No-Cook Tuna Pasta Salad with Olives
A vibrant, protein-packed salad combining cool pasta, flaky tuna, and briny olives for a refreshing meal ready in minutes. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs penne pasta, (5 oz) in water, drained tuna, chopped Kalamata olives into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 can (5 oz) in water, drained tuna
- 1/4 cup, chopped Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled penne pasta, 1 can tuna (5 oz), 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion.
- Step 3: Whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified, then pour over the pasta mixture.
- Step 4: Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated, then chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Cook Tuna Pasta Salad with Olives take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover No-Cook Tuna Pasta Salad with Olives?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Cook Tuna Pasta Salad with Olives?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Cook Tuna Pasta Salad with Olives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with No-Cook Tuna Pasta Salad with Olives?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to salads dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
