Super Simple Tuna Salad Pasta: A Refreshing No-Cook Summer Delight
Tuna Salad Pasta recipe, cold pasta, summer dish, easy recipe, chilled pasta, tuna recipe, salad pasta
Hello everyone, it’s Superpower! Today, I’ve made a delightful Tuna Salad Pasta. We’ll take perfectly cooked pasta, chill it thoroughly, and then top it with a vibrant mix of salad greens, tuna, and tomatoes, all brought together with a savory dressing. This dish is simple yet incredibly delicious, offering a satisfying crunch and rich flavor. Especially during the hot summer months, standing over a hot stove can be quite daunting. This recipe requires you to be near the stove only for cooking the pasta; the rest of the preparation is done without any cooking! Let’s get started on how to make this amazing Tuna Salad Pasta!
Ingredients- Pasta, 1 serving (spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite type)
- Cherry tomatoes, 4
- Salad greens, a generous amount
- Tuna, 1 can (75g), drained
- Tsuyu (Japanese soup base) or soy sauce, 5 Tbsp (tuna extract can be substituted)
- Perilla oil (or sesame oil), 2 Tbsp
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste (for boiling pasta)
- Water, as needed (for boiling pasta)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Fill a pot with a generous amount of water and add a pinch of salt (about 1/2 tsp). Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the pasta and cook according to package directions, perhaps for an extra minute to ensure it’s al dente, as it will be chilled later. A slightly firmer texture works best for cold pasta.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, wash about 4 cherry tomatoes, remove their stems, and cut them in half.
Step 3
Thoroughly wash your salad greens. Gently shake off excess water or use a salad spinner to ensure they are dry. Prepare them by tearing or cutting into bite-sized pieces if necessary.
Step 4
Open the can of tuna and drain it thoroughly to remove all the oil. This step is crucial for a lighter, non-greasy pasta dish.
Step 5
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it using a colander. Immediately rinse the pasta under cold running water several times to cool it down completely. This stops the cooking process and gives it a refreshing chill. Drain well and transfer the cooled pasta to your serving bowl.
Step 6
Arrange the prepared salad greens, halved cherry tomatoes, and drained tuna attractively over the chilled pasta. The vibrant colors will make the dish look as appealing as it tastes.
Step 7
Finish by sprinkling a pinch of freshly ground black pepper over the top. Then, drizzle the 5 tablespoons of tsuyu (or soy sauce) and 2 tablespoons of perilla oil evenly over the ingredients. These liquids will beautifully season and bind the flavors together.
Step 8
And there you have it – your delicious Tuna Salad Pasta is ready! Gently toss everything together before serving. This is a perfect, light meal or side dish to beat the summer heat and tantalize your taste buds!
