Description
Mediterranean-inspired Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad weaves together silky salmon, crisp vegetables, and zesty herbs in a light, refreshing dish. Creamy yet bright, this elegant salad delivers bold Mediterranean flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10.5 ounces (300 grams) orzo pasta
- 7 ounces (200 grams) smoked salmon
- 5.3 ounces (150 grams) cucumber
Protein and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2.5 tablespoons capers
- 0.5 small red onion
- 1 bagel
Dressing Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup (120 grams) full-fat mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup (120 grams) sour cream
- 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 heaped tablespoon fresh chives
- 1 heaped tablespoon fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.125 teaspoon salt
- Olive oil or oil spray (for croutons)
Instructions
- Transform bagel pieces into crispy croutons by preheating the oven to 350F. Spread bagel pieces on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crunchy. Allow croutons to cool completely.
- Boil orzo in salted water until it reaches al dente texture. Drain pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking process. Shake off excess moisture completely.
- Create a vibrant dressing by whisking together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and well integrated.
- Combine cooled orzo with diced cucumber, briny capers, and finely chopped red onion in a large mixing bowl. Pour prepared dressing over the mixture and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Delicately fold in crisp croutons and flaked smoked salmon, ensuring ingredients are distributed throughout the salad.
- Chill the salad for optimal flavor melding or serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 24 hours.
Notes
- Use stale bagels or leftover bread to create crispy, zero-waste croutons that add delightful texture and prevent food waste.
- Rinse orzo with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfectly separated and cool pasta base for the salad.
- Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow dressing to marinate ingredients, intensifying the overall taste profile.
- Swap smoked salmon with grilled tofu or chickpeas for vegetarian options, or use gluten-free bagels to make the dish celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 515 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg