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Easy homemade tuna pasta salad recipe made with farfalle pasta, tuna, cherry tomatoes, mayonnaise, and diced onions in a large mixing bowl, perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, and family dinners.
Ashley

Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

This easy & simple Tuna Pasta Salad is a simple, budget-friendly recipe made with bowtie pasta, canned tuna, juicy cherry tomatoes, onion, creamy mayonnaise, and simple seasonings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces bowtie pasta farfalle
  • 4 5-ounce cans tuna, drained
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ medium yellow onion finely diced or shredded
  • 1½ cups mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
Prepare the Vegetables
  1. While the pasta cools, slice the cherry tomatoes in half and finely dice or shred the yellow onion.
Combine the Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, drained tuna, cherry tomatoes, and onion.
Add the Dressing
  1. Add the mayonnaise, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
Chill and Serve
  1. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor. Serve cold.

Notes

  • Shredding the onion gives the salad a milder onion flavor while helping it blend into the dressing. (I use a cheese grater for this)
  • Add more mayonnaise if you'd like a creamier pasta salad.
  • This recipe tastes even better after chilling for a few hours.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.