Tuna Pasta Salad

This classic and awesome Tuna Pasta Salad from Kids Can Cook – the cookbook I grew up with & did lots of my early on my own cooking from. I almost did not get this cookbook when I moved out! My parents would not let me take this cookbook until they copied a few recipes from it: this was a go-to book for its simplicity and reliability, one I still enjoy as a “grown-up” chef 🙂

Feel free to add whatever fresh veggies you have laying around to this (peppers, more tomatoes, asparagus – whatever): the beauty is the perfect simple base that you can add to. The recipe I give you here is what my family adapted this pasta salad to after years of making this. And to be honest – we usually just make it as is without adding more, but more veggies would make it healthier!

Tuna Pasta Salad

from Kids Can Cook

• 6 oz macaroni (elbow or whatever you have 1/2 used in the house already)
• 1/2 cup mayonaise
• < 3 T red wine vinigar
• 1 T dried basil (or 2T fresh)
• 1/4 t granulated garlic
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t pepper
• 2 cans tuna (drained)
• 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup thinly chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green olives

Cook maccoroni according to package directions to al dente. Drain, set aside to cool.

In your covered container combine mayonnaise, vinegar, basil, garlic, salt, & pepper. Whisk together & taste. Then add your tuna into the bowl and break up any chunks of tuna. Add your cooked pasta, onion, olives (and whatever else you want). Mix well. Store in the fridge and enjoy!

And I leave you with a question: What childhood favorite dish do you have as a go-to that is so simple but you will never give up!?