If I cook a pasta dish which uses penne, I always cook extra pasta so that I can make this Easy Penne and Tuna Salad for lunch the day after. I love pasta salads – they are quick and easy. They taste delicious and everything is mixed up in one bowl so it is easy to clean up too.
Start by roasting red bell pepper. If you don’t have leftover pasta, cook the penne according to the package directions. Assemble the salad by combining bell pepper, pasta, arugula, capers, shallots and tuna in a large bowl. Serve with freshly baked bread.
To make my version of Easy Penne and Tuna Salad, you will need the following ingredients:
Preheat the broiler to medium. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Slice the bell pepper in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and membranes and discard. Place the pepper halves on the prepared baking sheet with the skin facing up. Flatten the pepper halves with your hand. Place under the broiler for 15 minutes, until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag and seal and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Peel the skin from the pepper and chop into pieces.
Place 4 quarts of water and 2 teaspoons of salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the penne to the pan of boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse with cold water. Drain well again.
Place the pasta in a large salad bowl along with the bell pepper, pasta, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, arugula, shallots, vinegar, capers, olive oil and tuna. Toss well.
Serve immediately with freshly baked bread.
This Easy Penne and Tuna Salad is a delicious way to use up leftover pasta! Try it out soon and come back to leave a review below with your thoughts.
This salad rocks. So easy to whip up, love the flavors.
Super easy dish. My kids loved it, especially with the roasted peppers. Perfect for a quick lunch after a busy morning. I always make extra pasta for this recipe.
Dude, this salad is so awesome! Perfect for a lazy lunch!
Absolutely love this salad! Super quick and yummy. Perfect for my lunch next day!
I made this Easy Penne and Tuna Salad for lunch after a busy morning. It was so simple and delicious! My kids loved it too. I always cook extra pasta now just for this salad!
Loved this salad! Quick to make after a long day, and tastes even better the next day.
Fantastic meal, I love everything about it and penne is easily my favorite type of pasta, well done perfecting this!
Used bowtie pasta instead and had some cheesy garlic bread with it, was ultra delicious making this again asap.