This Creamy Salmon Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines perfectly cooked salmon, tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy dressing. Flavored with homemade ranch seasoning, this salad is a deliciously refreshing option for a main course or a side dish. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a quick dinner.
Ingredients:
For the Salmon:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1–1½ pounds raw salmon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika is fine)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta Salad:
- 8–10 oz rotini pasta
- 1–1½ cups mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream (start with ½ cup and adjust for desired creaminess)
- 2–3 cups fresh or steamed broccoli
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced olives
Homemade Ranch Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season the Salmon: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare a skillet on medium heat. Rub the salmon with olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Salmon: Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork. Sear the salmon for 4–5 minutes per side in a preheated skillet until fully cooked.
- Cool and Flake: Let the salmon cool slightly, then flake it into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to the package directions. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside.
- Steam the Broccoli: Lightly steam the broccoli until tender-crisp, or use fresh raw florets if you prefer. Set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, flaked salmon, steamed broccoli, diced tomatoes, and sliced olives.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt/sour cream) with the ranch seasoning ingredients: chives, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly. Add more dressing if needed for a creamier consistency.
- Serve and Enjoy: Chill in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors meld, or serve immediately. Garnish with additional chives or dill if desired.
Conclusion:
This Creamy Salmon Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of creamy textures, fresh vegetables, and tender salmon. It’s a versatile dish that works well for a quick meal, a side dish for gatherings, or meal prep for busy days. Healthy, delicious, and satisfying—this salad will become a new favorite.
Creamy Salmon Pasta Salad
A creamy pasta salad with tender salmon, freshbroccoli, and a ranch-flavored dressing, perfect as a main course or side dish.
For the Salmon:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 –1½ pounds raw salmon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika is fine)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta Salad:
- 8 –10 oz rotini pasta
- 1 –1½ cups mayonnaise (plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream (start with ½ cup and adjust for desired creaminess))
- 2 –3 cups fresh or steamed broccoli
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced olives
Homemade Ranch Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Season the Salmon: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare a skillet on medium heat. Rub the salmon with olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Salmon: Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork. Sear the salmon for 4–5 minutes per side in a preheated skillet until fully cooked.
- Cool and Flake: Let the salmon cool slightly, then flake it into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to the package directions. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside.
- Steam the Broccoli: Lightly steam the broccoli until tender-crisp, or use fresh raw florets if you prefer. Set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, flaked salmon, steamed broccoli, diced tomatoes, and sliced olives.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt/sour cream) with the ranch seasoning ingredients: chives, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly. Add more dressing if needed for a creamier consistency.
- Serve and Enjoy: Chill in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors meld, or serve immediately. Garnish with additional chives or dill if desired.