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Home / Blog / Pasta Salad with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries

Pasta Salad with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries

November 4, 2015 by carey 73 Comments

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Pasta with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries | A wonderful lunch or snack any time of the year! Crunchy & healthy, it'll be your new family favorite! | WorldofPastabilities.com

Please welcome back Mary Clarke, aka “Cookie”, my mother and the most extraordinarily talented cook I know.  This is her second time as a guest blogger!  She is a former gourmet cooking teacher, has built a successful catering business here in Nashville, and is known for her creative, absolutely delicious flavors, and beautifully garnished dishes.  One can usually find her in her kitchen “headquarters” testing some new creations or teaching one of her grandchildren how to make cookies.  Take it away Cookie!

“Tick tock, tick tock” – does the clock really start running faster after Halloween? (Father Time has surely been slapped with a speeding ticket by now!)
School is back in full force (and may I inject a tribute to all teachers), and Fall transitions us from the slower pace of summer with a big jolt, thrusting us into new routines and tighter schedules with the holidays just around the corner. And we still need food – just faster – and I mean good, nutritious food.

Pasta with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries | A wonderful lunch or snack any time of the year! Crunchy & healthy, it'll be your new family favorite! | WorldofPastabilities.com
“Tick tock”…we head to the market, and what do we see? Flowering mums in vivid colors, pumpkins in all sizes, and glorious apples – yes, apples, apples, and more apples! Interestingly, 7,500 varieties have been identified globally – wow! Most of us feel blessed to be offered up to 10 varieties in any one location.

Pasta with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries | A wonderful lunch or snack any time of the year! Crunchy & healthy, it'll be your new family favorite! | WorldofPastabilities.com
Apples have long been the most popular portable non fridge fruit snack (with bananas and grapes following closely) for both children and adults.  So when I grab an apple and jump in my car, munching joyfully, I’m then faced with how to dispose of the core and always ponder…if I throw it out the window, am I littering or simply nourishing the wayside soil? No, I never do…

Pasta with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries | A wonderful lunch or snack any time of the year! Crunchy & healthy, it'll be your new family favorite! | WorldofPastabilities.com
Back to our need for good food fast, one of my favorite “go to” quickie homemade lunches and/or snacks is easy and packed with good energy from pasta and apples, and protein from tuna! Good lookin’ salad, don’t you think?  You might also want to try our Tuna Pasta Salad with Green Beans.

Perk up your expectations and try this updated take on a time honored classic, tuna salad!  Love it in a wrap too!

Pasta with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries | A wonderful lunch or snack any time of the year! Crunchy & healthy, it'll be your new family favorite! | WorldofPastabilities.com
Side line grandmother’s memory of Fall: When our first born grandson (Carey’s) was in preschool, his teacher greeted the class with this challenge question: Class, tell me, when the weather changes and leaves begin to fall off the trees, what “season” is it? Clarke immediately waved his hand in exuberant enthusiasm, and when called upon, exclaimed, “It’s hockey season!” Thanks to his Dad and love of the sport, he, at 16, still plays the game…sweet memory!

Thank you again, my darling Carey, for asking me to blog yet a second time.  Just felt i needed to get apples in before the pumpkin “mania” delights us to death…but I’m sure Carey, you’ll get your own take on pumpkins soon!

Love,

Mom (Cookie)

Print

Pasta Salad with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries

Pasta with Tuna, Apple, and Dried Cranberries | A wonderful lunch or snack any time of the year! Crunchy & healthy, it'll be your new family favorite! | WorldofPastabilities.com

★★★★★

4.7 from 33 reviews

Pasta Salad with Tuna, Apples, and Cranberries is a perfect lunch or snack! Crunchy and fresh, it’s an everyday favorite! Use any short pasta shape!

  • Author: Carey | World of Pastabilities
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 7 mins
  • Total Time: 22 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
Scale

Ingredients

  • Approximately 1/2 bag or 7-8 ounces pasta, cooked according to package directions. (Use any short shape of pasta)
  • 2 – 5 oz. cans of tuna packed in water, preferably white albacore, drained, or more to taste.
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 large Fuji or Honeycrisp apple, chopped, or any sweet, crisp variety
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted (save some for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup mayo or Miracle Whip (fat free or reduced fat OK)
  • Salt and pepper to taste if needed
  • Romaine lettuce for garnish, or butter lettuce for cups or wraps

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
  2. Carefully combine and toss all ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. Adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve pasta salad over a bed of Romaine lettuce or in individual Butter lettuce leaves as a wrap!
  5. Enjoy!

