When you are short on time and need something easy to make this salmon pesto pasta is exactly what you need. Baked salmon resting on a bed of pasta tossed with pesto is a simple and easy to make dish that is perfect for the weeknight or when you are short on time.
This is one of my favorite recipes to make during the week, especially during the summer. It is so easy to make and since I tend to have a ton of basil from the garden it is a great way to use it up. The best part is it is ready in less than 30 minutes, and it is easy to scale up without impacting the cooking time at all. It also makes for easy meal prep for those on the go that don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. For a little kick add some red pepper flakes for fresh jalapeno peppers.
Table of Contents
In this recipe
There isn’t a lot to the recipe which makes it the perfect go to meal when you are in a pinch or don’t have a lot of time.
Salmon: the star of the show. If you don’t like salmon, you can swap it out with steelhead trout.
Pesto: whether you use store bought pesto or something like my basil pesto recipe this sauce is a perfect compliment to the salmon.
Pasta: you can use your favorite dried pasta or any that you happen to have on hand. If you want to change it up, then swap it out for gnocchi.
How to cook salmon evenly
One of the biggest issues with cooking salmon is the variation in the size of the filet. While the center portions are thicker and more uniform in size you might not be able to get ahold of them. When you have salmon that is thicker on one side than the other you can fold the thinner side in half under the salmon. This will make the thinner side a bit more uniform and help it cook more evenly. There is nothing fun about salmon that is overcooked on one side to make sure the other side is properly cooked.
Do I have to bake the salmon?
No when making salmon pesto pasta you can grill, bake or broil the salmon. You can even sauté it if you wish. I like to bake or grill it personally however the grill is my preferred method when I am in no hurry to cook. Speaking of time to cook the thicker the salmon the longer it will cook. Here is my rule of thumb for cooking times:
- ½-inch or less then cook for 7-10 minutes
- ½ – 1 inch cook for 10-15 minutes
- More than 1 inch 15-18 minutes
The cooking ranges will vary if you like your salmon medium rare or done.
What modifications can I make to the salmon pesto pasta?
There are a few things you can do to switch it up if you want some variety.
- Add fresh jalapeño pepper or red pepper flakes
- Swap the salmon for steelhead trout
- Add tomatoes or sautéed red bell peppers
- Add mushrooms or swap out the salmon for portobello mushrooms as a vegetarian option
- Add some toasted pine nuts or walnuts
Looking for other salmon recipes?
Easy Salmon Pesto Pasta
Equipment
- Sheet pan or small baking dish
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Colander
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 12 ounces salmon 2–6-ounce filets
- ½ pound pasta
- ½ cup pesto divided
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, 177°C, or gas mark 4. Remove 2 tablespoons of pesto and set aside.½ cup pesto
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, for about 7-13 minutes.½ pound pasta
- While the water is heating brush the sides of the salmon with olive oil and place on the sheet pan. Then season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.12 ounces salmon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Place it in the oven and bake for 10-18 minutes depending on thickness. If less than a ½-inch thick cook closer to 10 minutes and if it is over 1-inch-thick cook 16-18 minutes.
- When the pasta is done drain it in a colander and pour it into a mixing bowl. Add the pesto, keeping the 2 tablespoons of pesto in reserve, and toss until evenly coated.½ cup pesto
- Place the pasta onto a plate or bowl and top with salmon. Spoon on the remaining pesto and add the parmesan.½ cup pesto, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Nutrition
