Salmon Pesto Pasta
A quick, comforting, yet elegant one-bowl meal. Roast the salmon for a hands-off shortcut to light flavor and texture, and usie either homemade or jarred pesto to keep things flexible.
Ingredients
- 2 large salmon filets
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 8 ounces dried pasta
- 2/3 cup pesto jarred or homemade
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, and place salmon filets on top, skin-side down, if they have skin. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and black pepper.2 large salmon filets, 1-2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, kosher salt and black pepper
- Place the baking sheet in the cold oven. Close the door, then turn the oven on to 400 degrees F and set a timer for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, check the salmon. If it is done, it will flake easily when pressed with a fork, and have an internal temperature nearing 145 degrees F in the thickest part. Leave it for a few minutes if needed, but remove promptly when it hits 145 degrees. (For a slightly crispy top, move the baking sheet to the top rack and turn the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking time, but watch it closely.)
- While the salmon cooks, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Reserve a bit of the pasta water in case you want it to loosen the sauce, then drain.8 ounces dried pasta
- Return drained pasta to the pot and add pesto, Parmesan, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well to combine. If you prefer a looser sauce, stir in reserved pasta water a splash at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.2/3 cup pesto, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Using a fork, break up the cooked salmon into bite-sized pieces. Either mix into the pasta in the pot, or serve the pasta and top with salmon separately. Enjoy!
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Notes
- Pesto: Two of our favorite homemade versions are this classic basil pesto with lemon zest and this stealthy-healthy zucchini basil pesto with spinach. Both are excellent in this dish!
- Love garlic? Add 1-2 cloves of finely minced garlic to the salmon seasoning for extra flavor.
- Want a little extra spice? Sprinkle a dusting of paprika -- sweet or smoked -- on top of the salmon prior to roasting.
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 486 kcal, Carbohydrates: 46 g, Protein: 28 g, Fat: 20 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 55 mg, Sodium: 440 mg, Potassium: 556 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 713 IU, Vitamin C: 0.5 mg, Calcium: 127 mg, Iron: 2 mg