This simple but filling and flavour packed Salmon Pasta Salad is ready in just 20 minutes. Delicious as either a main or a BBQ or picnic side, it’s easy to adapt, has lots of crunch and a zesty dressing that makes it perfect for summer. It’s also a great lunch to pack up for work or in a school lunch box.
Salmon Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are a must during the summer. You can throw all your favourite salad ingredients in to a bowl with some freshly cooked pasta and flaked grilled salmon and bring it all together with a sweet and zesty dressing. This is a great dish to feed a crowd, which is why we always make a big batch for a BBQ.
We make it a different way every time, because it’s the perfect dish for raiding your fridge for and using up all those salad ingredients that are getting past their best. We try to make sure there is always some greens (spinach, asparagus and romaine this time), a good amount of tomatoes (including sun dried tomatoes) and lots of herbs.
Canned Salmon or Fresh Salmon?
When grilled some fresh salmon fillets as they get nice and crispy which adds some extra texture to the dish. However, you could easily use a can of salmon in this, or even tuna, mackerel or pilchards. No need to buy extra ingredients if you already have something else that can be used. We have also made this with leftover smoked salmon which was really good.
Can You Use Chicken Instead?
I am guessing you haven’t found your way to this recipe if you don’t like salmon. But, if you fancy a change, then the fish can be swapped for chicken. Either grill a chicken breast and cut in the chunks, or you can mix in some leftover shredded chicken.
Salad Dressing
A dressing can really make or break a salad, and it’s what brings all the ingredients together I think. Because this is a fish based recipe, we wanted something with citrus and lots of herbs. You will find plenty of lemon juice and zest in this, as well as being packed with fresh basil and dill.
We love a little sweetness in a summer salad, so we used balsamic vinegar in the dressing. If you don’t want a hint of sweetness, then feel free to swap it for something like apple cider vinegar. Mustard adds a nice kick of flavour to a dressing, so there is a spoonful of dijon in this.
We went the salad dressing route with this, but if you wanted a more traditional (like a store bought) pasta salad, then a creamy dressing might be the way to go. You could use mayo, yoghurt or creme fraiche.
What Vegetables To Include
This is a great fridge raid meal, so feel free to adapt it to use whatever you have in your fridge. We used spinach and romaine to give it a green boost and then it had some asparagus and tomatoes in it.
You could also add some grilled veggies like courgette, peppers, mushrooms and onions or keep it more fresh salad like with some chopped cucumber and raw peppers.
Can This Be Made in Advance?
If you are making this for a BBQ or picnic, or even to take to work for lunch, then this can definitely be made in advance. It is best eaten after a few hours being kept in the fridge, but it would keep for 2 days.
How To Make a Salmon Pasta Salad – Step by Step:
One: Place the salmon under the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes.
Two: Boil the pasta for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
Three: Prepare the vegetables.
Four: Three minutes before the pasta is ready, add the asparagus to the pan.
Five: Once the pasta is cooked, put in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
Six: Mix well and serve.
Other Pasta Salad Recipes To Try:
Greek Pasta Salad
Cold Chicken Pasta
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Mexican Pasta Salad
Lemon and Herb Pasta Salad
Chicken Pasta Salad
Some extra tips for this Salmon Pasta Salad:
- Although we used fresh grilled salmon, you could use canned salmon instead. Or even tuna, mackerel or pilchards.
- Not a fan of salmon? You could grill some chicken and chop it up or use some leftover shredded chicken.
- If you want a more traditional pasta salad dressing, swap our salad dressing for mayo, yoghurt or creme fraiche to make it creamy.
- This is a great fridge raid meal, so feel free to adapt the ingredients to use whatever you have in your fridge when it comes to vegetables.
- You can make this in advance and it will keep in the fridge for about 2 days.
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Salmon Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 240 g Salmon fillets
- 150 g wholewheat pasta
- 100 g asparagus chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 50 g spinach chopped
- 40 g romaine lettuce chopped
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 50 g sun dried tomatoes chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 lemon juice and zest only
Instructions
- Place the salmon under the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Boil the pasta for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
- Prepare the vegetables.
- Three minutes before the pasta is ready, add the asparagus to the pan.
- Once the pasta is cooked, put in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
- Mix well and serve.
Video
Notes
- Although we used fresh grilled salmon, you could use canned salmon instead. Or even tuna, mackerel or pilchards.
- Not a fan of salmon? You could grill some chicken and chop it up or use some leftover shredded chicken.
- If you want a more traditional pasta salad dressing, swap our salad dressing for mayo, yoghurt or creme fraiche to make it creamy.
- This is a great fridge raid meal, so feel free to adapt the ingredients to use whatever you have in your fridge when it comes to vegetables.
- You can make this in advance and it will keep in the fridge for about 2 days.
This post was originally published on 2nd February 2013 and updated on 1st May 2019.
Mary says
2nd February 2013 at 5:56 pmThank you Dannii. Your recipes have helped me lose 5lbs this week.
Patricia says
2nd February 2013 at 5:27 pmI love that you don’t see any individual food as good or bad. I totally agree. Was it you that said there are only some choices better than others?
kate says
2nd February 2013 at 5:03 pmI might make this with smoked salmon as I am craving it so much at the moment. Don’t worry – I am pregnant!
tiffany says
2nd February 2013 at 4:40 pmThis looks delicious.
Holly says
2nd February 2013 at 4:29 pmI have no food in the house and all your photos are making me so hungry lol. I am going to make this tomorrow night for my lunch on Monday. I am in such a lunch rut at the moment. I’m bored of sandwiches and wraps.
Natalie says
2nd February 2013 at 4:23 pmI have loads of salmon in the freezer than I was wondering what to do with. I usually just have it with a sweet potato and broccoli. I never thought to add it to pasta to take to work. I think my kiddies would enjoy this for their lunch too. Thanks hunni.