Hey there, Seafoodies! 

Ahhhh—summer time! The busy days and heat nights make us really feel nostalgic. Once we take into consideration our favourite recollections of this season, one factor is definite. There’s nothing fairly like lounging within the solar with good firm and nice meals. 

Cookouts, poolside BBQs, campground potlucks, dinner events on the patio—the record goes on! Regardless of the menu, each out of doors meal wants a basic pasta salad facet to accompany the primary meal. 

Hearty and satisfying, this was the inspiration for our newest recipe—7-Layer Tuna Pasta Salad! 

To begin, elbow pasta serves as a pleasant impartial base and is the perfect dimension to absorb all of the scrumptious dressing. Gluten-free Seafoodies can simply modify this recipe by subbing out wheat pasta for a protein-rich lentil or chickpea pasta as an alternative. 

Then, toss in some tuna for a low-calorie, heart-healthy protein supply that can maintain you fueled up for no matter adventures await. Canned or pouched tuna is shelf-stable and budget-friendly which makes this pasta salad even simpler to make if you’re planning for an out of doors gathering. 

Add some crispiness and crunch from layers of recent romaine lettuce, cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes. Tang and zest are supplied by chopped purple onion, shredded cheddar and a handful of black olives. And eventually—our creamy do-it-yourself Greek yogurt dressing brings every part collectively into one phenomenal pasta salad! 

However there’s extra! The ultimate requirement of this recipe was that it needed to be fast and straightforward. As a result of who desires to spend hours within the kitchen when these summer time vibes are calling!? So, this complete facet dish comes collectively in about quarter-hour and may be loved instantly or prepped forward and left within the fridge to let the flavors marinate! 

There you will have it—our 7-layer Tuna Pasta Salad in all its glory! Easy, satisfying and oh-so-delicious. Actually, we predict it’s every part you possibly can ask for in a facet dish.

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For dressing (or use store-bought creamy yogurt dressing):

• ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup olive oil mayonnaise
• 4 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 inexperienced onions, chopped
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly floor black pepper

For salad:

• 8 ounces elbow pasta
• 3–4 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 giant cucumber, diced
• 1 small purple onion, chopped
• 24 ounces of canned or pouched tuna in oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup black olives, pitted and halved (non-obligatory)

1. Prepare dinner pasta in line with instructions. When completed cooking, drain and put aside to chill.
2. Make salad dressing by salad substances with a whisk till well-combined (or use store-bought creamy yogurt salad dressing). Put aside.
3. Layer the salad in a big bowl, trifle dish or a number of broad mouth Mason jars with tight-fitting lid by putting the dressing within the backside. Subsequent, layer the tomatoes, cucumber, purple onion and olives (non-obligatory). Then, add a layer of cooled pasta.  After that, layer the tuna and cheese. Lastly, high with lettuce. Cowl and let sit within the fridge for 4-8 hours or till chilled, then get pleasure from or maintain refrigerated as a meal prep till you’re able to eat.

Notes

Really useful utensils: pot, colander, bowl, whisk or fork, trifle dish or mason jars 

• Creator: Dish on Fish
• Delicacies: Tuna