15 Easy Pasta Side Dishes for Salmon

It’s no secret that pasta and salmon are an excellent combination. That’s why I’m here today to share 15 delicious side dishes that complement this delightful dish.

There are so many ways to enjoy this delicious meal, and you should be able to find something that suits you and your tastes.

So without further ado, let’s dive into these amazing pasta side dishes for salmon.

Enjoy!

Why Consider Serving Pasta Side Dishes for Salmon?

Salmon is one of the most popular types of fish because of its delicious taste and versatility.

If you’re looking to make dinner a little more exciting and interesting, consider serving pasta as a side dish.

This doesn’t mean that you have to serve a heavy dish for salmon, it simply means that you can add a few more flavors to the meal.

Pasta is a versatile dish.

You can have pasta dishes that are light and healthy, or pasta dishes that are more traditional.

Plus, pasta dishes come in many different shapes and sizes.

Therefore, you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to pairing your favorite salmon dish with pasta.

However, it’s not always easy to find a perfect pairing.

That’s why it’s important to experiment with different pasta dishes and pair them with the right side dishes.

To find the right pairing for your salmon dish, consider what type of flavors and textures the main dish has.

This can often help you decide which pasta dish to serve alongside your salmon.

15 Pasta Side Dishes for Salmon

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner, or if you just want to try something new, you can’t beat these pasta side dishes for salmon. They’re easy to make and they’re all delicious.

1. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti with tomato sauce is always a great choice for a side dish when you’re eating salmon.

You can use any variety you like, but I tend to go for thin, flat noodles as they’re ideal for dipping into the sauce. I like to add some spinach leaves and sun-dried tomatoes as an extra healthy option.

2. Creamy Garlic Shells

If you’re planning to serve salmon, you might want to think about choosing a pasta recipe that includes garlic. Garlic acts as a natural anti-biotic in the body, so you’ll be helping your guest to stay healthy by eating this pasta dish.

I like to serve this with the light, creamy ricotta cheese, but you can choose a different option if you prefer.

3. Creamy Pasta Carbonara

Creamy pasta carbonara is an Italian classic that’s so quick and easy to make. You can use whatever type of pasta you fancy for this one, though I like to use penne as it’s a really hearty option.

The traditional recipe includes eggs, bacon, cheese, and a few other flavourful additions. It’s super tasty, but also incredibly rich. So, if you’re looking for something lighter, you can swap the bacon and eggs out for a healthy dose of mushrooms and spinach.

4. Avocado Pasta

This simple pasta dish is the perfect accompaniment to salmon. A healthy side, this one is packed with protein and can be made in just 15 minutes.

Avocados are also a great source of healthy fats, so they’re particularly beneficial when you’re trying to cut back on the saturated fat in your diet.

You can make the tomato sauce using fresh tomatoes instead of canned, and then serve the pasta alongside some freshly grilled fish.

5. Healthy Pasta with Pesto and Broccoli

If you’re planning to serve salmon as a main course, it’s a good idea to balance it out with some light, healthy side dishes. This pasta dish is a fantastic choice as it’s loaded with fibre, iron, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids, which makes it a great option for all kinds of diets.

It’s also incredibly quick to prepare, so you can get home from work or wherever you may be in time for dinner without breaking a sweat! Pesto can be made in seconds using just three ingredients!

6. Simple Mediterranean Olive Oil Pasta

When it comes to choosing what to serve alongside a rich, oily fish like salmon, it’s important that your meal doesn’t end up tasting too greasy!

That’s where a simple bowl of pasta is such an attractive option, and this Mediterranean olive oil pasta is super easy to make and quick to cook. It has loads of flavour and will satisfy the taste buds with just a handful of veggies and a drizzle of olive oil.

7. Southern Macaroni and Cheese

I love this pasta side dish because it’s so quick and easy to make! You can prepare it the night before and keep it in the fridge, then pop it into the oven when you’re ready to serve.

It’s also perfect if you want a healthier option, as it uses just cheese and cream to coat the macaroni, so no cheese sauce to contend with!

8. Vegetable Garden Pasta

When it comes to pasta, there are so many different shapes to choose from. Garden pasta is one of my personal favourites.

It’s made with garden vegetables, so you can make it with whatever you have lying around in the fridge. It’s an excellent option for when you’re cooking a big family meal.

9. Easy Summer Pasta Salad

One of the easiest side dishes that you can make with ease is a salad made with pasta! This pasta salad is great for the summer months as it’s really light, refreshing, and packed with all the vitamins and minerals you need in abundance.

You can serve it on its own or serve it alongside some other tasty fish dishes, like baked salmon. I like to pair this dish with some sliced cucumber, feta cheese, fresh mint leaves, and extra virgin olive oil.

10. Tomato, Arugula and Goat Cheese Pasta

This is such an easy dish to make, and it’s also incredibly delicious. Just heat up some pasta according to the instructions on the packet, and then add a dollop of goat cheese, a sprinkling of fresh basil leaves, and some tomatoes.