Notes

1) Amounts of ingredients can be added to or subtracted from, according to what you like best and what you might have on hand.
2) Amount of mayo or Miracle Whip will need to be adjusted either way but use only enough to bind ingredients. This salad is not meant to be “creamy” or “swimming in mayo” like so many others – use just enough – these flavors blend well and crunch happily together on their own.

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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    November 5, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Yum, this sounds healthy and delicious. Apples and cranberries are a great addition.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Kathy B says

    November 6, 2015 at 8:33 am

    I love the idea of this in a lettuce wrap!

    Reply
    • carey says

      November 10, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Wraps are fun to eat…even the kids like it! Thank goodness for PF Changs – I think they were one of the first to use them on a menu!

      Reply
  3. Alice says

    November 10, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    So easy! Tell your mom I can’t stop eating this! Crunchy and refreshing and absolutely delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Denise says

    November 11, 2015 at 6:20 am

    Looks delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Crystal Shuler says

    November 11, 2015 at 6:31 am

    This pasta tuna salad looks and sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it. The apples and cranberries sound great with it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Kathleen Walsh says

    November 11, 2015 at 6:48 am

    A great combination of fruits and tuna. Love it!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    November 11, 2015 at 6:59 am

    Tuna and apples sound like a great combo! Love how healthy and yummy tuna is!

    Reply
  8. shea balentine says

    November 11, 2015 at 7:05 am

    Great recipe! thanks for sharing!

    ★★★★

    Reply
  9. amy guillaume linderman says

    November 11, 2015 at 7:07 am

    i can’t wait to try this! i think my whole family would enjoy the flavors

    ★★★★

    Reply
  10. Liz B says

    November 11, 2015 at 7:15 am

    Looks awesome! I need to try this. I love stuff like this but like my own ingredients. No celery! :). Awesome idea.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • carey says

      November 11, 2015 at 7:23 am

      Thanks Liz! Funny comment about celery!! Enjoy!

      Reply
  11. Lisa Lee Cook says

    November 11, 2015 at 7:21 am

    Sounds good thanks for sharing!

    ★★★★

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth Janik says

    November 11, 2015 at 7:28 am

    Looks really good, would love to try!

    Reply
  13. nancy fiorenza says

    November 11, 2015 at 7:31 am

    my favorite combo tuna and pasta this looks utterly delkcious

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  14. Alicia D says

    November 11, 2015 at 8:28 am

    This looks great

    Reply
  15. renea duffield says

    November 11, 2015 at 8:34 am

    i love pasta salad and yours looks so yummy

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  16. MaryAnn Casey says

    November 11, 2015 at 8:34 am

    Interesting. I know fruit and nuts can go in chicken salad but never thought to put them in a tuna salad. I know what I’m making this weekend!

    Reply
    • carey says

      November 11, 2015 at 9:04 am

      Do try it – you’ll be amazed! I’d love to know what you think afterward!

      Reply
  17. angela grogan says

    November 11, 2015 at 8:45 am

    going to have to try this yummy looking recipe

    Reply
  18. angela grogan says

    November 11, 2015 at 8:45 am

    Going to have to try this yummy looking recipe

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  19. Joe G says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:00 am

    Looks amazing!!

    Reply
  20. Michelle Small says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:01 am

    This looks delicious. Definitely adding to recipes. I make a Chicken salad that is similar with dried cranberries. walnuts, apple, red onion, celery, etc..

    Reply
    • carey says

      November 11, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Chicken Salad sounds amazing too! I’ll have to play with that idea for another blog post! Yum!

      Reply
    • Denise says

      August 17, 2019 at 10:04 am

      Do u have that recipe?

      Reply
      • carey says

        August 26, 2019 at 12:03 pm

        Yes! It’s at the bottom of the blog post…go here:
        https://pastashoppe.com/pasta-salad-with-tuna-apple-and-dried-cranberries/#tasty-recipes-12599

        Reply
  21. Judy Swanson says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:08 am

    This looks soooo good and perfect for this time of year. We are trying to eat healthy in our house, but need new ideas – this is great!

    Reply
  22. Steven Epstein says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:36 am

    I love the combinations. Perfect for lunch to

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  23. Michael Grammer says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Gonna try this one!

    Reply
  24. Erika Chilton says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Thank you for the recipe, this looks great!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  25. alisa says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:16 am

    i love tuna and can’t get enough thanks for the recipe and idea!

    Reply
  26. Katherine Oliveira says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:23 am

    This looks both delicious & easy to prepare. Win win!

    Reply
  27. Jennifer Hedden says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:32 am

    This salad looks delicious! I love anything with pasta and tuna!

    Reply
  28. Sandra U. says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Love this and sounds like something my kids would dig into also!

