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It's a twist on the classic casserole!

Is tuna pasta salad a side dish or a main dish? If you ask us, we'd say it's both! It's a perfect easy dinner—filled with chunks of delicious albacore tuna, tons of crunchy fresh vegetables, and pasta—but it's equally great for a cookout!

What's in tuna pasta salad?

Similar to tuna noodle casserole, this pasta salad version has all the classic ingredients, such as tuna, noodles, and frozen peas, but gets more fresh than its casserole cousin with the addition of crunchy celery and bell pepper. The dressing, made from mayonnaise and sour cream, is the perfect creamy binder for the whole dish. The finishing garnish of crunchy potato chips—another nod to the casserole—takes this dish right over the top!

What tuna is best for tuna pasta salad?

While any canned tuna will work, for this recipe, the best bet is canned albacore in water. It comes out of the can in thick chunks, which keeps it from breaking up too much when it's stirred into the pasta salad. Tuna in water is better here, because you don't need the extra oil from oil-packed tuna (which will work fine in a pinch). Regardless of what tuna you use, be sure to drain it before adding it to the salad so that the dressing doesn't get too thin.

Is Tuna Pasta Salad good for you?

Tuna is packed with protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health. While pasta salads generally aren't considered "diet foods," there are several easy substitutions that can make it healthier. First, swap the regular pasta for whole grain pasta. Second, use olive oil mayonnaise, or substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

5-oz. cans albacore tuna, drained