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Health benefits
Tuna provides high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids to support brain and cardiovascular health. One serving delivers approximately 30-35 grams of protein and around 6-7 grams of fibre, depending on the pasta used and portion size. The addition of olives and extra virgin olive oil contributes beneficial monounsaturated fats, while fresh basil, capsicum and corn increase antioxidant diversity. When made with wholemeal or legume-based pasta, fibre content increases further to support digestive and metabolic health.
Ingredients
This salad combines farfalle, penne or spiral pasta with tuna, spring onion, sweet corn kernels, feta, pitted olives, diced red capsicum and fresh basil, dressed simply with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper.
How to make Tuna Pasta Salad
Bring a large pot of water to the boil and briefly cook the corn if using fresh cobs, then remove and cool before slicing off the kernels. Salt the water lightly and cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely. In a large bowl, gently break up the tuna and combine with spring onion, corn, feta, olives, capsicum and basil. Add the cooled pasta, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, season well and toss until evenly combined.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve immediately as a balanced lunch or light dinner, ideally with extra leafy greens to increase fibre and phytonutrient diversity. This salad also works beautifully for meal prep, picnics or lunchboxes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and refresh with an extra squeeze of lemon if needed before serving.
Vary Tuna Pasta Salad to suit your dietary needs
For a gluten-free option, choose a quality gluten-free pasta. To make it dairy-free, omit the feta or replace with a dairy-free alternative. For an onion-free version, simply leave out the spring onion. You can also omit the corn if preferred or add extra leafy greens for a lower glycaemic load variation.
For more healthy pasta salad recipes, click HERE.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 corn cob/s – or (1 cup) kernels
- 400 g farfalle pasta – or penne or spirals
- 425 g can tuna
- 6 spring onion/s – white part sliced
- 100 g feta cheese
- 150 g pitted olives (1 cup) approx. halved
- 1 red capsicum/s – diced
- 1 bunch/s fresh basil leaves – leaves picked
- 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon/s – juice
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil. If using fresh corn and you need to cook it, peel the cobs and plunge into the boiling water for a minute or two. Remove and allow to cool.
- Lightly salt the water, add the pasta and cook until al dente, so it still has a slight bite. Drain well, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
- In a large salad bowl, add the tuna and gently break it up with a fork. Stir through the spring onion, corn kernels (cut from cooked corn cobs or use canned or frozen kernels), feta, olives, red capsicum and fresh basil.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl. Drizzle over the olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Serve immediately.
Store
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
Corn-free
Omit the corn.Gluten-free
Choose a gluten-free pasta.Onion-free
Omit the onion.Dairy-free
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My whole family loves this simple bake, it’s become a weekly favourite!
Health benefits
This is a high-protein, high-satiety option that works beautifully for steadier energy and fewer snack cravings later. With wholemeal spelt flour, banana and almonds, you’re also getting a decent fibre hit to support digestion and gut motility. Per serve, it provides about 32 grams of protein if made with 15g protein powder and Greek yoghurt, plus about 7.5 g fibre (made with whole spelt flour).
Ingredients
What makes this one work so well is the simple combo of yoghurt (I use Greek or natural) and egg for moisture and structure, ripe banana for natural sweetness, cinnamon for that classic banana bread warmth, and wholemeal spelt flour (or see variations for GF) for a more sustaining, fibre-friendly base. The slivered almonds add a toasty crunch on top, but they’re totally optional if you’re keeping it nut-free.
If you’re not able to use overripe bananas, you might like to add in more rapadura or coconut sugar.
How to make this protein banana bread pancake
You’ll mix the wet ingredients first so everything blends smoothly, then gently fold in the flour so it stays tender rather than tough. I have tested this with plain white and wholemeal spelt, gluten-free plain flour, and half almond meal/ half buckwheat flour (it is very versatile and works well with all). Baking it in a small tin or skillet helps it cook quickly and evenly, and topping it with banana, almonds and a sprinkle of coconut sugar gives it that golden, bakery-style finish. It’s done when the middle feels firm to the touch and the top is nicely browned.
I cook mine in my Solidteknics AUS-ION™ 22cm Sauteuse, it’s my go-to for reliable, non-toxic cooking. I’ve shared more about why choosing safe cookware is so important HERE.
Serving suggestions and how to store
This high protein banana bread pancake is best served warm, straight from the oven (though you could also make ahead and warm to serve), with extra yoghurt on top. A drizzle of maple syrup or honey is optional, especially if your banana wasn’t super ripe. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently (oven or sandwich press works well). You can also freeze portions for an easy grab-and-go brekkie.
Vary this protein banana bread pancake to suit your dietary needs
If you’re using protein powder, this collagen protein is a great option because it’s flavourless and doesn’t overpower the banana, and a simple whey isolate can also work well if you tolerate dairy. For nut-free, skip the almonds or swap them for sunflower seeds. For gluten-free, use your preferred gluten-free flour, or try a half buckwheat flour, half almond meal combo for a great texture.
Remember you can search our huge collection of protein rich recipes using the RECIPE FILTER one of many fabulous features to make life easier inside the Well Nourished Family membership.
Protein Banana Bread Pancake
Ingredients
- 120 g natural, Greek or coconut yoghurt (½ cup)
- 1 egg/s
- 1 tbsp rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup
- 1 scoop/s protein powder – approx. 15g, see below
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 60 g plain flour of choice (½ cup)
- 1 ripe banana/s – chopped
- 60 g slivered almonds (½ cup)
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar or rapadura
- 1 tsp butter or coconut oil – to grease pan or tin
Serve
- 120 g natural, Greek or coconut yoghurt (½ cup)
- rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup – optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (fan forced).
- In a mixing bowl combine the yoghurt, egg, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, bicarb soda, and ground cinnamon. Mix with a spoon or whisk to combine well.
- Very gently fold in the flour. I have tested this with spelt flour, gluten-free premix plain flour, and half almond meal/ half buckwheat flour (all worked perfectly). It would also work with plain wheat flour.
- Grease a baking tin or small oven proof pan or cast iron skillet (approx. 20cm) with butter or coconut oil. I always use my favourite Solidteknics AUS-ION™ 22cm Sauteuse
- Pour in the batter, top with the sliced or chopped banana, then almonds and coconut sugar.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown and firm to touch in the middle.
Serve
- Serve warm out of the oven with Greek yoghurt or natural yoghurt.
- Drizzle over maple syrup of honey if you like.
Choosing a protein powder
- I love using this collagen protein—it’s flavourless, so it works beautifully across all kinds of recipes without altering the taste. Or a simple whey protein isolate (with no added extra ingredients) are best.
Notes
Nut-free
Omit the almonds or replace with sunflower seeds.Gluten-free
Replace with the gluten-free flour of choice (or half buckwheat flour, half almond meal).Dairy-free
Choose coconut yoghurt and oil to grease the pan.If you don’t have protein powder
Replace it with 1/4 cup of almond meal (they just won’t be quite as protein rich though).I have a feeling this will become a red hot favourite recipe – let me know in the comments if you love it too!
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