Open Shop Sorted

Lunch recipe

Zesty Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad with Lemon

No ratings yet

Tuna Mayo pasta salad with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a light packed-lunch dressing.

Start planningStart cookingIngredients
30 min520 kcal3 base servingsMake AheadBatch CookLunchbox Friendly
ContainsEgg, Fish, Gluten
Allergy and dietary checks

Shop Sorted can help flag food rules, but it cannot guarantee that a meal or product is allergen-free or suitable for your needs. Always check retailer labels, product packaging, ingredients and substitution notices before buying, cooking or eating.

Recipe and nutrition estimates

Recipe times, servings, calories and nutrition notes are estimates for planning. They are not medical or dietary advice. Check food is cooked safely and adjust recipes for your household's needs.

Focus ingredients: tuna, mayonnaise

Dietary fit: Pescatarian, Lower Sugar

Serving tip: If making ahead, loosen with a teaspoon of water or lemon juice before eating because chilled pasta firms up.

Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad plated and ready to serve.

Image: Shop Sorted generated asset

Ingredients

What you need

  • 220g pasta
  • 2 tins tuna
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 80g spinach
  • 200g cherry tomatoes
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

You'll also need

bowl, knife

Method

Step by step

Up to 8 clear steps
  1. Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad cooking step 1: Get prepped.
    Step 1

    Cook the pasta

    Cook 220g pasta in boiling water with a pinch of salt for 9-11 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain well, then spread it out for 2 minutes so the steam escapes.

    11 min
  2. Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad cooking step 2: Start cooking.
    Step 2

    Prep the mix-ins

    Roughly chop the spinach and halve the cherry tomatoes. Drain the tuna and flake it with a fork so it folds through without large clumps.

  3. Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad cooking step 3: Build the flavour.
    Step 3

    Make the dressing

    Stir mayonnaise and lemon with 1 tablespoon olive oil, a little black pepper, and a pinch of salt only if needed.

  4. Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad cooking step 4: Bring it together.
    Step 4

    Dress while warm

    Toss the warm pasta with half the dressing for 30 seconds so it absorbs the flavour instead of sitting plain.

    1 min
  5. Tuna Mayo Pasta Salad cooking step 5: Finish the dish.
    Step 5

    Fold everything together

    Fold through the tuna and spinach and cherry tomatoes, then add the remaining dressing and toss again.

  6. Step 6

    Pack or serve

    Taste and adjust with black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Serve at room temperature, or cool quickly and keep chilled if packing ahead.