When you want an easy elegant meal that is healthy and delicious this Salmon Pasta dish offers that and more! All it requires is making a simple spinach sauce that has loads of flavour of leeks, garlic, lemon and dill.
Pasta is such hearty, comforting and versatile dish and the options are endless. This Italian-inspired pasta dish was created with ingredients I had on hand. I had leftover salmon, and just bought asparagus and fresh dill and I usually have spinach in my refrigerator. I didn’t want a heavy cream sauce, something that was still tasty yet had that creamy texture and this dish was that and more!
Substitutions: you can easily substitute the salmon for chicken, or white fish. If you don’t have leeks, use a cooking onion or red onion. As well, you can easily substitute your veggies, add broccoli, or cauliflower, peppers, peas, or kale and parsley to replace dill. Have fun with it, but most importantly, enjoy and Happy Eating:)
Helpful Tips:
Pasta: I chose the bowtie pasta for this dish, however, other options are penne, rotini, fusilli, or spaghetti pasta; all would coat the sauce really well.
Salmon: I purposely look for deep water salmon, wild is my preference. It is healthier and less toxins in the fish. You can purchase with skin on and it can removed easily after cooking.
Spinach: fresh or frozen works for this recipe. Spinach is a healthy option and it adds lovely colour to the sauce. I tend to use fresh organic and always wash thoroughly.
Leeks: has s a milder onion flavour and that’s what I wanted for this dish. If you have red onion, or cooking onions will work well. The cooking onion will require another 1-2 minutes of cooking.
Garlic: is a staple for me in more pasta dishes. I love the flavour it offers. If you are like me, add another clove for that rich garlicy flavour.
Asparagus: one of favourite vegetables to add to pasta dishes. It adds colour, texture and flavour, that is sweet-bitter taste, although similar to broccoli.
Sun-dried tomatoes: another favourite of mine to add to pasta dishes. It has the sweet potent flavour that bursts in you mouth and it goes a long way.
Dill: a fresh lemony flavour that compliments the salmon and pasta so beautifully.
Salmon Pasta with Creamy Spinach Dill Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 4 boneless, skinless wild salmon fillets, (1 1/2 lb)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to season salmon
Spinach Dill Sauce:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 leeks (1 large), white part only, sliced
- 3 clove garlic, sliced
- 2 cups organic spinach
- 1/4 cup ¼ cup fresh dill (1 ½ dried)
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp Himalayan salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 cups organic vegetable/chicken broth
- 2 tbsp sour cream (optional)
Sauté:
- 8 asparagus stems, cut 1" diagonally
- 4 tbsp sun-dried tomato
- Parmesan cheese, garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta and follow package instructions until is al dente; and drain. Reserve about 4 tbsp.
- Season salmon with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add olive oil, and sear salmon for about 5 minutes on each side. Then remove and set aside on a plate. If you forgot to remove the skin, now is the time to remove it. It should come away from the fillet quite easily.
- Spinach Dill Sauce: On medium heat, add the 2 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add leeks and sauté for about 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic, spinach, dill, lemon juice and sauté for about one minute. Season with salt and pepper. Then add chicken broth and boil over medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes. Then add to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. If using sour cream, add to the food processor or blender and blend one last time. **You can make this ahead of time and set aside.
- Sauté: In the same skillet, you will need to add about 1 tbsp olive oil, add the asparagus and sauté for about 5 minutes. Then add the sun-dried tomatoes, pasta, sauce, and salmon chunks. Toss gently until well coated. Add the reserved pasta water if needed. Check for seasoning, add if needed.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh dill.
Nutrition
Begin Spinach sauce: prepare your ingredients ahead of time. Did you know green veggies are heart healthy and high in Vitamin A, C, K and Fiber, as well, they are all low in calories! Start with the leeks, garlic, spinach, lemon, dill, and seasoning. Then add the chicken stock and boil for about 4 minutes.
Spinach sauce: Transfer the boiled veggies to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. If you choose to add sour cream, now is the time, and blend again to combine well. Then set aside until the asparagus are cooked.
Sauté the asparagus for about 5 minutes then add sun-dried tomatoes, salmon and the spinach dill sauce. Gently toss and combine until well coated.
This elegant pasta dish has an abundant of flavours that are fresh and delicious. This pasta dish would make a lovely dinner party or a quick week day meal, that would be so satisfying and healthy at the same time.
