Salmon Caesar Pasta Salad with High Protein Dressing

We’re combining two of my favorite foods into one with this high-protein blackened salmon Caesar pasta salad! You’ll love this easy recipe because it is packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, crisp and crunchy lettuce, and the best Caesar salad dressing that’s incredibly quick to mix up. Best of all, you can prep it in advance to simplify mealtime.

Salmon Caesar Pasta Salad with High Protein Dressing

Here at Fit Mama Real Food, we share tons of salmon recipes. It may well be one of my favorite proteins!

I love the flavor and how versatile it is. You can add it to so many different meals and can be prepped in advance.

Plus salmon is such a healthy food! I aim to eat seafood multiple times a week with salmon being a staple 1-2 times a week.

If you have a similar goal or are just learning to enjoy fish, this blackened salmon will be a good one to start with. The blackening seasoning adds a lot of flavor and pairs well with the cooling and crunchy Caesar salad.

Why you’ll love this easy salmon Caesar salad recipe

High protein salad – Long gone are the days of salads not keeping you full for long. This salad is high in protein and healthy fats and will keep you fuller for longer! By also adding the pasta with the salad, you get a healthy dose of carbohydrates in this meal too.

Best Caesar dressing – My homemade dressing is a better high-protein alternative than what you’d find at the grocery store, and you don’t need to use anchovy filets!

Meal prep friendly – Move over meal kits, we can make something better at home! To meal prep this recipe prepare all of the ingredients and wait to combine them. You can either build your salmon Caesar pasta salads in large mason jars and wait to add the dressing so the lettuce doesn’t wilt, or keep everything in individual containers and build them as needed. If you want your salmon hot, heat it in a hot skillet until warmed through.

What you need for a classic caesar salad with pasta and salmon

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• chickpea pasta
• salmon fillets
• extra virgin olive oil
• blackening seasoning
• high protein homemade Caesar dressing
• romaine lettuce
• kale
• parmesan cheese

How to make healthy protein Caesar salad

Step 1: Begin by cooking the pasta according to package directions. Drain and run cold water over the cooked pasta, and then toss the noodles with 1 tablespoon of EVOO if you are not using it right away to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the salmon pieces on the sheet, brush with oil, and sprinkle on the blackening seasoning. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl or serving platter make your complete meal by combining the cooked pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, kale, and dressing in a large bowl. Top with the salmon and parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this baked salmon caesar pasta salad recipe. 

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Pasta – Any shape of pasta works in this recipe. You can opt to use gluten-free pasta, chickpea flour pasta, or regular pasta – whatever works for your dietary preferences and taste buds will do! Non-pasta alternatives include couscous and whole grains like einkorn, farro, and spelt. Homemade croutons are a great alternative to use as well.

Extra virgin olive oil – Avocado oil is a great substitute here!

Salmon – This recipe works exceptionally well with other proteins too. Try using chicken for a chicken Caesar pasta salad, or shrimp for a seafood alternative. Steelhead is another great option that works well with the blackening seasoning.

Blackening seasoning – If you don’t have the ingredients on hand for the blackening seasoning, no worries! You can use a store-bought option, or simply season your salmon with sea salt, black pepper, and granulated garlic.

Parmesan cheese – Romano cheese is delicious in this recipe as well.

More healthy salmon recipes you’ll love

• Salmon sushi bowls
• Traeger grilled salmon
• Greek salmon buddha bowls

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Salmon Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

We’re combining two of my favorite foods into one with this high-protein blackened salmon Caesar pasta salad! You’ll love this easy recipe because it is packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, crisp and crunchy lettuce, and the best Caesar salad dressing that’s incredibly quick to mix up. Best of all, you can prep it in advance to simplify mealtime.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time8 minutes mins

Total Time23 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: Italian, Jamaican

Keyword: caesar, Pasta, salad, salad dressing, salmon

Servings: 4

Calories: 474kcal

Author: Heather Englund

Ingredients

• 8 oz chickpea pasta
• 24 oz salmon fillets 4x 6oz portion sizes
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp blackening seasoning
• 3/4 cup high protein homemade Caesar dressing
• 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
• 2 cups kale chopped
• parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

• Begin by cooking the pasta according to package directions. Drain and run cold water over the cooked pasta, and then toss the noodles with 1 tablespoon of EVOO if you are not using it right away to prevent sticking.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the salmon pieces on the sheet, brush with oil, and sprinkle on the blackening seasoning. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl or serving platter make your complete meal by combining the cooked pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, kale, and dressing in a large bowl. Top with the salmon and parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?Be sure to tag me @fitmamarealfood or tag #fitmamarealfood!

Nutrition

Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 690mg | Potassium: 1039mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 5212IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 7mg

If you try this healthy easy salmon recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather