PASTA SALAD WITH TUNA, OLIVES AND LEMON ZEST

This is a speedy pasta salad packed with Mediterranean flavors, so good and ready in 10 minutes.

Olives, tomatoes and tinned fish is one of my favourite budget-friendly combinations, it works great with so many things including this pasta salad.

But the star of the dish here is the beautiful lemon zest: refreshing, vibrant and zesty.  Lemon zest, alongside thinly sliced celery for extra crunch, takes this simple pasta salad to the next level, surprisingly fresh, good and satisfying.

Basic and inexpensive ingredients, always come in handy, and guarantee to lighten up any run-of-the-mill dish.

What you need for this recipe:

• Wholewheat pasta or other grains
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Tuna or other canned fish
• Lemon
• Extra virgin olive oil and salt

	Ready in 10 MINUTES.
	Go for wholewheat pasta, less processed than white pasta, is made from the entire grain including bran, endosperm, and germ and it keeps its fiber content and many other nutrients. Fiber is an important part of your diet, as it prevents constipation, helps control blood sugar and reduces the appetite, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Research shows that eating three servings of whole grain food per day may help you live longer. Adding some canned fish like Tuna provides high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Fresh raw tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, folates and lycopene, a great anti-oxidant with anticancer effect. Tomatoes are also beneficial for skin and eye health. Olives and Extra virgin olive oil both feature a long list of benefits to your overall health. However, one of the most important benefits is the anti-inflammatory effect lowering your chances of cancers and oxidative stress.
	You can swap cherry tomatoes with cheaper tomatoes, just make sure to drain the excess seeds and water. Cost of the recipe: approx. $ 6 (4-6 servings)

This is a light, tasty and one of the most crowd-friendly dishes for your summer gatherings, or just the thing when you get home late or don’t feel like cooking. 

If you like this flavorsome pasta, you might also try this yummy salad packed with olives, tuna and beans.

Print Recipe

PASTA SALAD WITH TUNA, OLIVES AND LEMON ZEST

A speedy pasta salad packed with Mediterranean flavors like tomatoes, olives, tuna and refreshing lemon zest. Good, inexpensive and ready in 10 minutes.

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: pasta, Salad

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. whole wheat pasta like fusilli, penne... (450 grams)
• 1 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half (approx 300 grams)
• 1 cup olives, pitted (approx 100 grams)
• 1 5oz-can tuna chunks, in oil or in water (140 grams)
• 2 stalks celery, finely sliced
• 1 lemon, juice and zest
• 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Cook pasta following pack instructions, drain, then rinse under cold water and drain again. 

  Dress your pasta when cold, not warm.
• While pasta is boiling, cut tomatoes, grate lemon zest and place all the other ingredients in a large salad bowl. 
• Season with plenty of salt and freshly ground pepper and toss well.
  
• Add cooked pasta to the other ingredients and mix thoroughly, taste and season again before serving. 
  
• Pasta salad gets better as it rests and it tastes even better the next day.

Notes

• Refrigerate up to 3 days.