Do you know when you crave a fresh, quick, and super tasty dish that solves your lunch or dinner without stress? I have my salvation: cold pasta with pesto, cherry tomatoes, and tuna.
It’s an easy recipe that I prepare all year round, but in summer it becomes a must. Perfect for when you don’t want to stay by the stove for too long and want something tasty to prepare in advance.
This summer pasta salad has everything you need: the pesto adds creaminess and fragrance, the cherry tomatoes add freshness and color, and the tuna completes it with that savory touch that always fits well.
I use well-drained tuna in oil and cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters so they release a bit of juice that mixes with the dressing. Sometimes I also add some cubed mozzarella or a few black olives to give it more character, but it’s already delicious as it is.
The beauty is that it’s a quick and versatile cold pasta recipe, also ideal to take to work, for a picnic, or for a light dinner with friends. And then everyone always likes it, even the little ones.
If you want to make the dish even more complete, I recommend using whole wheat or spelt pasta for a more nutritious and healthy version.
Additionally, it’s a great idea if you’re looking for summer recipes with pesto or one-dish meals to prepare in advance and enjoy at your leisure.
I hope that, like me, it will become one of those dishes you remake every time you don’t know what to cook but want something good and practical.😊
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Affordable
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Ingredients
- 5.6 oz tuna in olive oil
- 7 oz cherry tomatoes
- 3.5 oz Genoese pesto
- 12 oz pasta
- oil, salt, basil
- parmesan shavings to taste
Tools
- non-stick pan
- stainless steel pots
- colander
Steps
To prepare the cold pasta with pesto, cherry tomatoes, and tuna, start by boiling water to cook the pasta.
In the meantime, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them. Place them in a bowl with a generous drizzle of oil, salt, and fresh basil. Mix and add the tuna.
After cooking the pasta, drain it, cool it down, and place it in a salad bowl.
Dress it with pesto and a splash of extra virgin olive oil. Add the tomatoes and mix.
Add parmesan shavings and keep in the fridge until ready to serve.

