Introduction

This Dill Pickle Tuna Pasta Salad is a refreshing twist on a classic pasta salad, combining tangy dill pickle flavors with creamy Greek yogurt and mayo. It’s an easy, protein-packed dish perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

A white bowl filled with creamy macaroni salad sits on a white marbled surface. The salad has small curled pasta shells mixed with light beige tuna pieces and chopped light green celery, all coated in a smooth, slightly off-white dressing. Small bits of green herbs and scallions are scattered throughout the mixture, adding subtle color contrast. In the background, sliced cucumber rounds and several small canned tuna containers with blue and yellow lids are lightly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Sauce:

⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
⅔ cup mayo
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon dill
1.5 tablespoons ranch seasoning
¼ cup avocado oil
1 tablespoon pickle juice
½ teaspoon salt

Salad:

5 cans (3 oz each) skipjack tuna (preferably dill pickle tuna from Wild Planet) or 3 cans (5 oz each) plain tuna
8 oz protein pasta (1 box), preferably small shapes like shells or macaroni
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup scallions/green onions (about 3 stalks), thinly sliced
½ cucumber, diced (English or standard)
Salt to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the protein pasta according to the package directions. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to cool quickly. Set aside.
Step 2: In a bowl or mason jar, combine the Greek yogurt, mayo, white vinegar, lemon juice, dill, ranch seasoning, avocado oil, pickle juice, and salt. Mix well until smooth and evenly blended.
Step 3: In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, tuna, minced garlic, scallions, and diced cucumber. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
Step 4: Pour the sauce over the salad mixture and toss until everything is coated. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
Step 5: Refrigerate the salad until ready to serve. It tastes best when chilled.

Tips & Variations

Use dill pickle tuna if available for an extra burst of pickle flavor, or add extra pickle juice to the sauce if you prefer it tangier.
Swap protein pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to suit dietary needs.
Add chopped fresh dill or parsley for a fresher herb note.
Include diced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for added color and crunch.

Storage

Store the tuna pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. This salad is best enjoyed chilled, and the flavors deepen when it sits for a few hours.

How to Serve

A white plate filled with a creamy pasta salad made of small shell pasta mixed with chunks of tuna and small pieces of green celery scattered throughout, creating a textured and slightly chunky look. A silver fork rests on the right edge of the plate, partially buried in the salad. To the left, a small white bowl holds four long pickle slices standing upright. Three yellow-topped tuna cans are placed around the plate, with two above and one below. Two clear glasses filled with water sit to the right of the plate, all arranged on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular tuna instead of dill pickle tuna?

Yes, you can use plain tuna if dill pickle tuna is unavailable. Adding a bit of pickle juice to the sauce helps mimic the distinctive tangy flavor.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This pasta salad holds up well in the fridge and makes a convenient, protein-rich meal prep option for several days.

Dill Pickle Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 69 reviews

A refreshing and protein-packed Dill Pickle Tuna Pasta Salad combining zesty dill, tangy pickles, and creamy Greek yogurt dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a savory side dish, this salad uses protein pasta and skipjack tuna for a nutritious and satisfying meal.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

⅓ cup plain Greek Yogurt
⅔ cup mayo
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon dill
1.5 tablespoon ranch seasoning
¼ cup avocado oil
1 tablespoon pickle juice
½ teaspoon salt

Salad

5 cans (3 oz each) skipjack tuna (preferably dill pickle flavored from Wild Planet) or 3 cans (5 oz each) plain tuna
8 oz protein pasta (1 box) (small pasta shapes like shells or macaroni preferred)
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup scallions/green onions, thinly sliced (about 3 stalks)
½ cucumber, diced (English or standard cucumber)
Salt to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Prepare the 8 oz protein pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and cool it quickly by running cold water over it to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
Prepare the sauce: In a bowl or mason jar, combine the plain Greek yogurt, mayo, white vinegar, lemon juice, dill, ranch seasoning, avocado oil, pickle juice, and salt. Mix thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, tuna cans (skipjack dill pickle or plain), minced garlic, sliced scallions, and diced cucumber. Stir these ingredients gently to distribute evenly.
Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the pasta and tuna mixture. Stir well to coat all ingredients with the sauce evenly.
Adjust seasoning and chill: Taste the salad and add additional salt if needed. Store the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld for best taste.

Notes

Using dill pickle-flavored skipjack tuna adds an extra layer of tangy flavor to enhance the dish.
Protein pasta provides an extra boost of protein and texture suitable for a hearty salad.
Chilling the salad before serving helps the flavors meld and improve taste.
This salad can be made a day ahead and keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Try adding chopped fresh dill or pickles for extra texture and zing if desired.

Keywords: dill pickle tuna pasta salad, protein pasta salad, tuna pasta salad, dill dressing pasta, healthy tuna salad, quick pasta salad