Move over, mayo! We don’t need you anymore. Not when we have deliciousness like garlicky vinaigrette to dress our salad! Not when the weather is {finally} whispering spring into our ears. Not when lighter fare beckons our taste buds.
Oh, no, we don’t need mayo. Not for tuna pasta salad, anyway!
Tuna Pasta Salad with Vinaigrette
adapted from Real Simple magazine
12 oz. bowtie pasta
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, peeled and shredded
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
2 TBSP dried parsley (or 1/3 cup fresh)
2 TBSP lemon juice
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 6oz cans tuna, drained
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, and leave in colander. Using pot from the pasta, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and heat for about 30 seconds. Add in carrot and celery and stir and cook until vegetables are softened. Add parsley, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir together well, then add tuna. Remove from heat and stir in the pasta until thoroughly combined. Serve warm or chill for several hours and serve cold.
Need a QUICK weeknight dinner on a beautiful spring day? This is what you’re looking for! Definitely less than half an hour start to finish, and you can’t really ask for more than that!
It’s just as EASY as traditional tuna salad, despite cooking the veggies just a bit. And did you notice it uses only one pot? Less clean-up!
The fact that it doesn’t use meat makes it a CHEAP dinner. I try to serve pasta once a week because it is a great frugal option that keeps me from having to buy quite as much meat.
It’s HEALTHY as is, and can be even healthier if you add more vegetables (peas come to mind). Be sure to use a whole grain pasta, or one like Barilla Plus, which is my personal favorite. Homemade is even better (but negates the quick and easy aspect!).
Sharing at Katherine Martinelli’s, and Ultimate Recipe Swap.
It looks like a yummy dish!
Jo at Jo’s Health Corner recently posted..Quick and Easy Grain and Dairy Free Breakfasts
Tried this tonight… yuuuuum! It’ll be a regular in our rotation!
Sam recently posted..Homeschool Mothers Journal
Thanks for letting me know! It’s always nice to hear feedback from people who’ve actually tried it - glad you enjoyed!
Yum! That does sound pretty tasty! I’ll have to put that on my meal plan for the near future.
It’s delicious! I make it all the time (and not just in spring, clearly:)