Tuna & Lemon-Herb Pasta Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A refreshing, protein-packed salad featuring canned tuna, crisp vegetables, and a bright lemon-herb dressing—perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs penne pasta, tuna in olive oil, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 (5 oz) can, drained tuna in olive oil
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 8 oz penne pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp dried oregano until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Add drained penne, 1 (5 oz) can drained tuna, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion to the bowl. Toss gently to coat all ingredients in the dressing.
4. Step 4: Chill for at least 30 minutes, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and serve cold.