PF
A healthy tuna salad served with fresh lettuce and olives, perfect for a light meal.
Stovetop~35 minComplexity

Italian Orzo Tuna Salad

This Italian Orzo Tuna Salad delivers 19g protein and 654 calories per serving. Quick-preps 4 servings on the stovetop and holds well across multiple days, ideal for lunch rotation. Works as a lighter carb-loaded option for training days when you need calorie density.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Pasta, Orzo, White, Dry(227g)
  • Spinach
  • Canned Tuna
  • Yellow Onion
  • Cheese, Feta, Crumbled(120g)
  • Tomatoes, Sun-Dried, Packed In Oil(120g)
  • Pine Nuts(120g)
  • Basil, Fresh(80g)
  • Olive oil(45g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Lemon Juice, Fresh(15g)
  • Mustard, Dijon(5g)

    Dijon mustard — Grey Poupon or store brand. Spicier than yellow mustard.

  • Garlic(3g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente (pasta should be tender but still slightly firm to the bite). Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water for 1–2 minutes until completely cooled.
  2. 2While the orzo cooks, mince the garlic and finely dice the onion. Roughly chop the fresh basil and coarsely chop the pine nuts.
  3. 3In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
  4. 4Transfer the cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl. Add the fresh spinach, drained tuna, diced onion, crumbled feta, sun-dried tomatoes (with a tablespoon of their oil), pine nuts, and fresh basil.
  5. 5Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly combined, about 1–2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. 6Divide the salad evenly into 4 airtight containers while at room temperature. Seal and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Nutrition — Per Serving

654

calories

19g

protein

41g

fat

Carbohydrates
57g
Saturated fat
6.3g
Sodium
441 mg
Dietary fiber
5.1g

4 servings per batch · ~184g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Italian Orzo Tuna Salad have per serving?

Each serving contains 19g of protein and 654 calories with 41g fat and 57g carbs. The higher fat content comes primarily from the olive oil-based dressing typical of Italian salad recipes.

How long does Italian Orzo Tuna Salad take to prep?

This is a quick prep lunch option that makes 4 servings, ideal for batch-prepping one component of your weekly meal prep. The stovetop cooking and assembly time are both minimal.

Is Italian Orzo Tuna Salad good for muscle gain?

At 654 calories and 19g protein per serving, this recipe is better suited as a side or lighter meal rather than a primary muscle-building option. Pair it with an additional protein source to hit higher daily protein targets.

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