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Home » Recipes » Fish

Hot Smoked Mackerel and Rocket Pasta Salad

Published: Jun 22, 2026 by Deborah · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · Leave a Comment

Hot smoked mackerel and rocket pasta salad in a black and cream serving bowl with a yellow pepper grinder and green and white oil bottle in the background.
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This hot smoked mackerel and rocket pasta salad is fresh, vibrant and packed with smoky flavour. Flaky mackerel, peppery rocket and tender pasta are tossed together with a light wholegrain mustard and lemon dressing for a healthy and satisfying summer lunch or light dinner.

It's quick to make, high in protein and omega-3 and is great for meal prep. We love hot smoked fish in our house with it's rich smoky flavour and the fact it's ready to eat!

Tips

  • Optional variations: 
    • Creamy smoked mackerel pasta salad - stir some Greek yogurt or crème fraiche at the same time as the mustard. 
    • Spinach instead of rocket - use roughly chopped baby spinach in place of the rocket. 
    • Orzo mackerel salad - use orzo pasta instead of fusilli, farfalle or penne pasta. 
    • Chilli lemon mackerel salad - swap the wholegrain mustard for some chilli flakes. 
  • This hot smoked mackerel and rocket pasta salad recipe is easily adapted if you're cooking for less or more people.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hot smoked mackerel?  

Hot smoked mackerel is cooked while being smoked, giving it a flaky texture and smoky flavour.  

Can I eat hot smoked mackerel cold?  

Yes, it's fully cooked and perfect for salads.  

What pasta works best for pasta salad?  

Short pasta shapes like fusilli, farfalle or penne work best.  

Can I make this ahead of time?  

Yes - it's excellent for meal prep lunches.  

What can I use instead of rocket?  

Spinach or mixed leaves work well.  

Is smoked mackerel healthy?  

Yes - it's high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.  

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How to make this Hot Smoked Mackerel and Rocket Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 300g fresh or dried pasta of your choice (I like fusilli, farfalle or penne for this recipe) 
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest 
  • 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard 
  • 16 pitted black olives, sliced 
  • 1 tbsp capers, drained 
  • 60g bag rocket, roughly chopped 
  • freshly ground black pepper 
  • 200g hot smoked mackerel fillets, skin removed and flesh flaked 

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. Drain and refresh with cold water until cooled. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, toss with the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and wholegrain mustard. 
  2. Add the sliced olives, capers and rocket, season generously with freshly ground black pepper.  Toss gently combine, then add the flaked mackerel. 
  3. Toss again gently to mix the fish through the salad, then transfer to a serving bowl.  Garnish with the lemon zest and some more freshly ground black pepper. 

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Hot smoked mackerel and rocket pasta salad in a black and cream serving bowl with a yellow pepper grinder and green and white oil bottle in the background.

Hot Smoked Mackerel and Rocket Pasta Salad

By: Deborah
Fresh hot smoked mackerel and rocket pasta salad with lemon and vibrant Mediterranean flavours. A quick healthy summer lunch or light dinner recipe.  
PREP: 10 minutes mins
COOK: 10 minutes mins
TOTAL: 20 minutes mins
Servings: 4 people
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Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Colander
  • Zester

Ingredients

  • 300 g (10.6 oz) fresh or dried pasta of your choice (I like fusilli, farfalle or penne for this recipe)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon juice and zest
  • 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
  • 16 pitted black olives sliced
  • 1 tbsp capers drained
  • 60 g (2.1 oz) bag rocket roughly chopped
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 200 g (7.1 oz) hot smoked mackerel fillets skin removed and flesh flaked

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. Drain and refresh with cold water until cooled. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, toss with the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and wholegrain mustard.
  • Add the sliced olives, capers and rocket, season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently combine, then add the flaked mackerel.
  • Toss again gently to mix the fish through the salad, then transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with the lemon zest and some more freshly ground black pepper.

Notes

  • Optional variations: 
    • Creamy smoked mackerel pasta salad - stir some Greek yogurt or crème fraiche at the same time as the mustard. 
    • Spinach instead of rocket - use roughly chopped baby spinach in place of the rocket. 
    • Orzo mackerel salad - use orzo pasta instead of fusilli, farfalle or penne pasta.
    • Chilli lemon mackerel salad - swap the wholegrain mustard for some chilli flakes. 
  • This hot smoked mackerel and rocket pasta salad recipe is easily adapted if you're cooking for less or more people.  
 
You might also like to try:   
  • fish dishes 
  • pasta dishes 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 456kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 545mg | Potassium: 370mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 647IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

KEYWORDS easy lunch recipes, healthy pasta salad, hot smoked mackerel recipe, mackerel pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, omega 3 recipes, quick fish recipes, seafood pasta salad, smoked mackerel pasta salad
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Deborah sitting at the breakfast bar in their kitchen with a green Head Chef mug.

Hello!   I'm Deborah and I'm married to David and have 2 lovely step sons and the most beautiful fox red labrador retriever called Ritchie, who we took home at the end of May 2020 as an 8 week old puppy.   David and I both love cooking…for ourselves, family and friends.   I’m definitely one of the lucky ones…getting cooked for and we enjoy cooking together.

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