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Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

August 6, 2024 (Last Updated: August 9, 2024) by Chris Collins

Here I’ll show the easiest and most delicious way to whip up a salmon pasta salad!

Although this might seem like a side dish, it’s way too easy to make for a quick and easy dinner! Follow me…

close up shot of salmon pasta salad garnished with dill

Bagel Croutons

Where there’s smoked salmon, there’s often bagels. And where there’s salad, there’s quite often croutons. You see where I’m going with this 😂.

These are essentially my Bagel Chips, just repurposed as croutons. Really simple to make – just slice up a bagel, coat in oil and salt and bake until crisp. You’ll want to leave them to completely cool, just so they don’t warm up the salad and turn the dressing greasy. They’ll also crisp up as they cool.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, just allow them to cool completely, then tightly store them at room temp.

Process shots: slice bagel (photos 1&2), bake (photos 3&4).

4 step by step photos showing how to make bagel croutons

Salmon Pasta Salad Dressing

The dressing for this pasta salad is really simple and binds everything together so beautifully. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Sour Cream & Mayo – these create the base of the dressing. Make sure they’re both full-fat for a fuller flavour!
  • Herbs – fresh chives and dill pair beautifully with the salmon and bring this salad to life.
  • Lemon Juice – I like a good amount of lemon juice to balance out the rich flavours and brighten everything up.
  • Mustard – a small amount of Dijon mustard adds a very gentle background flavour.
  • Seasoning – some sugar will help balance the flavours. I like a good amount of black pepper to add a little ‘spice’. I only add a small pinch of salt as there are other salty ingredients in the salad.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yep! Just tightly store in the fridge until needed.

Process shots: add ingredients to bowl (photo 1), stir to combine (photo 2).

3 step by step photos showing how to make salmon pasta salad dressing

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

For the salad itself, I love using orzo. You’ll want to cook it until al dente, then drain and thoroughly rinse in cold water until completely cool. Make sure you give it a good shake to get rid of the excess water.

From there, here’s what you’ll need for the fillings:

  • Cucumber – this is great to break up the other rich, saltier flavours.
  • Red Onion – only a small amount because we’re already adding chives.
  • Capers – these pair beautifully with salmon and add loads of flavour to the salad.
  • Smoked Salmon – just roughly tear or slice.
  • Dressing – as discussed.
  • Croutons – as discussed.

It’ll seem quite saucy at the start, but the dressing soon starts to get soaked up by everything.

Process shots: add orzo, cucumber, red onion and capers to bowl (photo 1), stir with dressing (photo 2), add salmon and croutons (photo 3), stir to combine (photo 4).

4 step by step photos showing how to make smoked salmon pasta salad

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad FAQ

Can I use fresh salmon?

I like using smoked salmon because it adds loads of flavour and doesn’t need cooking. You could cook some raw salmon (preferably smoked) then leave to completely cool and break up into the pasta if you’d prefer.

Can I make the whole salad ahead of time?

If you want to make it ahead of time leave out the croutons and store them in an airtight container at room temp, then stir in before serving. Keep the pasta salad tightly covered in the fridge.

Is there anything else I could add?

I think avocado would go nicely. I also toyed with cherry tomatoes, so you could try that if you fancy!

close up shot of smoked salmon pasta salad in very large bowl

Serving Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

The croutons actually hold up pretty well and stay crunchy for 30 mins or so, but obviously the sooner it’s served the better. If you have any leftover dill you could sprinkle that over to serve!

For another similar pasta salad check out my Tuna Pasta Salad! 

For ALL my pasta salads check out my list of Incredible Pasta Salads!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this salmon pasta salad shall we?!

overhead shot of salmon orzo pasta salad in small white bowl on wooden chopping board

How to make Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad (Full Recipe & Video)

close up shot of salmon pasta salad garnished with dill

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

Here I'll show the easiest and most delicious way to whip up a salmon pasta salad!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Servings (click & slide): 4
Course: Dinner / Lunch / Main Course / Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian / Western
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories per serving: 662kcal
Cost per serving: ÂŁ3.50 / $4

Equipment:

  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
  • Small Baking Tray
  • Large Pot & Colander (for pasta)
  • Small Mixing Bowl (for dressing)
  • Large Mixing Bowl (for combining everything)

Ingredients (check list):

Dressing

  • 120g / 1/2 cup full-fat Mayo
  • 120g / 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 heaped tbsp finely diced Fresh Chives
  • 1 heaped tbsp finely diced Fresh Dill
  • 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 tsp EACH: Sugar, Black Pepper, or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp Salt, or to taste (see notes)

Pasta Salad

  • 1 Bagel, sliced into semi-circles
  • 300g / 1 1/2 cups / 10.5oz uncooked Orzo (see notes)
  • 200g / 7oz Smoked Salmon, roughly torn/sliced
  • 150g / 5.3oz Cucumber, sliced in to small pieces
  • 2 1/2 tbsp Capers
  • 1/2 small Red Onion, finely diced
  • Olive Oil or Oil Spray, for croutons

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Add the bagel chips to a baking tray and spray or drizzle with oil. Toss in a pinch of salt then bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crisp. Leave to completely cool (they'll crisp up more as they cool).
  • Meanwhile, add the orzo to salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool. Give it a really good shake to remove excess water.
  • As the pasta is cooking combine all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
  • In a large bowl, combine the drained/rinsed orzo, cucumber, capers, onion and dressing. Stir in the croutons and salmon until everything is evenly distributed then serve and enjoy!

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Bagel - I just use regular plain bagels, but have used the red onion & chive ones before, which work well! It's important that you let the croutons cool so they don't warm the dressing and turn it gloopy. They will hold up pretty well and stay crunchy for a good 30 mins or so.
b) Salt - I only add a small amount to the dressing as the capers and salmon add a good amount of salt to everything. You can adjust with more salt after everything has combined if you'd like.
c) Orzo - I love using orzo for this recipe, but you could sub other small pasta like macaroni. If you are, work to the weight comparison (i.e. 300g / 10.5oz)
d) Salmon - I like using smoked salmon because it adds loads of flavour and doesn't need cooking. You could cook some raw salmon (preferably smoked) then leave to completely cool and break up into the pasta if you'd prefer.
e) Consistency - There will be a fair bit of dressing at the start but as you mix everything it gets soaked in.
f) Make ahead - If you want to make it ahead of time leave out the croutons and store them in an airtight container at room temp, then stir in before serving. Keep the pasta salad tightly covered in the fridge.
g) Calories - Whole recipe divided by 4.

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 662 Calories from Fat 294
% Daily Value*
Fat 32.67g50%
Saturated Fat 7.688g38%
Trans Fat 0.056g
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.13g
Monounsaturated Fat 8.127g
Cholesterol 40mg13%
Sodium 883mg37%
Potassium 484mg14%
Carbohydrates 75.28g25%
Fiber 9.9g40%
Sugar 3.74g4%
Protein 18.75g38%
Vitamin A 468IU9%
Vitamin C 5.1mg6%
Calcium 64mg6%
Iron 2.23mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

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5 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  • Reply
    Jane
    August 7, 2024 at 9:57 am

    5 stars
    This looks so good. I can’t wait to try.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      August 7, 2024 at 10:15 am

      Hope you enjoy, Jane! 🙂 C.

    5 KNOCKOUT

    DINNERS

    YOU'LL NEVER STOP MAKING!

    A FREE EMAIL SERIES, FROM ONE FOODIE TO ANOTHER