Name: Mediterranean Tuna & Olive Cavatappi Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package cavatappi pasta; 2 cups mayonnaise; 2 (11 ounce) cans albacore tuna, drained; 1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives; 4 stalks celery, chopped; 0.5 medium white onion, chopped; kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste

Salad

Cavatappi Pasta Salad with Tuna and Olives

Sep 20, 2025
by Abbie Donnelly
- 4.0 / 5 ( 1 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

10 mins
COOK TIME

15 mins
TOTAL TIME

25 mins
SERVING

8 People
VIEWS

3

Elevate your pasta salad game with this delightful Cavatappi Pasta Salad. Featuring tender pasta, flaky tuna, briny olives, and crisp vegetables all coated in a creamy dressing, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser perfect for any gathering.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

1 (16 ounce) package cavatappi pasta

2 cups mayonnaise

2 (11 ounce) cans albacore tuna, drained

1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives

4 stalks celery, chopped

0.5 medium white onion, chopped

kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

47 g
Cholesterol

45 mg
Fiber

3 g
Protein

29 g
Saturated Fat

8 g
Sodium

823 mg
Sugar

1 g
Fat

53 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

10 mins

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the cavatappi pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 9-10 minutes). Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl. (Prep time: 15 minutes)

02

Step

5 mins

Combine Ingredients: Add the mayonnaise, drained tuna, sliced black olives, chopped celery, and chopped white onion to the bowl with the pasta. (Prep time: 5 minutes)

03

Step

5 mins

Mix and Season: Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. (Prep time: 2 minutes)

04

Step

0 mins

Chill and Serve: For best flavor, cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together. Serve cold and enjoy! (Chill time: 30+ minutes)

For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Add a splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to the dressing for extra tang.
Feel free to customize this salad with other ingredients such as chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, or fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
Make ahead: This pasta salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Abbie Donnelly

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.