Description
Delightful Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad brings Mediterranean flavors right to your plate, blending creamy textures with rich, smoky fish. Light and refreshing, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this simple yet elegant summer classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cold smoked salmon, flaked or sliced
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) short pasta (fusilli, farfalle, or penne)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup capers (optional)
Herbs, Dressing, and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or more to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by following the manufacturer’s cooking instructions, ensuring al dente texture. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process and cool the pasta rapidly.
- Create a vibrant dressing by whisking together creamy yogurt, tangy mayonnaise, fragrant olive oil, zesty lemon juice, sharp mustard, and aromatic fresh dill. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with delicate smoked salmon, juicy diced tomatoes, crisp cucumber, pungent red onion, briny capers, and a sprinkle of fresh dill and chives.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring an even coating without breaking the delicate salmon pieces.
- Refrigerate the salad for 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. Before serving, optionally garnish with additional fresh herbs or a light dusting of lemon zest to brighten the dish.
Notes
- Customize the pasta type to suit dietary needs, like gluten-free or whole wheat options for added nutrition.
- Swap Greek yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond yogurt to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Control the sodium levels by using low-sodium smoked salmon and reducing capers if watching salt intake.
- Enhance meal prep efficiency by preparing dressing and chopping vegetables in advance, allowing quick assembly when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 30mg