Salmon Pesto Pasta

This Salmon Pesto Pasta comes with just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes for a fresh, flavorful restaurant-quality meal at home.  Use jarred pesto or your favorite homemade pesto.  This healthy fish dinner idea is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough to serve to guests.

Make it with any of my 7 Perfect Homemade Pestos including Fresh Spinach Pesto, Basil Almond Pesto, or Cashew Pesto.

Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe

This Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe is an easy, fresh, and healthy dinner that still feels elevated.  It only takes 5 ingredients - fresh basil pesto, salmon, pasta, lemon, and parmesan cheese - and 20 minutes to make, but the flavor and taste are incredible.  To make this a fast and simple recipe you use the powerhouse of flavor -pesto - to both coat the pasta AND flavor the fish.  This is the kind of dinner you can add to your weeknight meal rotation but also sneak it into your menu the next time the company is over.

The fresh and tender salmon is so healthy and pairs perfectly with fresh pasta coated in gorgeous pesto.   Plus, it's a great, approachable way to add more fish to your diet.

If you have time, you can make your own homemade pesto (Try any of my seven fresh pesto recipes) or you can easily use your favorite packaged or prepared pesto.

Love healthy pesto recipes? I also try my 3 Ingredient Creamy Pesto Pasta, Creamy Pesto Gnocchi, Healthy Pesto Tortelli with Asparagus, or Pistachio Pesto Zoodles.

Why You'll Love this Salmon Pesto Pasta Recipe...

• This Salmon Pesto Pasta Recipe takes only 5 ingredients, which are easy to find.
• This is a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
• It uses the pesto in two ways - to flavor the fish and the pasta- making it easy and simple.
• You can make this more homemade with homemade pesto, or use your favorite packaged pesto.  Since this recipe just has a few ingredients though, make sure to get a good one!
• You can make this with any variety of pesto including regular Basil Pine Nut Pesto, Almond Pesto, Cashew Pesto, Walnut Pesto, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, Cilantro Lime Pesto, or even Spinach Pesto.
• The salmon is remarkably easy to prepare in around 15 minutes total and comes out tender and flaky. It's full of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy protein, selenium, magnesium, and b vitamins.
• The salmon is baked in the oven instead of a skillet or pan for easy prep and clean-up.
• It's fresh, zesty and so good!

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.

• Salmon: Use your favorite type of salmon filet including wild or farm-raised.  You'll need 4 salmon fillets that are about 4 ounces each with the skin removed.  You can also use one large peice of salmon since you are flaking it to serve.  Look for fresh salmon that is rich in color and not fishy smelling.  You can use frozen salmon from the grocery store for this recipe, and if you don't live near the coast this might actually be your best option because the fish is frozen at packaged at peak freshness.  Often fish at the seafood counter has been frozen anyway.  To thaw the salmon put it in the fridge overnight or submerge it in cool water for up to an hour.
• Pasta: I like to use a short pasta like penne for this so the pesto can stick to it.  Use high-quality pasta for the best flavor.  You can use any other pasta including spaghetti or fettuccine too, whatever you happen to have on hand.
• Pesto: You can use your favorite prepared pesto or make your homemade ones like my Basil Almond Pesto, Walnut Pesto, or even a fun twist on this recipe would be to use Sun Dried Tomato Pesto.  Pesto is made with fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, nuts like pine nuts, cashews, walnuts, almonds, and parmesan cheese.  Check out all my flavorful homemade pesto recipes here.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon brings out the flavors in the salmon.  It also brightens the pesto, especially if you are using the jarred kind.  You'll need this for garnish for this dish too.
• Parmesan Cheese: Rich parmesan cheese brings a delightfully salty flavor and texture.  You can use whatever type you have, but the best flavor comes from the real cheese in the refrigerated section of the store.  If you are feeling extra fancy, use fresh grated parmesan cheese.
• Extra: If your pesto doesn't have much oil in it, you'll want to add a drizzle of olive oil to your fish before cooking it.

Instructions:

This is an overview of the instructions to make this  Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.

For the Salmon:

1. To prepare the salmon start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Put the salmon fillets in a baking dish and pat them dry with a paper towel.  Sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
3. If your pesto is really oily, you can just use that but if it's on the dry side add a small drizzle of olive oil to the fish.  Generously coat the salmon with pesto, leaving the rest of the pesto to toss the pasta in.
4. Bake for 8-12 minutes until the fish is pink and flakes with a fork.  Be careful not to overcook it.
5. Squeeze the fish with a lemon juice wedge.  Flake the fish for serving in the pasta.

Tips for Cooking the Salmon:

• The salmon for the Salmon Pesto Pasta is done when it flakes with a fork.
• Salmon cooking times can vary, depending on thickness and oven temperature but any fish generally take about 10 minutes to cook for each inch it is thick.  A thinner piece of salmon will be done in around 8 minutes but a thicker piece might take up to 12.  Oven temperatures can vary, so watch your fish at the end of the cooking time.
• You can serve salmon rare or well done according to personal preference.
• If you are still unsure of how long to cook your salmon you can use a meat thermometer.   A medium piece of salmon will be done from 125 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.   I should note that the USDA says to cook salmon to 145 degrees, but that will be a very well-done and dry piece of salmon.

