Turn a can of salmon into a tasty meal

Canned salmon is a pantry staple that can be a springboard to tasty, nutritious meals. You'll find great ideas here for what to do with a can of salmon in your pantry. We've included satisfying lunches and dinners that can feed a family, and canned salmon recipes you can freeze ahead, for reheating later.

• Salmon Burgers

  

  Use canned salmon and saltine crackers to form these healthy, delicious salmon burgers. Top them with mayonnaise, and optional melted cheese, and serve on toasted buns or English muffins for an easy lunch or dinner.

• Salmon With Fettuccine

  

  Creamy salmon pasta is a comforting family meal that’s easy and inexpensive to make with tinned pink or red salmon, and jarred Alfredo sauce. Cooked frozen green peas add appealing pops of color and a lovely little sweetness to this dish.

• Salmon Quiche

  

  With a frozen pie crust, a tin of salmon, some milk, eggs, and a few other basic pantry ingredients, you can whip up a delicious, bistro-style salmon quiche to comfortably feed a family of 6. To make it ahead, freeze the cooked quiche whole, for heating and enjoying later.

• Slow Cooker Salmon Chowder

  

  Use your slow cooker to make this rich, thick, hearty salmon and potato chowder. It’s great for warming you up on cool days, and makes a filling meal on its own. Feel free to add any chopped veggies you have in the crisper to amp up the nutrition.

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• Salmon Melts

  

  You could use tinned salmon or tuna to make these yummy, cheesy, kid-friendly open-faced hot sandwiches that are filling enough for lunch or dinner. Make the salmon salad up to two days ahead, chilling it in the fridge until ready to load onto English muffins with cheese, and broil until toasted and melty.

• Salmon Fried Rice

  

  Dinner can be as easy as this tasty one-pot meal that takes only 15 minutes to make, and is rich in protein. With only five ingredients, plus a little oil for frying, it won’t stretch your food budget, and kids love to eat it.

• Salmon Casserole With Vegetables and White Sauce

  

  With just a few staple ingredients from the pantry and fridge, you can assemble this family-pleasing casserole for dinner. The recipe calls for frozen green beans, but you could easily substitute thawed frozen broccoli florets, green peas, or another green vegetable.

• Baked Salmon Loaf

  

  If your family enjoys meatloaf, try serving them this healthier version that used canned salmon in place of ground meat. You can substitute dried breadcrumbs for the fresh ones called for, and vary the dried spices as you like to suit your tastes. To make it for your freezer, wrap the uncooked loaf tightly in foil, and seal in a ziploc baggie, for later thawing and baking.

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• Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes With Salmon

  

  Scalloped potatoes made in the slow cooker with canned salmon and condensed soups taste luxurious, and make a protein-rich meal on their own. Simply add the ingredients to the appliance, and leave to cook all day, for a creamy, satisfying supper.

• Salmon Pizza

  

  If you’ve got a frozen pizza crust in your freezer, you can make this tasty, deli-inspired twist on the usual pizza dinner. Canned salmon and cream cheese, plus a few chopped vegetables (use fresh, or a thawed frozen mixture) combine to create the easy, savory pizza topping.

• Salmon Meatballs

  

  Change up your spaghetti and meatball game by topping bowls of pasta and tomato sauce with scrumptious salmon meatballs. They are super-easy to make with canned fish, and substantial enough to fill you up, while being lighter and healthier than the traditional version.

• Salmon Noodle Casserole

  

  Dried pasta, canned salmon, and cheddar cheese form the basis of this creamy casserole bake that you can have ready for the family dinner table in just 30 minutes. Tweak it to taste, if you like, with any chopped veggies from your fridge or freezer.

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• Salmon Spaghetti Carbonara

  

  Canned salmon is an easy substitute for leftover cooked salmon in this delicious, bacon-flecked salmon carbonara pasta that will satisfy six people at dinner. Use any long, dried pasta for this dish, which coats the cooked noodles in an indulgent, creamy sauce made with egg yolks and heavy cream (or evaporated milk).

• Stuffed Peppers With Salmon

  

  Stuffed bell peppers with a salmon, cheese, and breadcrumb stuffing are a nutritious meal that doesn’t require many ingredients. Use fresh or dried breadcrumbs, and any cheese you like for melting on top. To make them ahead, freeze stuffed unbaked peppers without cheese. Then thaw them in the fridge, before adding cheese, and baking.

• Creamy Salmon Soup

  

  You only need a handful of ingredients, plus salt and pepper, for this creamy, filling, salmon soup. Canned salmon and onion give you plenty of flavor for very little effort. This is perfect for a hearty lunch that’s ready in 30 minutes.