Easy Gluten-Free Tuna Pasta Salad
Easy gluten-free tuna pasta salad: my family’s favorite quick lunch! Just cook the pasta, then mix everything for a flavorful, wholesome meal ready in minutes. Perfectly tasty and satisfying!
Ingredients
- 8-10 oz Penne or your favorite pasta, Corn or Brown Rice pasta for a gluten-free option
- 1 can of Tuna in Olive Oil, (retain some of the oil)
- A handful of fresh Cilantro (or parsley) chopped
- 8-10 Grape Tomatoes (1/3 cup chopped Sun-dried Tomatoes are great, too!)
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper, or favorite herb or seasoning blend
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Make sure it's just al dente! Drain.
- Transfer the pasta to a big bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix gently but thoroughly. I drizzle a little EVOO if it seems a little dry and to add more flavor, too. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately! Enjoy!
Notes
Tips and Tricks:
#1 Gluten-free pasta requires timing precision because it continues absorbing liquid after cooking, so mixing with oil and ingredients within 30-60 seconds of draining prevents the final dish from becoming dry.
#2 Tuna packed in olive oil serves a dual purpose as both a protein ingredient and the primary sauce for the pasta, eliminating the need for a separate dressing while adding rich flavor throughout.
#3 Al dente cooking is more critical for gluten-free pasta than traditional pasta because overcooking by even one minute can result in mushy, falling-apart noodles that ruin the salad's texture.
#4 Corn pasta provides a more flavorful alternative to wheat pasta with a naturally sweeter taste profile, though it has a denser, less smooth texture that some may need to adjust to.
#5 This recipe's appeal lies in its minimal cooking requirement since only the pasta needs heat while all other ingredients remain raw, making it an ideal quick meal that still delivers wholesome nutrition and flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 22gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 154mgPotassium: 155mgFiber: 8gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 307IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 6mg
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