Creamy Ranch Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

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This Creamy Ranch Tuna Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for potlucks, quick lunches, or light dinners. It’s packed with flavors from cheddar cheese, canned tuna, ranch seasoning, juicy diced tomatoes, and sweet grapes, creating a delightful balance of savory and slightly sweet.

Using penne pasta ensures a hearty texture, while the creamy dressing ties everything together. This easy-to-make recipe is not only delicious but also a great way to incorporate protein and fresh ingredients into your meal.

You can even make an amazing ranch seasoning mix yourself that improves the flavor by far! And the canned tuna makes it budget friendly, and easy to prepare in just minutes. The only thing you have to cook is the pasta!

Ranch Tuna Pasta Salad

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Creamy Ranch Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Creamy, rich tuna pasta salad with crisp fruits and vegetables and inexpensive, easy canned tuna.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Chill Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: canned tuna, Creamy ranch tuna pasta salad, Pasta salad, tuna pasta salad

Servings: 6

Calories: 540kcal

Author: Christina

Ingredients

For the Pasta Salad:

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 5 oz cans tuna, drained and flaked
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grapes halved
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup celery chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion finely diced

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
• Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic, black pepper, and salt.
• Mix until smooth and well combined.
• Set aside.
• To the cooled pasta, add tuna, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, grapes, celery, and red onion.
• Pour the creamy ranch dressing over the salad.
• Toss everything together until evenly coated.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
• Chill & Serve

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 680mg | Potassium: 428mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 455IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 198mg | Iron: 2mg

More Tuna Recipes

For more ideas using economical and convenient canned tuna, check these out:

• This Healthy Tuna Wrap Recipe is quick, easy, and good for you too!
• A Tuna Melt Sandwich is rich, melty, and ooey gooey goodness!
• Easy Tuna Croquettes Recipe with Canned Tuna are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside for the perfect balance of texture and full of flavor!

Tips & Variations

Make It Healthier:

• Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber.
• Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
• Add more fresh vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, fresh peas, or even corn.

Add Extra Flavor:

• Stir in crispy bacon bits for a smoky crunch.
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicy kick.
• Add a handful of chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans) for extra texture. You could even use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a delicious crunch and extra flavor and nutrition.

How to Store:

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Do Not Freeze: The creamy dressing does not freeze well and may separate.