Salmon Pasta Salad
This refreshing Salmon Pasta Salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. This dish combines tender, flaky salmon with a creamy homemade dressing, pasta, and fresh vegetables for a great mix of flavors and textures. This dish is quick to prepare and easy to customize as an excellent choice for meal prep, picnics, or any time you want a nutritious meal.
Servings 5 servings
Calories 644kcal
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1- 1 ½ pounds raw salmon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika Regular paprika is fine.
- salt and pepper to taste
Pasta Salad
- 8-10 oz rotini pasta
- 1– 1 ½ cups mayo plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream Start with ½ cup and add additional if needed to get the dish creamier.
- 2-3 cups fresh or steamed broccoli
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced olives
Homemade Ranch Seasoning (You can also use store-bought seasoning and season to taste)
- 1 teaspoon chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil all over the salmon. Sprinkle the spices throughout and rub them into the salmon. Ensure the salmon is completely covered with spices and add additional if necessary.
Air Fryer Salmon
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the seasoned salmon in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the salmon for 10-12 minutes at 370 degrees. Mine was ready right at 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and test that the inside of the salmon has reached 145 degrees.
- Cool and then flake the salmon into smaller pieces using a fork.
Baked Salmon
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Add the seasoned salmon to a piece of foil large enough to hold the salmon and to wrap and cover it.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Unwrap the salmon so it is no longer fully covered. Bake for for another 2-5 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and ensure the fish has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the fish.
- Cool and then flake the salmon into smaller pieces using a fork.
Pan Seared Salmon
- Place a skillet on medium-high heat with olive oil to coat and prevent sticking.
- When the pan is hot, add the seasoned salmon to the pan with the skin side up.
- Allow the salmon to cook for 4 minutes. Do not move the salmon after you have placed it in the skillet.
- Monitor the sides of the salmon to determine the perfect time to flip. When the color of the side of the salmon has lightened about ¾ths of the way up, it’s time to flip. This usually only takes 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the salmon. I find a silicone spatula works best.
- Cook skin side down for 4 minutes.
- Remove the salmon from the pan. Cool and then flake the salmon into smaller pieces using a fork.
Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta in accordance with the package instructions.
- Rinse the pasta in cold water and pat dry.
- Add the mayo, Greek yogurt, or sour cream (whatever you chose) to your serving dish along ranch seasoning.
- Add the pasta, cooked salmon, and remaining ingredients. Taste repeatedly and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Chill for an 1-2 hours if desired or serve immediately.
Notes
- Make this pasta salad yours! Load it up with the vegetables that you like.
- You can double the recipe by using double the ingredients.
- If you use a ranch seasoning packet if you wish, start with 2 tablespoons.
- If you like a wet pasta salad, then serving immediately after chilling the dish will work best for you. You may find that you need additional mayo or sour cream (Greek yogurt). Add additional to suit your taste and texture needs.
- You can use ranch dressing or any salad dressing if you wish to substitute mayo, Greek yogurt, or sour cream
- Add additional seasoning to suit your taste if necessary.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 45g