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She shared it in a 1996 cookbook, and we’re ready to give it a shot.

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Key Points

• Cher’s Tuna Pasta Salad is a simple, protein-packed recipe perfect for summer gatherings.
• The dish combines tuna, pasta, fresh herbs and veggies for a flavorful, heart-healthy meal.
• Beau Monde seasoning adds a unique flavor twist to every bite.

Whether you’re a big Cher fan or you just love pasta salad, we’ve got some news you won’t believe. Just in time for those summer get-togethers, we’re turning back time to dig into a Cher recipe from the ’90s: the pop icon’s Tuna Pasta recipe.

Featured in The Sinatra Celebrity Cookbooka 1996 book in which Frank and Barbara Sinatra shared recipes from their friends as a fundraiser for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, the super-easy recipe is part pasta salad, part tuna salad and 100% mouthwatering. What’s more, it contains plenty of flavor-boosting herbs and veggies, like fresh celery, tomato, dill and parsley, making it an even more try-worthy recipe.

The ingredients for Cher’s Tuna Pasta recipe are simple: an 8-ounce package of small shell pasta, two medium tomatoes, a 12-ounce can of tuna, ¼ cup of mayonnaise, two stalks of finely chopped celery, a small can of drained, sliced black olives, some fresh minced parsley and fresh minced dill, salt, pepper and Beau Monde seasoning.

Never heard of Beau Monde seasoning? It’s a blend of spices trademarked by the Spice Islands brand that combines salt, sugar (or dextrose), onion and celery seed. It’s been around since 1941, but it’s still available in grocery stores today.

Making Cher’s pasta salad is easy, too. First, cook the pasta shells according to the directions on the package, then drain the cooked pasta and set it aside. Next, stem and cut an “X” into the bottoms of the tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water for one minute, rinse them under running water to cool and peel them, dice them and remove their seeds. (For a quicker e bet a can of drained petite diced tomatoes would work well here, too.)

Combine the tuna and mayonnaise and mix them together, then add the tomatoes, olives, parsley, celery and dill to the bowl. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Beau Monde seasoning. Next, toss the tuna mixture with the pasta and chill in the fridge for a bit before serving—consider giving it time to sit in the fridge overnight so those flavors really develop.

There’s much to love about Cher’s recipe, including the fact that canned tuna can help support heart health, reduce inflammation in the body and keep you feeling full (thanks to its protein and healthy fat content). Tuna is also a great source of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, so there are lots of reasons to incorporate the canned fish into your diet. (Curious which brand of canned tuna to buy? Our chefs say Tonnino is the best.)

And for those counting, a drained 12-ounce can of tuna—the size Cher calls for in this recipe—would offer about 60 grams of protein. Since the recipe serves four to six people, you’ll enjoy 10 to 15 grams of protein per serving.

Since summer is the time for poolside meals, beach picnics and backyard barbecues, it’s a great time to say “I Got You Babe” to this delicious pasta salad recipe. After all, “Love Can Build a Bridge” to your friends and loved ones, but so can a really delicious meal. Need some more dishes for your next summer gathering? Here are a few we swear by: