Pasta Salad with Tuna and Lemon Vinaigrette
Pasta Salad with Tuna and Lemon Vinaigrette is a refreshing, versatile dish that combines cooked pasta, flaked canned tuna, and often crisp vegetables like celery, red onion, or bell peppers, all tossed in a bright, tangy lemon-based dressing. While its roots are in Italian-American and broader Mediterranean cuisine, it has become a global picnic and potluck staple due to its ease and make-ahead nature.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a balanced source of carbohydrates from the pasta and protein from the tuna, with healthy fats coming from the olive oil in the vinaigrette and the fish itself. It typically provides a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and B vitamins, with a rough calorie ballpark of 350-500 calories per serving depending on portion size and specific ingredients.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Phosphorus | 250 mg |
| Selenium | 45 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 10 mg |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Magnesium | 40 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Nutritionally, it's a rare example of a satisfying, shelf-stable meal that doesn't require refrigeration for short periods, making it ideal for outdoor events. Culturally, it represents a practical evolution of Italian pantry staples (pasta, canned tuna, olive oil) into a dish that thrives in the convenience-focused, picnic-heavy food cultures of places like the United States and Australia.