    Reply
  29. Nicole Margrif says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:44 am

    Love cranberries in the fall months, looks delicious

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  30. amber lee kinnee says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:55 am

    Oh wow, this looks delicious, and something that the whole family would eat! I’m going to make this one for sure.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  31. Ronda Six Garnett says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:58 am

    I will be trying this….Love the combo of apples & cranberries 🙂

    Reply
  32. Jennifer Ha says

    November 11, 2015 at 11:03 am

    yummy i love tuna and pasta together !!!~!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  33. Ilona says

    November 11, 2015 at 11:11 am

    Would Love to try this!

    Reply
  34. sean fiorenza says

    November 11, 2015 at 11:43 am

    wow this looks good and very interesting

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  35. M.G. says

    November 11, 2015 at 11:50 am

    Apples are so versatile this time of year, we love cooking and trying great recipes, we’ll surely try this, thank you!

    Reply
  36. cendy says

    November 11, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Wonderful dish! Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  37. Randi Nemeroff says

    November 11, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    this recipe sounds amazing, I love pasta salad, and this recipe is a million times healthier for you, and sounds so refreshing. I know what I’m bringing to our next potluck!

    Reply
  38. nicole ford says

    November 11, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    wow yummy you just gave me a new idea for tuna it looks amazing

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  39. Kim Davis says

    November 11, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    this sounds good and healthy, Worth a try.

    ★★★★

    Reply
  40. Stacy B says

    November 11, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    This looks amazing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  41. jude says

    November 11, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    The recipe Sounds Yummy

    Reply
  42. Gina N. says

    November 11, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    This looks so nutritiously delicious. I am adding this to my shopping list so I can make it for my family.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  43. Patricia Vazquez says

    November 11, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    This looks so yummy!! 🙂

    Reply
  44. Katie Blankenship says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Way out of my comfort zone… Fruit in salads? TUNA?!? Not my cup of tea.

    Reply
  45. nichole woody says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    I wasn’t hungry until seeing this recipe and now I know what’s for dinner! Thank you! Four stars oonly because I haven’t made it yet… Salivating. Yes, that’s what I’m doing now.

    ★★★★

    Reply
  46. wendy ann sulek says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    This looks delicious!

    ★★★★

    Reply
  47. Nancy Maramonte says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    Looks delicious! Perfect Fall meal!

    Reply
  48. rob fiorenza says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    this looks might tasty gotta give it a try

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  49. Kay says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    You make this look so good! – Kind of a take on the Waldorf salad, with protein. Would work just as nicely with chicken.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  50. Christa Lopez says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    This looks very delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  51. Sheila Vives says

    November 11, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    My mother loves tuna and I have been looking for a new recipe to make her. This sounds fabulous. I am printing it out to try it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  52. Jessica C says

    November 11, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    This is great, we actually make this but add grapes to it as well. So delicious.

    Reply
  53. Stephanie K says

    November 11, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    This looks like a great idea to make for when we have company over for lunch.

    Reply
  54. carol n says

    November 11, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    This Looks delicious. can’t wait to try it

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  55. Michelle Fidler says

    November 11, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Sounds good. I like tuna salad.

    Reply
  56. Annette says

    November 11, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    This looks and sounds delicious. I’ve had tuna in the pantry for a few months, because I couldn’t think of a new way to serve it – I’m tired of tuna sandwiches. I’m going to give this one a try.

    Reply
    • carey says

      November 12, 2015 at 1:23 pm

      Do it!! 🙂

      Reply
  57. Candace Galan-Calderon says

    November 11, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    Looks fresh and yummy!

    Reply
  58. Nancy Reid says

    November 11, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    This unique recipe dresses up the usual ordinary tuna pasta salad. It’s so perfect for a holiday luncheon!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  59. jennifer says

    November 11, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    don’t eat seafood but this would be great using chicken instead or turky!

    Reply
  60. Kirsten says

    November 11, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    #‎WackyWednesday Beautiful presentation and my husband would probably love this. I don’t like tuna so not so much for me. 🙂

    Reply
  61. Alexis T says

    November 11, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    This recipe looks incredibly good

    ★★★

    Reply
  62. Gem says

    November 11, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    #WackyWednesday Simple and delicious. Definitely saving this one for those hot summer days!

    Reply
  63. Jennifer Essad says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    my best friends and I would love this recipe for our lunch when we visit each other #wackywednesday #ongtheblog

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  64. noah bergeron says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    This looks so good!

    ★★★★

    Reply
  65. Kathy Palmer says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:36 am

    Any pasta with any seafood equals delish!! I love them warm or cold.

    Reply
  66. cris says

    November 18, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    Love any dish that has pasta!

    Reply

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