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Easy Tuna Pasta Salad | High Protein Recipe

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4.1 from 44 reviews

This Easy Tuna Pasta Salad is a high-protein, flavorful, and satisfying dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Combining protein pasta, albacore tuna, cannellini beans, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy cottage cheese and mayonnaise-based dressing, it offers a nutritious and filling meal with vibrant textures and tastes.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces dry protein pasta

Protein and Beans

  • 2 5-ounce cans albacore tuna in water
  • 1 15.5-ounce can Cannellini beans, drained
  • 4 large hard-boiled eggs

Vegetables

  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Dressing

  • 1 cup whole milk cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (we use Duke’s)
  • 2-4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the Sauce: Add the cottage cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt to a small food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Transfer the smooth sauce into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Prepare the protein pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain well.
  3. Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Add both cans of albacore tuna (including the juice) to the bowl with the sauce. Use a fork to break up any large chunks of tuna. Rinse frozen peas under hot water, drain thoroughly, and add to the bowl. Rinse and drain the cannellini beans and include them in the mix. Chop the hard-boiled eggs and add them to the bowl along with the thinly sliced scallions. Mix all ingredients well.
  4. Combine Pasta and Salad: Add the drained, cooled pasta to the bowl with the sauce and other ingredients. Gently stir everything together until well combined.
  5. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt, black pepper, and red wine vinegar to your preference.

Notes

  • Use protein pasta to increase the protein content of this salad, but regular pasta can be substituted.
  • Adjust the amount of red wine vinegar from 2 to 4 tablespoons depending on your preferred tanginess.
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water prevents it from overcooking and helps keep the salad fresh and cool.
  • This salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing option.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: High Protein

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/easy-tuna-pasta-salad-high-protein-recipe/