Healthy Tuna & Pasta Salad
Prep
20 mins
Cook
8 mins
Servings
3
Difficulty
Medium
This is my go to weeknight dinner when I want something wholesome but don't have much time. Fresh tuna paired with tender pasta creates a light, protein packed meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. I love using the delicate Barilla piccolini because it cooks so quickly, and the vibrant vegetables add wonderful crunch and nutrition. Tuna is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids that are fantastic for your heart and brain, plus it's an affordable way to get lean protein on the table fast. This salad is honestly foolproof and tastes even better the next day.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 1half of a 1 lb. box barilla piccolini pasta(mini wheels)
- 1extra virgin olive oil(EVOO)
- 11(5 ounce) can bumble bee prime filet solid albacore tuna)
- 1 teaspoonsparsley flakes
- 1dried onion flakes(to taste)
- 1sea salt(to taste)
- 1pepper(to taste)
- 11 finely grated carrot
- 11/2 of a small tomatoes(finely chopped)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Add pasta, 1 tspn. parsley flakes, dried onion (vary amount depending on how much you like onions), sea salt and pepper to a pot of water large enough to cook and stir all ingredients. Bring to a boil and then cook 8 minutes (al dente') or 10 minutes (soft). Drain in colander and rinse with cold water to chill down the pasta. It is not necessary to remove onion/parsley bits. Return to pot after thoroughly drained. Drizzle with EVOO and stir to coat all pasta, then place pot in refrigerator until completely cooled. To quicken the process place in freezer but keep an eye on it to make sure it's not freezing.
- 2
Drain tuna, place in a small bowl and mash with a fork until it's of uniform consistency. Add a small amount of EVOO, remaining parsley flakes, minced onion to taste, salt & pepper to taste. Blend well. When pasta has completely cooled, add tuna mixture, carrot and tomato to pot and blend well. Taste and add EVOO/seasonings as desired.
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