime dinner tonight
• Classic Tuna Pasta Salad
• Key West Tuna Pasta Salad
• Tuna Pasta Salad Ingredients
• Choosing the right canned tuna
• How to Make Tuna Pasta Salad
• Is Tuna Pasta good for Weight Loss?
• Variations to this Tuna Pasta Salad
• My Favorite Salads
• Leave everything and make this easy dinner tonight! its crazy good
• Best Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe in the World

I've been making this tuna pasta salad for years — it started as a desperate "nothing in the fridge" dinner and quickly became one of my most-requested recipes. The no-mayo version came about when a friend with a dairy sensitivity visited, and honestly? I've never gone back. The olive oil and balsamic dressing is lighter, brighter, and lets the tuna actually shine through.

Perfect to carry to a potluck or barbecues. Or make for a lunch this easy tuna pasta salad is as easy as 1,2,3...

Just combine flaked tuna with veggies (cherry tomatoes, green peas, english cucumber, red onions, and celery) and top it off with a basic dressing.

I have deliberately tried to keep the dressing light and easy. So, it's just some extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Garlic Salt, and Pepper.

Try this easy Summertime dinner tonight

For that extra freshness I like to squeeze some fresh lemon juice before serving.

• The Best Vegan Tuna Salad | Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwich

More Salads I think you'll like:

• Strawberry Chicken Salad with the Best ever dressing
• Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Chickpeas
• Salmon Salad Sandwich

Classic Tuna Pasta Salad

If you are looking for a classic Tuna Pasta Salad then you got to make easy Tuna Macaroni Salad. But, there is no such rule. It's just that tuna macaroni salad has been around for a long time.

Instead of Macaroni you can use any pasta that you like. If you like Macaroni pasta you'll like:

• Deli-style Creamy Classic Macaroni Salad
• Traditional Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Why bow-tie pasta works best here: Farfalle (bow-tie pasta) isn't just a pretty choice — its ridged surface and folded shape hold onto the dressing really well, so every bite is flavored evenly.

Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni also work well for the same reason.

Avoid long pasta like spaghetti or linguine, which doesn't distribute the chunky tuna and veggies well.

Key West Tuna Pasta Salad

Typically Key West Tuna Pasta Salad is just like this recipe. But, they use mayo and yogurt. I have skipped both the ingredients for my tuna pasta salad recipe.

In case you want to add mayonnaise and yogurt, you can add them to your salad.

But, make sure you use low fat mayonnaise and thick greek yogurt.

Tuna Pasta Salad Ingredients

These are the ingredients which I have used to make my tuna pasta salad without mayo.

• pasta (of your choice) - I have used farfalle or bow-tie pasta
• canned tuna
• frozen peas
• cherry tomatoes
• red onions
• celery
• english cucumber

tuna pasta salad dressing no mayo

• extra virgin olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• Garlic salt
• pepper

Choosing the right canned tuna

Not all canned tuna is equal. For this salad, I recommend chunk light tuna in water — it flakes beautifully and has a mild flavor that doesn't overpower the fresh veggies.

If you prefer a richer taste, solid white albacore works well too, though it has a firmer texture. Always drain it thoroughly before adding it to the salad — excess water will dilute your dressing.

How to Make Tuna Pasta Salad

Tuna pasta salad with peas and no mayo is a recipe that is low in calories and high in protein.

Making it is so easy and you can always store it in the fridge and serve later.

STEP 1: Easy pasta salad recipe with tuna starts with flaking of the tuna. Flaking the tuna is very easy. Use a pair of fork to flake the tuna.

STEP 2: Assemble the ingredients in a large bowl. Combine all the ingredients with flaked tuna in a bowl.

STEP 3: Easy pasta salad dressing recipe is pretty simple. Just combine extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Garlic Salt, and Pepper. Toss it with the pasta salad. Stick it in the fridge until cold. Serve.

Is Tuna Pasta good for Weight Loss?

Can you lose weight if you eat Tuna Pasta Salad?

Well, I can't say for sure. Weight Loss is a journey. It takes time and lots of effort. I can't say for certain that one serving of tuna pasta will be good for weight loss.

But, if you are minding your calorie count and you want to stay calorie deficit then this tuna pasta salad is an excellent choice for you.

This easy Tuna Pasta salad is high in protein and helps you meet your protein requirement.

It has no mayonnaise and therefore is very healthy. Besides that, it contains just olive oil, garlic salt, pepper, and vinegar. Which means it is absolutely healthy for you.

A quick look at the nutrition:

One serving of this tuna pasta salad (without mayo) provides approximately 25g of protein and only 5g of fat, making it genuinely one of the more macro-balanced pasta salads you can make.

Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health, brain health and the green peas add a solid dose of fiber and plant-based protein. The absence of mayonnaise cuts a significant amount of saturated fat compared to traditional versions.

That said, if you're managing a specific health condition or following a medical diet, it's always best to check with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Variations to this Tuna Pasta Salad

• Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad - if you are looking for a last minute Pasta salad recipe to bring to Potluck or for a quick side for BBQ Night out, you should definitely add some Mayonnaise to this same recipe and make the most creamy Tuna Pasta salad ever which everyone will LOVE!
• Veggies of your choice - add shredded Carrots, Purple Cabbage and Bell Peppers to make base for the salad.
• Quinoa or Cauliflower Rice - use cooked Quinoa or Cauliflower rice to make the base of the salad instead of Pasta. This will be Low Carb and High in Protein.
• Parmesan Cheese - top off this Tuna Pasta Salad with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a brilliant salty taste to it.
• Italian - Make Italian Tuna Pasta Salad by just including Italian Seasoning, Freshly chopped Basil, chopped Pine Nuts and Parmesan Cheese to this same recipe.
• Mexican - Give this Easy Tuna Pasta Salad a mexican twist by adding Black Beans, Avocados, and Corn to it. Also, add some ground cumin, & chili powder for the seasoning.

Tips from my kitchen that actually make a difference:

• Don't skip the fridge time. Even 20–30 minutes in the fridge dramatically improves the flavor. The pasta absorbs the dressing and everything melds together beautifully.
• Salt your pasta water generously. This is the only chance you get to season the pasta itself — under-seasoned pasta will make the whole salad taste flat.
• Thaw frozen peas properly. Don't add frozen peas straight from the bag. Let them sit in room-temperature water for 5 minutes so they're tender but still bright green. They look better and taste better.
• Make it ahead. This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. It actually tastes better on day 2 once everything has had time to marinate.

My Favorite Salads

• Summer Potato Salad
• Mexican Corn Salad Recipe with Cilantro Lime Dressin
• Creamy Cucumber Red Onion Salad with Dill and Sourcream

Leave everything and make this easy dinner tonight! its crazy good

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned? Yes! If you have leftover grilled or seared tuna, it works wonderfully here. Flake it just like canned tuna. Fresh tuna will give the salad a more robust, meaty flavor.

How long does tuna pasta salad last in the fridge? Stored in an airtight container, it keeps well for up to 3 days. Give it a gentle toss before serving and add a small drizzle of olive oil if the pasta has absorbed most of the dressing.

Can I make this gluten-free? Absolutely. Just swap the bow-tie pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta both hold up well in cold salads.

Is this recipe safe for pregnant women? Canned light tuna is generally considered safe in moderation during pregnancy (the FDA recommends up to 2–3 servings per week). However, always follow your doctor's specific guidance.