Pasta Salad with Tuna Pine Nuts and Red Peppers
Elevate your summer dining with this vibrant Pasta Salad with Tuna, Pine Nuts, and Red Peppers—a medley of Mediterranean-inspired flavors in every bite. Featuring tender al dente pasta paired with protein-rich tuna, nutty toasted pine nuts, and smoky roasted red peppers, this salad is as nourishing as it is delicious. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp red onions, and fragrant basil leaves add layers of freshness, while a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil and zesty lemon juice ties it all together. Ready in just 25 minutes, this colorful and satisfying dish is perfect as a light lunch, picnic staple, or refreshing side for your barbecues. Serve it chilled for maximum flavor impact!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams short pasta (e.g., fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 2 small cans (about 140 grams total) canned tuna in olive oil, drained
- 50 grams pine nuts
- 2 pieces roasted red peppers, sliced
- 0.5 piece red onion, finely sliced
- 150 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
- 10 grams fresh basil leaves, torn
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse it briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process, and set it aside to cool.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden brown and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, drained tuna, toasted pine nuts, roasted red peppers, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and torn basil leaves.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to chill before serving. Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
436 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.8 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.4 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 37 mg | 12% | |
| Sodium | 496 mg | 22% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.5 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.9 g | ||
| Protein | 27.0 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.4 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 37 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 556 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
