This easy smoked salmon pasta salad uses just three main ingredients: smoked salmon, pasta, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Serve it as part of an outdoor buffet or add a few extras to make a satisfying light summer lunch.
Basic smoked salmon pasta with ranch dressing
This smoked salmon pasta salad was created by chance when I needed a simple side to go with barbecued lamb.
With only a packet of smoked salmon and a jar of homemade ranch in the fridge, I boiled some pasta shells, chopped the salmon and tossed everything together. It was instantly a favourite.
The ranch gives the shells a silky coating while the dill in the dressing pairs beautifully with the salmon’s smoky flavour.
If you prefer, you can use a store-bought ranch dressing. Homemade is easy to adjust to taste and worth the little extra effort.
This salad travels well and actually benefits from resting, so it’s ideal for picnics—make it ahead, pack it in a container and enjoy later.
Variations on smoked salmon pasta salad
The recipe below is a straightforward base. To bulk it up into a more substantial lunch, consider adding any of the following:
- Chopped celery for crunch
- Halved cherry tomatoes for sweetness
- Chopped boiled eggs — a classic match for smoked salmon
- Chopped avocado for extra creaminess
How to make smoked salmon pasta salad
The printable recipe card below gives exact quantities and a step-by-step method.
Begin by cooking the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl.
Choose a shape such as shells, fusilli or another ridged/twisted pasta—these hold the dressing well. Avoid tubular pastas like penne or macaroni, which can leave the salad feeling drier.
Cut the smoked salmon into roughly 1″ (2–3 cm) pieces and add to the warm pasta.
Pour over enough ranch dressing to coat the pasta (about 1½ cups) and toss to combine. Cover and allow to come to room temperature before serving.
Mixing while the pasta is still warm helps the flavours meld together.
How to make homemade ranch dressing
Homemade ranch is quick to make and keeps well in the fridge.
Use equal amounts of mayonnaise and buttermilk as the base. If you don’t have buttermilk, stir 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 10 minutes to thicken.
Season with vinegar or lemon juice, salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs—dill and parsley are classic. Add chives if you’d like a more pronounced onion note.
You can use fresh or dried herbs. If substituting dried for fresh, use about one third of the fresh quantity since dried herbs are more concentrated.
Whisk everything together, pour into a clean jar or bottle and chill overnight so the flavours can develop.
How long will homemade ranch dressing last?
Stored in the refrigerator, the dressing will keep for around a week or until the buttermilk’s expiry date.
What can I substitute for buttermilk?
Make a quick buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk. Stir and leave at room temperature for about 10 minutes until it thickens and curdles slightly.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes—use roughly one third of the amount if substituting dried herbs for fresh (for example, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley = 1 teaspoon dried).
What other flavourings can I add?
Once you have the basic ranch, try adding:
- Chilli (fresh chopped or ½ teaspoon chilli flakes) for heat
- Worcestershire sauce (1 teaspoon) for umami
- Paprika (1 teaspoon) for a smoky note—great with grilled meats
- Chopped chives for extra onion flavour
Save for later
Save this smoked salmon pasta recipe to your recipe collection or pin it to a board so you can find it easily.
You can also bookmark the page or save it to your favourites for reference when planning picnics or casual lunches.
Related recipes
If you enjoy pasta salads, you might also like the other pasta recipes on the picnic and barbecue page. Below are a few ideas that pair well with the flavours in this dish.
-
Roasted red pepper pasta with prawns -
Tuna noodle salad – with lemon
-
Tomato and onion pasta salad in a creamy cheese sauce
-
Salmon and red pepper pasta salad with corn
📋The recipe
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad with homemade ranch dressing
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Serving dish
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Storage bottle or jar
Ingredients
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
- 8 ounce (225g) pasta shells
- 5 ounce (150g) smoked salmon
- 1½ cups ranch dressing (or enough to coat the pasta)
Homemade Ranch Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (or 2 tsp dried parsley)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, drain and transfer to a serving dish.
- Cut the smoked salmon into 1″ squares and add to the pasta.
- Pour over about 1½ cups of ranch dressing while the pasta is still warm and stir to combine.
- Allow to cool and serve at room temperature.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Combine the mayonnaise and buttermilk in a mixing bowl.
- Add the vinegar, herbs and spices and whisk until smooth.
- Pour into a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate overnight to develop the flavours.
Notes
- Chopped celery for crunch
- Halved cherry tomatoes for sweetness
- Chopped boiled eggs — go especially well with smoked salmon
- Chopped avocado for extra creaminess
Variations for the ranch dressing:
- ½ teaspoon dried chilli
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
Calories calculated assuming all the ranch dressing is used in the salad.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates – 49.1 g |
Protein – 16.4 g |
Fat – 18.3 g |
Saturated Fat – 3 g |
Cholesterol – 68 mg |
Sodium – 1422 mg |
Potassium – 313 mg |
Fiber – 0.4 g |
Sugar – 5.6 g |
Calcium – 94 mg |
Iron – 3 mg
Nutrition info is an estimate calculated with an online tool and is provided for guidance only.
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