Easy Creamy Salmon Pasta
16 October 2024
Creamy Feta and Salmon Pasta
This Creamy Feta and Salmon Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines tender salmon, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and tangy feta cheese with perfectly cooked pasta. The dish is baked to allow the ingredients to meld together, creating a creamy sauce with the feta and olive oil. This hearty meal is quick to prepare and full of fresh flavors, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
So, if all that sounds good to you, read on!
Top Tips for Perfect Creamy Salmon Pasta
1. Don’t Overcook the Salmon
Cut the salmon into evenly sized cubes so it cooks evenly in the oven. Bake just until the salmon is tender and flaky. Overcooking can make it dry.
2. Reserve a Little Pasta Water
Before draining the pasta, save a few tablespoons of pasta water. Adding a splash while mixing everything together helps create a smoother, creamier sauce.
3. Mix the Sauce While It’s Hot
Right after baking, gently mash the roasted feta, tomatoes, and salmon together while they are still hot. This helps the feta melt into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
I can’t believe I hadn’t combined rich, flaky salmon with creamy feta before now, but here it is – the ultimate weeknight pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor!
3 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:
EASY – Just pop everything in the oven, cook your pasta, and combine. That’s it!
NOURISHING – Packed with omega-3-rich salmon, fresh spinach, and wholesome ingredients.
FLAVORFUL – Creamy feta, roasted cherry tomatoes, and perfectly baked salmon make every bite irresistible.
My favorite part? The way the warm, melty feta creates a luscious, tangy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. Plus, roasting everything together deepens the flavors without extra effort!
Honestly, I should host a challenge to see who can resist going back for seconds. (Spoiler: No one can!)
So there you have it—the easiest, most flavorful pasta dish that feels fancy but comes together in no time!
Ingredients in Creamy Feta and Salmon Pasta
Here’s what you need to make Creamy Feta and Salmon Pasta:
Feta Cheese (200g) – Use high-quality, creamy feta cheese for the best texture and flavor. Greek feta made from sheep’s milk works beautifully in this dish, giving it a rich and tangy taste.
Cherry Tomatoes (8-10) – Use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes for a naturally sweet and juicy burst of flavor. Roasting them enhances their natural sweetness and makes them irresistibly soft and jammy.
Salmon Fillet (400g) – Choose a fresh, skinless salmon fillet for the best results. Wild-caught salmon has a slightly stronger flavor, while farmed salmon is milder and richer in fat. Either works perfectly for this dish!
Olive Oil (40ml) – Use extra virgin olive oil for a rich, slightly peppery taste. It enhances the roasted tomatoes, feta, and salmon while keeping everything moist and flavorful.
Fresh Spinach (100g) – Opt for baby spinach for a tender and mild flavor. It wilts beautifully into the dish, adding both vibrant color and a nutritious boost.
Dry Pasta (200g) – Choose your favorite pasta shape! Short pasta like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni works best, as it holds onto the creamy feta sauce and salmon pieces.
Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Season to taste. A pinch of salt enhances the flavors, while freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle kick.
Optional: Red Pepper Flakes – If you love a bit of heat, sprinkle on some red pepper flakes before serving for a spicy touch!
How to make Creamy Feta and Salmon Pasta
This creamy salmon pasta is incredibly easy to make with just a few simple steps. The salmon, feta, and cherry tomatoes bake together in the oven, creating a rich and flavorful sauce with minimal effort. Once the pasta is cooked, everything is mixed together so the pasta absorbs the creamy feta and salmon juices. The result is a comforting, creamy salmon pasta packed with fresh flavor and ready with very little work.
1. Prepare puff pastry
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Pat the salmon fillet dry, remove the skin, and cut it into bite-sized cubes. Place the salmon, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta in a baking dish. Add the fresh spinach on top, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Bake the Salmon and Feta
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily. The feta will soften and the tomatoes will become beautifully roasted and juicy. Once done, gently mix everything in the dish to create a creamy, flavorful base.
3. Cook the Pasta
While the salmon and feta are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a small cup of pasta water before draining.
4. Combine Everything
Add the drained pasta directly to the baking dish with the salmon, feta, and tomatoes. Toss everything together gently, allowing the warm ingredients to coat the pasta in a creamy, flavorful sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Ready to Serve
Plate the pasta while warm and, if desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
Serve immediately and enjoy a creamy, comforting, and delicious meal.
This creamy salmon feta pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s perfect for any day of the week. The combination of flaky salmon, tangy feta, and roasted cherry tomatoes creates a rich and creamy sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta. It’s easy to prepare, satisfying, and full of fresh flavor. Serve it warm and enjoy a comforting homemade pasta that comes together with minimal effort.
Variations & Substitutions
Use a Different Pasta
Fusilli works great because it holds the creamy sauce well, but you can also use penne, farfalle, rigatoni, or spaghetti depending on what you have available.
Swap the Salmon
If you don’t have salmon, you can replace it with cooked shrimp, grilled chicken, or even canned tuna for a quicker version.
Add More Vegetables
You can easily include extra vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, or bell peppers. They roast well with the tomatoes and add more flavor and texture.
Use Another Cheese
If feta is too strong for your taste, try goat cheese or a mild cream cheese for a softer, creamier sauce.
Make It Spicier
Add extra chili flakes, fresh chopped chili, or a dash of hot sauce if you enjoy a bit more heat in your pasta.
Save it for your next busy weeknight, and enjoy a homemade meal that’s both simple and satisfying. 🍜✨
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Creamy Feta and Salmon Pasta | Easy, Healthy & Done in 30 Minutes
Ingredients
- 200 g feta cheese block
- 8 –10 cherry tomatoes
- 400 g salmon fillet skin removed and cut into cubes
- 40 ml olive oil about 3 tbsp
- 100 g fresh spinach
- 200 g dry pasta fusilli or your choice
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: hot pepper flakes for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain.
- Clean the salmon, remove the skin, and cut it into cubes of your desired size.
- Place the salmon cubes, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and feta in a baking dish. Season with salt, pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of the salmon cubes.
- Once done, mix everything together.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the creamy feta, salmon, spinach, and roasted tomatoes.
- At the end you can sprinkle with hot pepper flakes (optional)
Notes
- Pasta (125 g cooked) – ~200 kcal
- Salmon (100 g) – ~208 kcal
- Feta cheese (50 g) – ~132 kcal
- Olive oil (1 tbsp / ~13 ml) – ~115 kcal
- Cherry tomatoes (40 g) – ~7 kcal
- Spinach (25 g) – ~6 kcal
- Spices & salt – ~2 kcal
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