Maple Glazed Salmon Pasta Salad

Last updated on: August 21, 2025

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Ah, salmon. The fancy fish that makes you feel like you've got your life together. Pair it with pasta, and suddenly, you're the kind of person who "throws together" elegant meals with ease. Enter this Maple Glazed Salmon Pasta Salad—a dish that’s got everything: protein, crunch, creaminess, and a subtle hint of I actually know what I’m doing in the kitchen.

The pasta salad is light but creamy, thanks to a touch of lighter mayo. The peppers and spring onions add some much-needed crunch, making you feel a bit smug about your vegetable intake. And then there’s the salmon—glazed with maple syrup and baked until golden. The sweetness of the maple balances beautifully with the zingy lemon zest, making every bite a little party in your mouth.

This dish is a summer essential. It’s great for meal prep, picnics, or just pretending you're dining al fresco in the south of France instead of eating at your kitchen table in your pyjamas. Plus, it's high in protein, which means you can justify that extra slice of cake later.

What is Salmon Pasta Salad?

Salmon Pasta Salad is exactly what it sounds like—cooked pasta, mixed with a creamy dressing, crunchy veggies, and topped with beautifully cooked salmon. It’s a lighter, fresher take on pasta dishes, perfect for warm days or when you just can’t be bothered with anything too heavy.

The real star here is the salmon. Instead of just chucking a plain fillet on top (boring), we’re glazing it with maple syrup and baking it until it’s perfectly golden and flaky. This little trick adds a subtle sweetness that complements the tangy lemon zest and the creamy pasta salad. It’s a high-protein, balanced meal that doesn’t skimp on flavour or texture.

Basically, it’s the kind of dish that makes you look like you know a thing or two about food, even if your usual speciality is toast.

Salmon Pasta Salad Key Ingredients:

Farfalle (Bow Pasta) – The pasta that’s shaped like a bowtie, because even your dinner deserves to look posh.

Lighter Mayonnaise – Creamy, but not over-the-top indulgent. The key to a pasta salad that’s both tasty and guilt-free.

Spring Onion – Adds a subtle oniony crunch without overpowering the salad. Think of it as the supporting act.

Red and Green Peppers – Colourful, crunchy, and perfect for adding a sweet bite. Feel free to swap in yellow pepper if you’re feeling zesty.

Salmon Fillets – The main event! Rich, flaky, and packed with protein.

Maple Syrup – The secret to that irresistible, sticky glaze. Sweet, smoky, and totally necessary.

Lemon Zest – Brightens up the glaze with a zingy kick.

Onion Powder & Garlic Powder – The dynamic duo of seasoning, ensuring every bite of salmon is flavour-packed.

Chives – For garnish (and because they make everything look fancy).

Maple Glazed Salmon Pasta Salad – A High-Protein Summer Dream

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5 from 2 reviews

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Creamy pasta salad meets sweet and sticky maple-glazed salmon in this high-protein dish. Fresh, zesty, and packed with flavour, it’s the perfect balance of indulgence and nutrition.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

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• 150 g farfalle (aka bow pasta)
• 40g lighter mayonnaise
• 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 red pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 green or yellow pepper, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 2 salmon fillets (around 150g each)
• 1 tbsp. maple syrup
• Zest of 1 lemon, grated
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. olive oil
• Chives for garnish

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Instructions

Right, to make the maple glazed salmon recipe, start off by making the pasta salad first and put it in the fridge.

To do this, cook the pasta according to instructions and drain. Rinse with cold water so it chills quickly. Add the mayonnaise, spring onion and peppers, some salt and pepper and mix through. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 180º Celcius.

Mix the maple syrup, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic powder and onion powder in a bowl. Brush the mixture over the salmon.

Place the salmon onto a baking tray and pop it in the oven and bake for 12 minutes. After that increase the temperature to 220º and bake for a couple of minutes, just until it gets golden brown on top. Alternatively, you could go all “chef-y” and blow torch the top for a bit to crisp it up..or not even bother at all.

Serve the pasta with the salmon and top with chives.

• Author: Scott Baptie
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Category: Fish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 579kcal
• Fat: 19g
• Carbohydrates: 73g
• Protein: 29g

Keeping Salmon Pasta Salad For Later

To Store

Keep the pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the salmon separately to keep everything fresh.

To Reheat

If you prefer warm salmon, reheat it in the microwave for 30–60 seconds or pop it in the oven at 180°C for a few minutes. The pasta salad is best eaten cold.

To Freeze

Not ideal for freezing—the creamy dressing won’t hold up well, and the peppers will go soggy. Best enjoyed fresh!

Salmon Pasta Salad FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely. If you don’t have farfalle, penne, fusilli, or even macaroni will do the trick. Just avoid spaghetti—nobody wants a pasta salad that looks like a crime scene.

Can I use tinned salmon?

You could, but fresh is miles better. Tinned salmon will work in a pinch, but you’ll miss out on that gorgeous maple glaze and flaky texture.

Is this dish served hot or cold?

Both! The pasta salad is best cold, but the salmon can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. So basically, however impatient you’re feeling.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! The pasta salad can chill in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salmon is best fresh, but you can cook it ahead and reheat if needed.

Can I air-fry the salmon instead?

Absolutely. Pop it in at 200°C for about 8-10 minutes. It’ll still get that gorgeous golden finish without heating up the whole kitchen.

What else can I add to this?

Go wild! Avocado, cucumber, capers, or even a handful of rocket would all work beautifully.

Is this actually healthy?

It’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and veggies. So yes, it’s healthy… but also delicious, which is the real win here.

If you liked this Salmon Pasta Salad, try these:

Salmon Poke Bowl. Fresh, colourful, and packed with protein, this salmon poke bowl is a 15-minute wonder. Juicy cubes of salmon (raw or seared) sit atop a bed of nutty wild rice, surrounded by crisp lettuce, creamy avocado, and tangy pickled radish. A fiery sriracha mayo drizzle ties it all together. Quick, easy, and utterly delicious!

Tuscan Salmon. A one-pan wonder with golden salmon, sun-dried tomatoes, and a garlicky, creamy sauce. This high-protein Tuscan Salmon is your fast-track to feeling fancy on a weeknight—with minimal washing up. It’s lush, loaded with flavour, and won’t leave you needing a nap after.

Sweet Chilli Salmon. Zingy, sticky, and just the right amount of sassy – this Sweet Chilli Salmon is your new 20-minute weeknight hero. High in protein and low in faff, it’s pan-fried to crispy-skinned perfection and drenched in a glossy, sweet-spicy sauce that’s downright addictive.

Leave A Comment Below

Loved the recipe? Got your own little tweaks and twists? I am all ears! Feel free to drop a comment below and share your cooking experiences with me.