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    Home > All Recipes

    Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

    Updated: Sep 3rd 2021 • Published: Jul 15th 2019 • 6 Comments

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    a white bowl of pasta salad with text at the top
    close up on a fork of pasta salad with text at the top
    two pictures of smoked salmon pasta salad with text in the middle

    This simple Smoked Salmon Pasta salad is a delicious make-ahead recipe perfect for a summer picnic or lunch.

    It is easy to scale up and make for a crowd, and uses smoked salmon trimmings to add bags of flavor without excessive cost! Plus it is so simple to make (check out the video to see just how easy!) so you can serve it at a pot luck or summer BBQ.

    Forget soggy pasta salads or overly dry dishes, this is creamy, rich and full of deliciousness!

    a silver fork picking up smoked salmon  and spiral pasta

    Jump Menu

    • Video - how to make the smoked salmon pasta salad
    • How to cook pasta for pasta salad
    • What’s the best pasta for pasta salad?
    • What smoked salmon to use for pasta?
    • How to make a creamy dressing for pasta salad
    • Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe

    Video - how to make the smoked salmon pasta salad

    How to cook pasta for pasta salad

    When making pasta for pasta salad, cook your pasta for 2 minutes longer than the packet suggests as it wants to be softer than if you were serving it hot. This is because when pasta cools the starch in the pasta goes through a process called retrogradation, and this can give cooled pasta the texture of undercooked pasta. So by cooking the pasta for a little longer, it will be a little too soft to serve hot, but when cold it will return to the perfect al dente texture.

    When cooking pasta to serve cold you want to really ensure you salt the pasta water. Salting pasta water is always important, but cold dishes need extra seasoning as the chilled temperature can dull the flavors. So add more salt than normal to your pasta water.

    What’s the best pasta for pasta salad?

    You want to pick a pasta that will hold up to some stirring. So I would avoid things like farfalle (bowtie) pasta.
    These spirals work well, or you can go more traditional with a macaroni. A penne, rotini, or a ziti would also be a good choice.

    a bright blue table with a white bowl of smoked salmon pasta salad on it

    What smoked salmon to use for pasta?

    For this recipe, I suggest buying the packets of smoked salmon trimmings. They are perfect here as the salmon is already cut into small pieces and they work out far more cost effective than the larger slices.

    Either way, ensure the smoked salmon is chopped up into bite-sized pieces, this makes it easier to mix through the pasta salad and also helps ensure that each mouthful has a little smoked salmon in it.

    How to make a creamy dressing for pasta salad

    This pasta salad has a dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream. This creates a wonderful creamy dressing with a little sour edge, perfect for smoked salmon!

    To be healthier you can replace the sour cream with greek yogurt, but the flavor will be different.

    This simple dressing just needs salt and pepper adding to it - as lemon zest, dill and chives will be added to the salad for extra flavor.

    close up on the spiral pasta and fresh herbs in the pasta salad

    Enjoy x

    If you enjoy pasta salads then why not try these other ideas:

    • Peri Peri Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Tomato Orzo Salad
    • Hawaiian Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Mediterranean Pasta Salad (Peas and Crayons)
    • Chicken and Veggie Pasta Salad (Kidgredients)
    • Dill Pickle Pasta Salad (Recipes from a Pantry)
    • Taco Pasta Salad (Sugar and Soul)


    Pin this recipe for Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad. Pin it here.

    a fork lifting up smoked salmon pasta salad with spiral pasta
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    4.50 from 4 votes

    Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe

    This simple Smoked Salmon Pasta salad is a delicious make ahead recipe perfect for a summer picnic or pot luck. Everyone loves pasta salad, and it is easy to make for a crowd! A simple dressing of mayonnaise and sour cream, celery and gherkins for crunch, plus fresh dill and chives to create an easy salad bowl that will please the whole family. Packed with flavor this Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad is perfect for lunch or dinner!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Lunch
    Cuisine: Modern Australian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 228kcal
    Author: Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout
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    Ingredients

    US Customary - Grams
    • 2 cups dried pasta (see note 1)
    • 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoon sour cream
    • ¼ cup celery (chopped)
    • 2 tablespoon gherkins (chopped) (see note 2)
    • 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon fresh chives (chopped)
    • 3 oz smoked salmon (see note 3)
    • 1 lemon
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta in well salted water for 2 minutes longer than the packet suggests. Once cooked, drain and quickly cool the pasta under cold. running water.
    • Mix the mayonnaise and sour cream together in a small bowl, season with salt and pepper.
    • Pour the dressing over the pasta and stir gently to coat the pasta.
    • Add the chopped celery, gherkins, dill and chives to the pasta and then fold together to combine all the ingredients.
    • Add the smoked salmon pieces and stir well.
    • Grate in 1 tablespoon of lemon zest (save the lemon for a G&T later)
    • Garnish with extra dill and chives and serve, or refrigerate for upto 24 hours.

    Notes

    1. You want to pick a pasta that will hold up to some stirring. So I would avoid things like farfalle (bowtie) pasta. Spirals work well, or you can go more traditional with a macaroni. A penne, rotini, or a ziti would also be a good choice.
    2. I like to use baby gherkins in this recipe as they tend to be crunchier and a little less sweet. But use your favorite kind.
    3. This recipe works perfectly with smoked salmon trimmings, making it more cost effective! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 14.8mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sprinklesandsprouts or tag #sprinklesandsprouts

    For more delicious pasta recipes check out:

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    • Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta
    • Shrimp Chorizo Pasta
    • Pasta with Chicken Broth and Butter
    • Easy Garlic Bacon Pasta
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristen says

      August 05, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      This fresh dill just made this pasta salad! Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        August 08, 2019 at 12:42 pm

        I agree so much!!! I love fresh dill, so pleased you enjoyed the pasta 😀

        Reply
    2. Helen says

      August 05, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe shouts luxury... but without too much effort! = my idea of a perfect recipe. Fabulous - thank you for this idea!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        August 08, 2019 at 12:43 pm

        Low effort luxury 😀 I like the way that sounds Helen, thank you so much.

        Reply
        • JEWELMAYA says

          August 29, 2021 at 1:21 am

          What’s the lemon for? You list it on the ingredient list but there is nothing in the actual recipe?

          Reply
          • Claire McEwen says

            September 03, 2021 at 2:21 pm

            Hi there,

            You grate the lemon into the pasta salad with the salmon.
            I mention it in the video but forgot to add it to the instructions, I have updated them now.
            Thanks
            Cx

            Reply

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