Salmon Pasta Salad - A Delicious Way to Use Salmon!

Published: Feb 5, 2011 · Modified: May 4, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 54 Comments

This salmon pasta salad recipe pairs tender, flavorful salmon chunks with broccoli in a creamy, savory sauce. It works well as a main course or side dish!

overhead view of salmon pasta salad in bowl

My hubby has been on a real salmon kick lately. I’m not going to complain because it’s better than some of his other kicks. He's the type of person who can literally eat the same meal for a month straight and not get sick of it. And then he'll get so sick of it, he never has it again, lol!

One of our favorite ways to cook salmon is poached in salted water with onion, garlic, dill, bay, and black pepper (or whole peppercorns). Cooked this way, we eat our salmon with a little drizzle of olive oil on top. Paired with sides like asparagus and wild rice, it's a simple meal we both enjoy.

This meal is fantastic, being both delicious and healthy! But even so, variety is the spice of life and one night I wanted to switch it up a little.

I looked in my pantry and found what I think is the cutest little pasta shape: campanelle! And the idea of salmon salad immediately came to mind.

salmon pasta salad on white plate on wooden table

In This Article

Easy Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe

In this creamy salmon pasta salad, we replace half of the mayo with Greek yogurt. (Sour cream would work just as well!) And then since it reminded me a little bit of lox and cream cheese, I added other ingredients that are normally found with this pair, like red onion, capers, and dill.

If you’re like us and eat a lot of salmon and are looking for new ways to make it, this recipe is a nice change from the ordinary. It works as cold main dish (which is perfect in hot summer months!) or as a side dish. It serves 3 as a main dish or 6 as a side dish.

campanelle pasta on wooden table — *Cute Campanelle Pasta*

Ingredients

In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas. For the full recipe (including ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.

Poached Salmon Ingredients:

Onion, garlic, fresh dill sprigs, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper - these savory aromatics are for the poaching liquid that we use to cook the salmon.
Salmon fillets - for best quality, head to your local fishmonger or seafood market if your area has one

Pasta Salad Ingredients:

Small pasta - I used campanelle pasta, but you can use any small pasta shape you like
Fresh broccoli florets - we cook this along with the pasta during the last 2 minutes of the pasta's cooking time
Red onion - this adds savory piquant flavor to our dish; if you're not a fan of raw onion, you can chop it, soak it in cold water for 15 minutes (let it start soaking before you start cooking the pasta so they're done around the same time), drain it and pat dry, and then add the onion to the salad
Fresh dill - dill is a really great pairing with salmon, especially in a creamy base like what we have in this pasta salad; if you don't have fresh dill, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon dried dill instead
Capers - if you like a bagel with lox, cream cheese, and capers, you're going to love the addition of capers to this salmon pasta salad; capers add a bright, tangy component to help wake up the other flavors
Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt - or you can use sour cream
Mayo - for rich, creamy texture and flavor
Fresh lemon juice - to brighten the flavor of the creamy dressing
Dijon mustard - we only need a little bit to add a touch of sharpness and help cut through the rich flavors
Fresh parsley - adds flavor and a pretty pop of green color
Salt and black pepper - to season the dish
Black sesame seeds - this is an optional garnish; you can substitute with white sesame seeds if you have them on hand

close up top view of creamy pasta salad with salmon

How to Make Salmon Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Broccoli:

Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli to cook along with pasta, and then drain and cool completely.

Step 2: Poach the Salmon:

Put the yellow onion, garlic, dill sprigs, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper in a small skillet with a lid. Add enough water to coat the bottom of the skillet by about 1 inch.

Bring the water up to a gentle boil, and then add the salmon and turn heat down to a gentle simmer. Cover skillet and cook until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, about 5 minutes, being careful not to overcook.

Transfer the salmon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain water, let it cool, and then cut or flake it into large bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Combine:

Add the red onion, dill, capers, Green yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl, and stir to combine. Stir in the pasta and broccoli, and then gently fold in the salmon so you don't break it up too much.

Step 4: Finishing Touches:

Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired. If you have the time, chill the pasta salad for 30 minutes before serving. To serve, sprinkle the black sesame seeds on top.

Pro Tip: Fold the Salmon in Gently

This is to avoid breaking it up too much. It's really nice to see large chunks or flakes of salmon in this dish!

close of large salmon flake in creamy pasta salad on white plate

Salmon Pasta Salad FAQs

Can I Use Canned Salmon in This Recipe?

Yes! If you have canned salmon on hand, use up to 12 ounces of drained canned salmon in this pasta salad. I like the Safe Catch Wild Caught Boneless Skinless Pacific Pink Salmon, which is available on Amazon.

What Vegetables Can I Add to Salmon Pasta Salad?

Broccoli is a delicious, nutrient-rich addition to this pasta salad. If you want to add more vegetables, any of the following would be delicious:

Green peas - frozen green peas work well, just make sure to thaw and drain them first
Chopped red bell pepper - this adds a gorgeous pop of red color to the dish
Diced carrot - for crunch and a slight sweetness
Sliced celery - for crunchy texture and to bulk up the salad

How Long Does Salmon Pasta Salad Last in the Fridge?

Store this pasta salad covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I Heat Up Salmon Pasta?

This salmon pasta salad is meant to be served chilled. The creamy mayo and yogurt-based dressing wouldn't do well heated up. That makes it even easier to enjoy this though - there's no need to heat up leftovers!

serving of creamy poached salmon pasta salad on plate with fork

More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes to Make

Let's Connect

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