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Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

A close-up view of a bowl filled with mediterranean tuna pasta salad featuring elbow macaroni, tuna, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta.
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Make this fresh, bright Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Salad. It uses a zesty lemon vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise, featuring olives, feta, and artichoke hearts for a flavorful, make-ahead meal perfect for lunch or picnics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz short pasta (like rotini or penne)
  • 2 (5 oz) cans tuna in olive oil, drained
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • For the Vinaigrette:
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the lemon vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, drained tuna, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, quartered artichoke hearts, and sliced red onion.
  4. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use tuna packed in olive oil rather than water.
  • You can substitute the artichoke hearts with roasted red peppers if you prefer.
  • This cold tuna pasta salad tastes even better the next day, making it an excellent make-ahead pasta salad.
  • If you want a slightly different flavor profile, add 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the vinaigrette.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/mediterranean-tuna-pasta-salad-recipe/