Vegetable & Tuna Pasta Salad

5.0
(3)
3 Reviews

This delicious pasta salad recipe is made with zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula and chunk light tuna, which is lower in mercury than white albacore tuna. For the best flavor, combine the pasta salad with the dressing about 1 hour before serving. If you're looking for an environmentally sustainable canned tuna option, check the label--tuna that was caught by troll or pole-and-line is considered the best choice, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program. Or look for the blue Certified Sustainable Seafood label from the Marine Stewardship Council.

By
Stacy Fraser
stacy_fraser_310_v2.jpg
Stacy Fraser
Stacy Fraser is an independent culinary professional based in Charlotte, Vermont. She was a kitchen manager at Burlington’s Penny Cluse Cafe for five years before joining the team at EatingWell, where she was test kitchen manager for 13 years.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 18, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD
A portrait of Breana Killeen, M.P.H., RD
Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
3758289.jpg
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes-Friendly Low-Sodium Heart-Healthy Low-Calorie
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Dressing

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¼ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • ¼ cup red-wine vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Pasta Salad

  • 8 ounces (about 3 cups) whole-wheat fusilli

  • 3 cups baby arugula

  • 1 cup diced zucchini (about 1 medium)

  • 2 5-ounce cans chunk light tuna, drained

  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

  • ¼ cup chopped soft sun-dried tomatoes

  • Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

  1. To prepare dressing: Combine oil, broth, vinegar, basil, shallots, salt and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake until well combined. (Or whisk in a bowl.)

  2. To prepare pasta salad: Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions. Drain, transfer to a large bowl and let cool. Add arugula, zucchini, tuna, cheese, tomatoes, pepper and the dressing; toss to coat.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate, without dressing, for up to 1 day. Toss with the dressing about 1 hour before serving.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2013

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

275 Calories
12g Fat
28g Carbs
15g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1 1/3 cups
Calories 275
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 15g 30%
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Vitamin A 512IU 10%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Folate 28mcg 7%
Sodium 330mg 14%
Calcium 132mg 10%
Iron 2mg 12%
Magnesium 56mg 13%
Potassium 335mg 7%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Related Articles

7669445.jpg
Pasta, Tuna & Roasted Pepper Salad
30 mins
3755650.jpg
Lemony Lentil Salad with Salmon
30 mins
Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad for Two
Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad
25 mins
3759341.jpg
Classic Dill Chicken Salad
20 mins
3758043.jpg
Greek Pasta Salad
30 mins
3755247.jpg
Curried Chicken & Pasta Salad
25 mins
4518422.jpg
Fresh Fruit Salad
30 mins
3759382.jpg
Pasta Salad with Black Beans & Avocado Dressing
20 mins
3756268.jpg
Crunchy Bok Choy Slaw
20 mins
3755810.jpg
Tuscan-Style Tuna Salad
10 mins
Creamy Coleslaw
Creamy Coleslaw
20 mins
3756523.jpg
Lebanese Potato Salad
1 hr 15 mins
4518093.jpg
Purple Fruit Salad
20 mins
4509344.jpg
Mexican-Inspired Coleslaw
20 mins
4457617.jpg
Chickpea Salad
20 mins
3758974.jpg
Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad with Greens
30 mins