Salmon Spinach Pasta

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• This salmon pasta recipe is a great way to eat more seafood.
• Salmon is good for you! This tasty protein is low in calories and saturated fat. It's also rich in essential fatty acids.
• To make this creamy salmon pasta recipe even healthier, we are using Greek yogurt and not heavy cream.
• This creamy pasta dish is an easy recipe that takes only 20 minutes to make a dinner the whole family will love.
• Salmon spinach pasta may seem fancy, but it works just as well for weeknight dinners as for a date night.

• Salmon There are 5 salmon varieties: Sockeye, Coho, Pink, King (Chinook) and Atlantic. You can use any of them for this spinach salmon pasta recipe. Atlantic salmon has a more subtle flavor and texture. If you prefer wild salmon, be aware that Atlantic salmon is only available as farmed salmon.

• Spinach For this recipe, we're using fresh spinach leaves but you can also use thawed frozen spinach, too.
• Pasta The smaller pasta shapes tend to hold the creamy sauce well, but you can use any pasta. I'm using gluten free rigatoni.
• Greek yogurt You can use sour cream instead. However, Greek yogurt is lower in calories and fat and higher in protein than sour cream.
• Lemon Salmon and lemon just go together. But, if you prefer, you can use a splash of white wine in place of the lemon juice.
• Dill Fresh or dried dill will be equally as good. If you use fresh dill, save some to use a a garnish.

How to Make It

Salmon and spinach pasta is so easy to make with just a few simple steps!

1. Season the salmon
2. Bake until it flakes easily with a fork

3. Break salmon into chunks with a fork and set aside

4. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain in a colander
5. Return the pasta to the pot and stir in spinach until just wilted
6. Stir in Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes
7. Add salmon pieces and toss gently

Top Tips

• If you have a larger piece of salmon, cut it into smaller pieces before baking. This will allow for quicker cooking.
• Bake extra salmon for the next day. Leftover salmon is perfect for sandwiches, salads (like this Salmon, Spinach Mandarin Orange Salad), and soups (try Salmon Chowder ). You can also bake it into Salmon Cakes or a Salmon Frittata, or even make Salmon Quesadillas.
• Fresh salmon or thawed frozen salmon will work in this recipe, and you can also use canned salmon.
• Before draining the pasta, scoop out and reserve a cup of the pasta water. You can use it to thin the sauce if necessary.
• Don't add olive oil or any oil to the water when cooking the pasta. It will prevent the sauce from clinging to the noodles.
• Salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°

Variations

• This recipe will work with smoked salmon as well as fresh. Buy extra smoked salmon to make Salmon Sushi Bowls.
• Substitute spinach with kale, or green peas.
• If you have extra time you can sauté a small onion and a couple of minced garlic cloves. Add these to the pasta along with the spinach.
• If you have an air fryer, you can use that to cook the salmon. Here's how: Air Fryer Salmon.