Bright and refreshing pasta salad featuring canned tuna, zesty lemon, fresh herbs, and sweet peas for easy meals.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 - 9 ounces short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or bowties
02 - Salt for boiling water
→ Salad
03 - 1 cup frozen peas
04 - 2 cans tuna in olive oil, 5 ounces each, drained and flaked
05 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
08 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
09 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, adjusted to taste
→ Optional Additions
12 - 1/4 cup capers, rinsed and drained
13 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. During the final 2 minutes of cooking, add frozen peas to the boiling water. Drain pasta and peas thoroughly, then rinse under cold running water until completely cooled.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine drained tuna, diced red onion, fresh parsley, fresh dill, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice.
03 - Add cooled pasta and peas to the bowl containing the tuna mixture. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 - Fold in capers and cherry tomatoes if desired. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
05 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
