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As the temperature rises and the sun shines brighter, there's nothing quite as delightful as a chilled pasta salad. Among the myriad of options available, the Chilled Tuna Delight Pasta Salad stands out as a quintessential summer dish. This easy-to-make recipe not only tantalizes your taste buds but also serves as a nutritious meal option, perfect for warm days, picnics, and family gatherings. With its vibrant blend of flavors and textures, this pasta salad brings together wholesome ingredients like tuna, fresh vegetables, and a creamy dressing that you’ll want to savor again and again.

Cold Tuna & Dill Pasta Salad

Looking for the perfect summer dish? Try this Chilled Tuna Delight Pasta Salad! It's a refreshing blend of rotini pasta, solid white tuna, and fresh vegetables, all brought together with a creamy dressing. This nutritious salad can be made in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for picnics and family gatherings. Enjoy its vibrant flavors while keeping it healthy. Discover easy preparation steps and customizations to suit your taste and dietary needs. Perfect for any occasion!
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Ingredients
  

8 oz. rotini pasta

1 can (5 oz.) solid white tuna in water, drained

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup cucumber, diced

1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

Optional: 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until it reaches al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process. Allow the pasta to sit while it cools to room temperature.

    Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooling, take the time to wash and chop the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion. If you opted for olives and feta, prepare those as well by slicing the olives and crumbling the feta cheese.

      Mix the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise with Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and freshly chopped dill. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed to achieve your desired flavor profile.

        Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gather the cooled rotini pasta, the drained tuna, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and finely chopped red onion. If you're using olives and feta cheese, incorporate them into the mix at this stage for added flavor and texture.

          Dress the Salad: Drizzle the previously prepared dressing over the combined pasta and vegetables. Gently toss all the ingredients together with a spatula or large spoon, making sure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

            Chill: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid, then place it in the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for a minimum of 30 minutes, giving the ingredients time to meld and enhance each other’s flavors.

              Serve: After chilling, take the salad out of the fridge. Give it a gentle toss to redistribute any settled ingredients. For a finishing touch, garnish with additional dill or a sprinkle of feta cheese if desired. Serve cold and enjoy your refreshing Chilled Tuna Delight Pasta Salad!

                Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4