Go Back
+ servings
Easy High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Pasta Salad

Easy High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Pasta Salad for Meal Prep

This Easy High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Pasta Salad is a delicious, protein-packed meal perfect for light lunches or potlucks.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Cannellini Beans Substitute with any white beans if desired.
  • 1 cup Cottage Cheese Use a thicker brand like Good Culture for the best results.
  • 1/2 cup Yogurt Substitute with Greek yogurt for a richer flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Mustard Use Dijon or yellow mustard based on preference.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced for better distribution.
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika Substitute with regular paprika for a milder taste.
For the Pasta Salad
  • 7 oz Pasta Use any short pasta like fusilli or elbows, cooked al dente.
  • 4 pcs Eggs Hard-boiled and diced.
  • 8 oz Tuna Use canned tuna in water or oil, drained well.
  • 6.3 oz Sweetcorn Frozen or fresh corn can be used.
  • 4 pcs Gherkins Can substitute with dill pickles.
  • 1 cup Spring Onions Diced.
  • 1 cup Celery Diced.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved or quartered.
  • 1 cup Cucumber Chopped.
  • 1 cup Red Onion Chopped.
  • 4 tbsp Cider Vinegar Substitute with lemon juice if needed.
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Dill Dried dill can be used in smaller quantities.
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Large pot
  • blender or food processor
  • Large mixing bowl

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Hard-Boil the Eggs: Place your eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath to cool completely, peel, and dice.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and prepare your fresh vegetables. Dice celery and spring onions, chop cucumber and red onion, halve or quarter cherry tomatoes, finely dice gherkins, and mince garlic cloves.
  3. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until al dente for 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  4. Make the Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine cannellini beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, minced garlic, mustard, and smoked paprika. Blend until smooth.
  5. Combine the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the dressing with cooled pasta and diced eggs. Fold in drained tuna and sweetcorn, then add cider vinegar, dill, salt, and pepper.
  6. Add the Vegetables: Fold in prepared vegetables just before serving to maintain crunchiness.
  7. Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Adjust seasoning to taste with additional salt or pepper as needed. Serve immediately or chill for enhanced flavor melding.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 7gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Cool the pasta entirely before mixing with the dressing to avoid a soggy salad. Reserve some dressing if making ahead to maintain creaminess.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!