PF
A healthy tuna salad served with fresh lettuce and olives, perfect for a light meal.
Stovetop~30 minComplexity

Tuna Pasta Salad

This Tuna Pasta Salad contains 9g protein and 219 calories per serving, functioning as a lighter carb-based lunch for training days. Quick-preps 6 servings on the stovetop, making it efficient for anyone batch-cooking multiple meals at once. Supports glycogen replenishment without derailing your daily calorie targets.

Rate this recipe:

Ingredients

6 servings
  • Rotini Pasta(227g)
  • Yellow Onion(120g)
  • Tomato, Cherry
  • Tomatoes, Sun-Dried, Packed In Oil(120g)
  • Bell Pepper
  • Capers, Canned, Drained(45g)
  • Parsley, Fresh(45g)
  • Canned Tuna
  • Greek Yogurt (Nonfat)(160g)

    Plain Greek yogurt — nonfat (0%) or low-fat (2%). Not regular yogurt.

  • Lemon Juice, Fresh(60g)
  • Honey(10g)
  • Mustard, Dijon(3g)

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

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
  • Oregano, Dried(3g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (plus additional to taste)

Instructions

  1. 1Cook the rotini in a large pot of salted water over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water until cooled, then shake off excess water and let drain fully while you prep remaining ingredients.
  2. 2Place the diced onion in a small bowl, cover with cold water, and let sit 5 minutes to mellow the bite. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
  3. 3Dice the bell pepper and halve the cherry tomatoes. Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes, fresh parsley, and capers. Set all prepared vegetables aside.
  4. 4In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully combined.
  5. 5Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl. Add the onion, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, bell pepper, capers, and parsley, then pour the dressing over top and toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. 6Flake the drained tuna into the bowl in large pieces and fold gently until just combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. 7Divide evenly into 6 airtight containers while at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to develop. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition — Per Serving

219

calories

9g

protein

4g

fat

Carbohydrates
39g
Saturated fat
0.6g
Sodium
253 mg
Dietary fiber
3.5g

6 servings per batch · ~132g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

+ Add to Meal Plan

AI Swap Engine

Swap any ingredient and get recalculated macros instantly.

Set up your profile to unlock

Common questions

How much protein does Tuna Pasta Salad have per serving?

Each serving contains 9g of protein and 219 calories with 4g fat and 39g carbs. This recipe is carb-forward and lower in protein, making it better suited as a side dish or light lunch rather than a standalone protein source.

How long does Tuna Pasta Salad take to prep?

This is a quick prep recipe that comes together fast on the stovetop and yields 6 servings at once. You can have an entire week's worth of lunch components ready in minimal active time.

Is Tuna Pasta Salad good for fat loss?

At 219 calories per serving with only 9g protein, this recipe is too carb-heavy and protein-light for dedicated fat loss phases. You'd be better served pairing it with an additional protein source or choosing a higher-protein tuna option.

Steak and Potato Bowls

Oven · 7 servings

70g protein610 cal12g fat
Complexity
View Recipe →+ Plan

Beef Bacon Mac Bowls

Slow Cooker · 10 servings

70g protein540 cal11g fat
Complexity
View Recipe →+ Plan

Big Mac Pasta

Slow Cooker · 10 servings

70g protein540 cal11g fat
Complexity
View Recipe →+ Plan

Cheesy Beef Pasta Bowls

Stovetop · 10 servings

49g protein410 cal10g fat
Complexity
View Recipe →+ Plan