My mom’s birthday was June 15th, and my dad’s birthday was on June 19th. Suffice it to say, it’s impossible for me not to think of my parents this time of year. Maybe because of this or maybe because summer salad recipes are on my mind, I’ve been craving good old-fashioned tuna pasta salad.

As with most of my mom’s recipes, the ingredients for her cold tuna pasta salad were concise and super simple — macaroni, tuna, Miracle Whip, cheddar cheese, and celery. That’s it. Nothing else other than I’m sure we added salt and pepper at the table. (That was generally a requirement of all of her cooking.) While she was a great mom who cooked more meals for her family of nine children than I could ever begin to imagine, she really didn’t cook with many flavors. Maybe that’s because some of the nine were extremely picky. In any case (God rest her soul), I just can’t bring myself to cook like that!

One, I love flavors! Two, I can’t imagine making a dish that calls for so much mayonnaise or salad dressing because I know it’s not healthy even if it claims to be the best tuna pasta salad recipe in the world! 😉 But my memories of her preparing this during Easter’s lenten season and in again periodically in the summer got me thinking about how I might create a tuna pasta salad recipe without sacrificing the creaminess!

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to a traditional tuna & pasta salad, look no further! This recipe produces creamy tuna pasta salad using non-fat Greek yogurt in place of 2/3 (or more) of the mayonnaise and squeezes in a little bit more veggies to make it slightly more nutritious.

I feel good about eating this tuna and pasta salad this summer! With traveling in more remote areas over the past few weeks and for many weeks of this summer, it’s nice to have some alternatives for lunch. This salad makes meal prep for lunches quick. It would also make a great alternative for picnics on adventure days, make-ahead travel day meals, or just because you miss your mom too! I think my mom would approve. What do you think?

Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad

Ever wonder about making tuna salad with greek yogurt? This healthy tuna pasta salad recipe cuts over half the calories of old-fashioned tuna pasta salad without sacrificing the creaminess or the flavor! This recipe uses non-fat Greek yogurt in place of most of the mayonnaise, and it adds a few more veggies to make it a whole lot healthier without taking out all of the yumminess of traditional tuna macaroni salad!

• Large Pot
• mixing bowl
• spoon/spatula for mixing

• 2 cups Macaroni (uncooked)
• 3/4 cup Mayonnaise
• 10.6 ounces Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 Lemon (juiced)
• 1/2 cup Sweet Pickle Relish
• 1 1/2 tsp Mustard Powder
• 1/2 tbsp Kosher Salt
• 1 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 tsp Celery Seed
• 2 cups Green Peas (frozen, thawed)
• 1/2 Red Onion (minced)
• 2 Celery Stalks (minced)
• 6 ounces Cheddar Cheese (1/4 inch diced)
• 12 ounces Tuna packed in water (well-drained)

1. Cook pasta according to instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside to until cool.

2. Mix mayo, yogurt, spices, pickle relish, and veggies together.

3. Add tuna to the dressing mixture.

4. Fold cheese and cooled macaroni into the dressing with a spatula or mixing spoon..

5. Serve or put in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Feel free to lighten this salad up further by omitting the cheese.

Not a fan of tuna?  I think this would be equally delicious with chicken!

Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

American

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