Description
This easy yet elegant tomato spinach salmon pasta features a luscious garlic butter sauce made with sun-kissed fresh tomatoes. Tender, flaky salmon is seared to perfection and combined with fresh baby spinach and al dente pasta for a wholesome, flavorful meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti pasta
Salmon
- 1 pound salmon
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a splash of pasta water.
- Season the Salmon: While the pasta cooks, pat the salmon dry. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon fillets. Sear each side for about 3 minutes until lightly golden and just cooked through. Transfer salmon to a plate.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic, halved grape tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir occasionally and cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Add Spinach and Salmon: Add the fresh baby spinach to the pan. Break the seared salmon into bite-sized pieces directly in the skillet using a spoon. Cook together for another 3-5 minutes until the salmon is completely cooked and the spinach has wilted.
- Combine and Serve: Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. If desired, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh grape tomatoes for a naturally sweet and juicy sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency.
- Salmon can be substituted with other fish such as trout or cod.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
- Serve with grated Parmesan or fresh herbs like basil for added flavor.