That’s it! You’ll be surprised how quickly it will disappear in front of you!

11. A Simple Creamy Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is one of my favourite things to have for dinner at home. It’s really easy to make, and it goes well with all sorts of meals. I often opt for a simple, creamy salad of pasta, tomato, cucumber, and mozzarella, and I like to add some basil leaves for extra flavour.

If you’re short on time, a ready-made salad is a great option. You can always choose your favourite from the supermarket or look for a ready made, low fat version in a can.

12. 5-Cheese Marinara

If you don’t fancy a creamy pasta salad, then you can also make a quick and easy 5-cheese marinara to accompany your main meal. Just add a can of chopped tomatoes, a handful of grated cheese, and some pasta to a large bowl. Toss it all together and you’ve got a delicious, satisfying side dish in no time. You can also make a vegetarian version by swapping out the mozzarella for parmesan and the béchamel sauce for tomato based cream sauce.

13. Tuscan Tortellini Salad

I love this pasta salad because it’s so colourful! I just love the bright mix of tomatoes, olives, and capsicum, and I find it makes the pasta more visually appealing. Tuscan tortellini also has the added benefit of being super easy to prepare, as you can cook them straight from a packet. Just drain them well, then add some chopped basil and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.

14. Tomato Butter Spaghetti

If you’re really short on time, you can buy ready-made tomato butter spaghetti from the supermarket, though it’s always worth making your own as this dish really benefits from having some homemade tomato base. To make it, add 2 cups of crushed tomatoes, 1 cup of olive oil, and lots of fresh basil leaves to a food processor. Then, just blend away!

15. Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad

This strawberry balsamic pasta salad is so easy to make! It’s got plenty of flavour from the strawberries, as well as the zingy tinge from the balsamic vinegar.

The fresh parsley and basil add a lightness and freshness that really make the salad stand out. This would work well alongside any fish dish.

7 Tips for Serving Pasta Side Dishes for Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of protein, and it’s easy to make your next salmon dinner a hit.

Here are 7 simple tips to keep in mind when serving pasta side dishes with your next salmon dinner.

1. Choose Pasta That Matches the Flavor Profile

The key to making a great salmon dish is selecting a pasta that has the right flavor profile. This means choosing a pasta that doesn’t overwhelm the flavor of the salmon.

For example, if you’re making a pasta dish with a mild flavor profile, then you’ll want to choose a pasta that’s more delicate. On the other hand, if you’re making a dish with a strong flavor profile, then a more robust pasta would be the best choice.

2. Match the Pasta With the Other Ingredients

Another way to make sure your salmon dish is a success is by choosing the right ingredients. The best salmon dishes have a strong flavor profile. So, they need to be complemented by something else.

This could be a strong sauce, or it could be another pasta dish. Whatever you choose, make sure that it works well with the salmon.

3. Don’t Overwhelm the Dish

The last thing you want to do is overload your salmon dish with too many flavors. For example, a dish with multiple sauces can be a little overwhelming. Instead, choose one or two sauces for your dish.

Choose a light or creamy sauce, and then pair it with something a little more robust. This will balance the dish and allow it to stand out.

4. Use Fresh Ingredients

If you’re planning to serve salmon with pasta, then you may want to think about adding fresh ingredients to the meal. This can be done by choosing fresh herbs, or by including fresh vegetables.

You can also pick out a fresh vegetable to go along with the main course. For example, you could pick out some broccoli for your salad. It’s important to think about what will complement the main dish and what will make it stand out.

If you’re serving salmon at your next dinner, then you might want to include some roasted vegetables. These would be perfect for a holiday meal because they’re something that’s a little bit different from what’s on the menu.

5. Keep It Simple

If you’re serving salmon with pasta, then it’s important to keep the pasta side dish simple. This is because salmon likes to be the star of the show. So, if you want to make a great meal, you should keep the pasta side dish as simple as possible.

Don’t worry about making it look fancy. Instead, just make sure that it tastes good. You’ll get the best results by sticking to a few key ingredients. A simple pasta dish is also a great way to serve pasta at your next Christmas dinner.

6. Think Outside the Box

If you’re going to be serving pasta side dishes for salmon, then think outside the box. You shouldn’t just pick a side dish that has similar flavors to the salmon.

Instead, try a dish that is inspired by the fish itself. If you want to serve something light and refreshing, then a salad would be a good choice. On the other hand, if you want to serve something rich and hearty, then a side dish that incorporates some of the ingredients from the salmon would be perfect.

The goal here is to keep your side dish from being too similar to the main dish. So, don’t go overboard with the flavors and choose something that really pairs well with the meal.

7. Think About the Dish

When you’re selecting a pasta side dish for a dish like salmon, it’s important to think about what you’re trying to accomplish with the meal. This will help you pick a dish that works well with the meal you’re planning to serve.

For example, if you’re serving a dish with a lot of butter, then a light pasta dish would be perfect. On the other hand, if you’re serving a dish with a strong, rich flavor profile, then a heavy pasta dish might not be the best option.

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