Greek Tuna Pasta Salad (no mayo!)

What You Will ❤️ About Greek Tuna Pasta Salad

• Hot or Cold – I love this pasta dish warm or cold – which makes it great to pack for a lunch or just make up quickly!
• Copycat Dish – This is a bit of a copycat dish! Our local Skyline Chili has a Greek spaghetti and the base of this is where it comes from! I added the tuna for the protein – and love it!
• Colorful! They tell you having a plate of many colors = many nutrients! So let’s go with that!

Greek Tuna Pasta Salad Ingredients (no mayo!)

You won’t find a drop of mayo in this pasta salad recipe! Lots of fresh ingredients and a couple of short cuts to make this healthy tuna pasta salad an easy choice for lunch or dinner!

• Radiatore pasta – I love this shape but you can use any pasta shape you like – penne, elbow macaroni & rotini all work! Whole wheat pasta is fine too!
• Tomato – you’re dicing the tomato so cherry tomatoes will work as well!
• Kalamata olive – my favorite ingredient! The salt in the olives and feta are right up my alley!
• Feta cheese crumbles – this salty crumbly cheese is essential and so delicious! I urge you to try the block and crumble yourself vs the container of pre-crumbled. You can get bigger chunks!
• Pepperoncinis – these little pickled peppers are so good! They add a little spice but not too much.
• Flaked Tuna – I like the little packets of yellowfin tuna (EVOO is my fav brand) but you could also use pre-cooked salmon as well! You can also use canned albacore tuna – I like to use something a little more “premium” since it’s the focus of the dish.
• Greek Salad Dressing – you can make your own but I usually use a bottled dressing. Skyline Greek Dressing here in Cincinnati is my favorite but Ken’s is also good. Like the tuna – it’s a star of the dish – so I use a premium brand for this. (and it’s my favorite!)

How to make Greek Tuna Pasta Salad without Mayo

By using packaged tuna and a pre-made dressing – I’m saving a lot of time. You can make your own if you have time. Here’s how we’ll put this yummy pasta salad together:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions for al dente pasta and drain. Rinse lightly with cold water.
• In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, tomato, olives, feta, pepperoncinis and Greek dressing. Lightly toss. Split between two serving bowls.
• Top pasta salad with cooked tuna and garnish with fresh dill or fresh parsley if you have it for more flavor!!

Recipe Variations

I make this Greek pasta salad all the time – and sometimes I change it up based on what’s in my fridge. Here are some ideas on how to mix it up:

• Veggies! Add red onions, cucumber, bell peppers, frozen peas or baby spinach for more veggie power!
• Protein – you’ve got a punch of protein with your tuna, but you could also dice hard-boiled eggs on top as well
• Make your own Dressing – my Panera copycat has a homemade Greek salad dressing if you want to make your own! It’s got fresh garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, Greek seasoning and more!
• Creamy Dressing – if you’re missing the creaminess of mayo – you can whisk in a bit of Greek yogurt to your Greek dressing

Tips, Tricks & FAQs

More Pasta Salad Recipes

• Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad
• Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad
• Chicken Salad Chick Pasta Salad

More Tuna Recipes

• Tuna Melt Wrap
• Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole
• Tuna Carbonara