Salmon Pesto Pasta with a Spinach Pesto

Hungry for a tasty, fuss-free meal that hits all the right notes? Our Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe is the real deal. No culinary theatrics, salmon pasta with no cream, just a straightforward guide to whipping up a dish that marries succulent salmon, homemade pesto, and perfectly cooked pasta.

If you're all about no-nonsense, delicious food, stick around. This recipe is your ticket to a flavorful, satisfying meal without the fluff. Let's dive in.

And if you like this recipe you may also like Baked Chicken Meatballs recipe, Creamy Tuna Pesto Pasta, Healthy Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken.

Why we love this pesto salmon pasta?

• Simple ingredients 
• Only 10 minutes to make a delicious homemade spinach pesto for this pasta dish
• A salmon pasta without cream yet a a creamy pesto salmon pasta
• Great for the whole family, including babies and toddlers (see notes)

Ingredients 

​For baking the salmon

• Fresh salmon Fillet: Ensure they are fresh for the best results. Salmon is rich in healthy fats and provides a flaky texture when cooked.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the salmon.
• Black pepper: Adds a subtle kick to the dish.
• Lemon juice: Provides a hint of citrus freshness.
• Olive oil: Adds a savory richness.
• Spaghetti or pasta: we use good old white flour pasta for this recipe but it also works with wholewheat spaghetti, linguini, penne or any other of your favorite pastas
• Parmesan cheese: for those who like, top off the final dish with some delicious parmesan cheese 

For the spinach basil pesto sauce

• we use our favorite green pasta sauce recipe that has spinach in it for added iron and nutrients. The recipe is a dairy-free pesto recipe made from spinach, cashews, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and cup of pasta water

How to make salmon and pesto pasta

Salmon and Pasta:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 390°F.
2. Mix all the seasonings for salmon in a cup.
3. Place salmon fillets on a baking tray and brush with the seasoning mix.
4. Bake for approximately 12 minute. 
5. Cook spaghetti in boiling water with a pinch of salt on the stove; save 1 cup of pasta water.

Homemade Pesto:

 ​You can use store-bought pesto in this recipe or easily make your own healthy pesto. 

1. In a food processor, blend nuts, spinach, and garlic until you have smaller chunks.
2. Add remaining pesto ingredients; blend until smooth.
3. In a pan, heat pesto and 1 cup of pasta water at medium heat. Remove from the stove and mix in the cooked pasta.

Tip: If you are serving this to babies and toddlers then make sure that you have a fully cooked and flaky salmon. This may require you to leave the salmon in the oven for a few minutes longer, depending on the thickness. 

Finish the Dish:

1. Place pesto pasta in a bowl.
2. Top with baked salmon and grated parmesan cheese.

Additions

• For a creamy sauce, add a drizzle of heavy cream.
• Garnish with cherry tomatoes, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil for added flair.

Recipe Variations

• Experiment with different types of nuts in the pesto, such as pine nuts or almonds 
• Substitute salmon fillets with salmon steaks for a change in texture.
• Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Storage

• Store leftover salmon pesto pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for the next day.
• Ensure the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for safe storage.
• Store the homemade pesto in a jar in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months