For the Salmon Pesto Pasta:

1. In a large pot of salted water bring the water to a boil, and cook the penne pasta according to package directions.  Cook until the pasta is al dente.
2. Drain the pasta and put it back in the pot.  Reserve some of the pasta water.
3. Add the pesto to the cooked pasta and stir well.  If the pesto needs thinning to make it more of a sauce, add some of the pasta water.
4. Squeeze half the lemon in the dish.
5. Stir in most of the parmesan cheese, leaving a small amount for garnish.
6. Put the pasta in a bowl and top with the flaked salmon.
7. Garnish with the extra parmesan cheese, lemon wedges, and basil.
8. Serve the pesto salmon pasta immediately.

Variations

I love this Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.

• Add More Veggies: I kept this dish plain without added vegetables, but you could add all kinds of different vegetables to make it even more interesting.  You can even stir in fresh spinach.  Other great options are cherry tomatoes, peas, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, or fresh tomatoes.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
• Mix up the Protein: You can make this with Blackened Shrimp, Blackened Swordfish, or Blackened Mahi.  Even Blackened Chicken, if you eat it!  Smoked salmon would also be amazing.
• Make it Dairy Free:  Make this into a dairy-free recipe by substituting nutritional yeast for parmesan.
• Add A Nut: Give the dish some texture by adding a nut like pine nuts or toasted slivered almonds.

FAQ

Storage and Leftovers

Store any leftovers of the Salmon Pesto Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30-second increments until warm.  If the pasta has dried out, you can add a little more pesto to it.

What meat goes with pesto pasta?

Pesto pairs well with many types of meat including chicken, grilled steaks, pork chops, and especially shrimp or fish.  That makes this Salmon Pesto Pasta a perfect combination.  The mild salmon matches perfectly with the Mediterranean flavors of pesto.

What pasta is best paired with salmon?

Any type of pasta can be paired well with salmon, however, I especially adore this pesto pasta made with penne pasta.  The basil flavors match the salmon perfectly and the flaked salmon and bite-size penne pasta make a great meal.

What is the ratio of pesto to pasta?

I like to use about ¾ to 1 cup of pesto for each pound (16 ounces) of pasta.  You can adjust that to your personal taste though and add more or less.

How to you make pesto stick to the pasta?

One trick is to use short pasta. Another way to help it stick is to add some pasta water to the pesto.  The liquid from cooking the pasta naturally had starch in it, which helped it stick.

 Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe is a Perfect Healthy Dinner

This Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe is truly a perfect healthy dinner.  I love how simple it is to make and how easy the ingredients are to find.  Plus, you can't go wrong with this tasty and approachable way to serve salmon to the family.  It's sure to be loved by adults and kids.  If you are looking for the perfect salmon pasta recipes, this is it!

Serve this by itself or add any of these salads or vegetable sides to round out the meal.

Serve it With:

• Kale Ceasar Salad
• Kale Strawberry Salad
• Arugula and Pear Salad
• Chopped Kale Salad
• Sauteed Kale
• Lemon Garlic Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts

More Pesto Recipes to Try:

• Pesto Gnocchi
• Easy Lemon Pesto Salmon
• 4 Ingredient Caprese Pasta Salad
• Pesto Tortellini Salad with Asparagus
• Healthy Creamy Pesto Pasta
• Pesto Zoodles (zucchini noodles)
• Pesto Quinoa with Shrimp

More Salmon Recipes to Try:

• Baked Blackened Salmon
• Cedar Plank Salmon with Peach Salsa
• Parmesan Panko Crusted Salmon
• Easy Baked Salmon with Rosemary
• Easy Lemon Pesto Salmon
• Teriyaki Salmon
• Everything But the Bagel Salmon
• Baked Lemon Salmon with Creamy Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
• Salmon Foil Packets with Rainbow Vegetables
• Salmon Asparagus and Tomato in Foil
• Balsamic Glazed Salmon
• Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon with Peach Salsa
• Pistachio Crusted Salmon

If you make this Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Salmon Pesto Pasta

Julie Wunder

This Salmon Pesto Pasta comes with just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes for a fresh, flavorful restaurant-quality meal at home.  Use jarred pesto or your favorite homemade pesto.  This healthy fish dinner idea is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough to serve to guests.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4 people

Calories 808 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 cup pesto
• 1 lemon
• parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

For the Salmon:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Put the salmon fillets in a baking dish and pat them dry with a paper towel.  Sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
• If your pesto is really oily, you can just use that but if it's on the dry side add a small drizzle of olive oil to the fish.  Generously coat the salmon with pesto, leaving the rest of the pesto to toss the pasta in.
• Bake for 8-12 minutes until the fish is pink and flakes with a fork.  Be careful not to overcook it.
• Squeeze the fish with a lemon juice wedge.  Flake the fish for serving in the pasta.

For the Salmon Pesto Pasta:

• In a large pot with salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions.
• Drain the pasta and put it back in the pot.  Reserve some of the pasta water.
• Add the pesto to the pasta and stir well.  If the pesto needs thinning, add some of the pasta water.
• Squeeze half the lemon in the dish.
• Stir in most of the parmesan cheese, leaving a small amount for garnish.
• Put the pasta in a serving bowl and top with the flaked salmon.
• Garnish with the extra parmesan cheese, lemon wedges, and basil.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage and Leftovers

Store any leftovers of the Salmon Pesto Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 808kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 50gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 510mgPotassium: 870mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1011IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 102mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Salmon Pesto Pasta

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