Spicy Tuna White Bean Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

A colorful pasta salad with tuna, white beans, fresh veggies, and a zesty chili-lime dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)

→ Protein & Beans

02 - 1 can (5.6 oz drained) tuna in olive oil or water
03 - 1 can (14 oz drained and rinsed) cannellini or great northern beans

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 small cucumber, diced
08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
10 - Juice of 1 lime
11 - 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
14 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
15 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, drained tuna, white beans, red onion, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley.
03 - Whisk olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, chili flakes, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Protein-packed for sustained energy
  • Zesty chili-lime dressing adds a refreshing kick
02 -
  • Use gluten-free pasta if you have gluten sensitivities
  • Adjust chili flakes to control the spice level
03 -
  • Drain tuna well to prevent the salad from becoming watery
  • Let the salad chill to allow flavors to meld perfectly
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