Tuna Sweetcorn Pasta Salad

18 July 2026

Tuna Sweetcorn Pasta Salad

This is the kind of recipe that saves you on a busy day. You probably have most of the ingredients already, and it comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta. It is also one of those rare pasta salads that actually tastes good warm or cold, so it works for lunch the next day too.

At 65p per portion, this is cheaper than any ready meal and far more filling. The combination of tuna, sweetcorn and mayo is a classic for a reason – it just works. The red pepper and red onion add crunch and a bit of sharpness that stops it being heavy.

Total cost: £2.60 (£0.65 per portion) – Serves 4 people. Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 12 mins

Tuna Sweetcorn Pasta Salad

A no-cook pasta salad using storecupboard staples. Ready in the time it takes to boil pasta, and costs under 70p per portion.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: british, Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 300g pasta (penne or fusilli)
  • 1 tin (200g) tuna in spring water, drained
  • 1 small tin (200g) sweetcorn, drained
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 red onion, finely diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the packet instructions, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and white wine vinegar. Stir until smooth.
  3. Add the drained tuna, sweetcorn, red onion, red pepper and parsley to the bowl.
  4. Add the cooled pasta and toss everything together until well coated in the dressing.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for the flavours to develop.

Tips and Variations

Swap the mayo for Greek yoghurt to lighten it up. Add a drained tin of kidney beans to bulk it out further. This keeps in the fridge for 3 days, so it is perfect for meal prep. Add a squeeze of lemon just before serving to wake up the flavours.

Is it cheaper to make this from scratch? Use our Cook vs Buy Calculator to compare the real cost of homemade vs shop-bought.

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