Quick Salmon & Spinach Pasta Recipe
This Quick Salmon & Spinach Pasta is a flavorful and nutritious meal combining tender baked salmon with fresh spinach and a creamy lemon-dill yogurt sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner that feels both indulgent and wholesome.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 1 pound salmon fillet with skin
- 2 teaspoons dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- Zest of one lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta & Sauce
- 12 oz rigatoni or favorite pasta
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- Fresh lemon juice (to taste, about 1-2 tablespoons)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Salmon: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the salmon fillet skin-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Season the salmon evenly with dried dill, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to infuse fresh flavors.
- Cook Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes until it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Once cooked, carefully remove the salmon from its skin and break it into bite-sized chunks.
- Cook Pasta: While the salmon is baking, cook the rigatoni in boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to help create a smooth sauce later.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the drained pasta to its cooking pot over low heat. Add the baby spinach leaves and toss the pasta until the spinach wilts. Stir in the Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Finish: Gently fold in the flaked salmon chunks, coating them in the creamy yogurt sauce. Remove the pot from heat and serve immediately for a warm, comforting dish.
Notes
- The lemon juice amount can be adjusted to your taste for acidity.
- Using fresh dill will provide a brighter herb flavor compared to dried dill.
- Reserve pasta water is useful to adjust sauce thickness without diluting the flavors.
- To save time, you can start cooking pasta as you prepare the salmon.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables.
Keywords: salmon pasta, spinach pasta, quick dinner, healthy pasta recipe, baked salmon
