Description
This lemony salmon asparagus pasta salad recipe is full of the best fresh springtime flavors, it’s quick and easy to make, and can be served warm or as a cold pasta salad.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces asparagus spears, diced (with tough ends discarded)
- 4 ounces hot smoked salmon, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup coarsely-grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/3 cup finely-chopped red onion
- 3 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step: Cook the orzo in a large pot of generously-salted boiling water until it is al dente. Pour the orzo through a strainer and rinse with cold water until the pasta is chilled. Set aside until ready to use.
- Step: Meanwhile, whisk together all of the lemon dressing ingredients together until combined.
- Step: Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
- Step: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled orzo, cooked asparagus, salmon, Parmesan, pine nuts, red onion and dill. Drizzle evenly with the lemon dressing and toss until combined.
- Step: Serve immediately, sprinkled with extra Parmesan and fresh dill if desired.
Notes
Salmon: I used hot smoked salmon for this recipe, but you could also sub in cold-smoked salmon. Or, you are welcome to bake a salmon breast and then add it to the recipe too. Lemon zest: I also recommend adding the zest of the lemon to the salad too, if you would like it to have an extra lemony kick. Storage instructions: This pasta salad can be refrigerated in a food storage container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT15M
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: orzo salad, salmon recipe, asparagus recipe, pasta salad, mediterranean, healthy lunch