This tuna pasta salad can be served as a cool summer lunch, a cook out side dish, or even passes a dinner entree since it also includes a filling protein of nutritious tuna.

It's brimming with layers of flavor thanks to the lemony dressing, its duo of herbs, the rich tuna in oil, and the various blend of veggies which are a blend of fresh, roasted and marinated.

This is also a great dish to make ahead of time. So if you have a busy day the following day you can prep the day before and have it in the fridge ready to go for serving guests or an on the go meal prep.

Canned tuna got a major upgrade thanks to this recipe!

What is a Tuna Melt?

A tuna melt is similar to a classic hot grilled cheese sandwich but with the addition of tuna salad.

It's layered with a tuna filling made from canned tuna, along with shredded or sliced cheddar cheese, and optional tomatoes and it's all sandwiched between fresh bread slices that are slathered in butter (or mayo!). From there the sandwich is pan-fried until the cheese is melty, the filling has warmed and the bread has taken on a gorgeous golden brown, toasty and crisp exterior. The perfect crunch!

It makes one of the best lunches or a quick and satisfying dinner. And you'll love that it's made with simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have on hand.

Serve it with fresh fruit or vegetables and crisp, salty potato chips for the perfect finish.

Looking for a new twist? Try my Avocado Tuna Salad - it's made with olive oil and no mayo, and who can resist avocado?

Healthy Tuna Salad Recipe

I've been eating tuna salad for as long as I can remember. Grandma made it, Mom made it and now I'm hooked and I turn to it for lunch time and time again.

Canned tuna will forever be one of those things I just truly appreciate. It's easy to store, it's inexpensive and it is always perfect for quick recipes. It's also a great recipe for those watching their nutrition. Tuna is already protein-rich, but you could also stir in some hard-boiled eggs for a tuna egg salad packed with protein. Serve it with cheese and lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Of course, canned tuna is pretty bland as is but when you add some tart fresh lemon, rich and creamy mayo, and some fresh herbs it becomes something that's even fit for a fast dinner.

And who doesn't love those little bits of veggies dotted through for varied textures, flavor, and crunch? It's just simple food at its best! It's a great idea to make a batch to store in your fridge for a quick snack, lunch, or making a tuna melt.

Avocado Tuna Salad Without Mayo

There's no mayo in this healthy tuna salad recipe, yet it's still delicious. I mean, there's avocado so of course it's delicious!

I don't have anything against classic tuna salad — I still make it all the time! — but I was curious to see if it would still be good without it and this olive oil and avocado version definitely makes the cut!

Tuna Sandwiches with a Mediterranean Flare

I've always loved tuna salad sandwiches since my mom made them for me when I was little. Here I've made a more flavorful and exciting twist on tuna salad with the addition of herbs, Greek yogurt, plenty of lemon juice and red onions.

Another thing I chose to do in this recipe is add chickpeas not only to make it more filling but to add more nutritional value and I served it in pita pockets because pita pockets and tuna salad just go together.

I absolutely love chickpeas because I am a huge hummus fan and what's a good, traditional mediterranean hummus without chickpeas? I've been eating hummus on a daily basis with my lunch lately. It's the best way to get my kids (and myself even) to eat a lot of veggies in one sitting.