Salmon Orzo Recipe with Spinach and Lemon

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This salmon orzo recipe makes a fantastic dinner bowl – loaded with tender flaky salmon, garlicky orzo, and spinach. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this quick and easy dinner is perfect to make for a date night or for guests.

This is a tasty complete meal in one bowl, and has amazing flavor in each bite. I love serving this with a simple green salad to start tossed with a citrus vinaigrette, and dinner is served!

We enjoy salmon all year long – and this simple orzo salmon recipe is a great way to pair pasta and seafood together with a modern twist. Each bite has hearty salmon, garlicky orzo, and sauteed spinach with a creamy lemon sauce. Talk about a quick and simple meal! This is one easy dinner recipe that is great any time of year.

Start by cooking the orzo, sautéing garlic and spinach in a light cream sauce, and topping it with oven baked salmon. In about a half an hour, you have a easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

This Salmon Orzo Recipe Is

• Bright
• Fresh
• Lemony
• Hearty
• Easy to Make
• A Great 30 Minute Dinner
• Fantastic for Guests or Entertaining

Easy Salmon Recipes for Entertaining

This orzo with salmon is what I call an Easy Entertaining Recipe – it’s on the table in about 30 minutes.  These quick and simple recipes are perfect for cookouts, summer gatherings, party invites, or when you just want a healthy homemade meal in the oven or on the grill.

These Easy Entertaining Recipes are great for friends, family, and guests – anyone who loves salmon filets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

• Salmon Fillets – you can use fresh or frozen. I prefer coho or sockeye salmon when I can find it.
• Orzo Pasta – I absolutely love this dry orzo pasta shape, it goes great with this bright and fresh salmon. It’s easy to find orzo in grocery stores, many brands make orzo now.
• Butter – or substitute olive oil
• Garlic
• Heavy Cream – I use just a bit to for the spinach and creamy orzo. I like using heavy cream for the best flavor.
• Salt
• Fresh Spinach
• Dijon Mustard – for a really nice flavor and texture, this Dijon is a favorite in our pantry. Use a good quality mustard, not yellow prepared mustard.
• Garlic Powder – which is great on the salmon and pairs nicely with the garlic in the orzo.
• Italian Seasoning Blend: usually has thyme, basil, rosemary, parsley, etc. I love this bright and flavorful Italian season mix which brings this dish to life.
• Black Pepper
• Fresh Lemon Juice

Variations and Add-Ins

• Top with fresh herbs (like parsley or fresh dill) for a bright fresh flavor.
• Drizzle in some balsamic vinegar for more acidity.
• Add lemon zest along with the juice.
• Add feta cheese or parmesan cheese on top.
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, or pine nuts for an Italian flair.
• Add 1/2 cup of white wine to the sauce.
• Add fresh asparagus, artichoke hearts, and briny olives for a Mediterranean flavor.

How To Make This Recipe

1. Cook the orzo – in a large pot, boil salted water and cook the orzo al dente according to package instructions. Drain, and set aside.
2. In a large pan, add the butter and heat on low heat until melted. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the garlic begins to lightly brown. Stir in the heavy cream, salt, and spinach, and stir until spinach has wilted. Toss in the orzo and stir.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet skin-side down (be sure that all bones or scales are removed from the fish before eating). In a small bowl, add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Mix well to combine, and coat the tops of the salmon.
4. Bake salmon at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Divide the orzo into two bowls, and serve the salmon on each. Top with fresh parsley and lemon wedges to garnish.
6. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

More Modern Salmon & Seafood Recipes

• Honey Old Bay Salmon
• How to Grill Shrimp Without Skewers
• Big Green Egg Salmon
• Shrimp Scampi Recipe Without Wine
• Low Sodium Baked Halibut

If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Salmon Orzo with Spinach & Lemon

By: Kelly Jensen

This salmon orzo with spinach recipe makes a fantastic dinner bowl – loaded with tender flaky salmon, garlicky orzo, and spinach. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this quick and easy dinner is perfect to make for a date night or for guests.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 2 servings

Calories 616 kcal

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Large Pan
• Sheet Pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup orzo
• Water for boiling the orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
• 2 6- ounce salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh lemon wedges

Instructions

 

• Cook the orzo – in a large pot, boil water and cook the orzo according to package instructions. Drain, and set aside.
• In a large pan, add the butter and heat on low heat until melted. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the garlic begins to lightly brown. Stir in the heavy cream, salt, and spinach, and stir until spinach has wilted. Toss in the orzo and stir.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet skin-side down (be sure that all bones or scales are removed from the fish before eating). In a small bowl, add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Mix well to combine, and coat the tops of the salmon.
• Bake salmon at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Divide the orzo into two bowls, and serve the salmon on each. Top with fresh lemon to garnish.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Notes

Variations and Add-Ins

• Top with fresh herbs (like parsley or fresh dill) for a bright fresh flavor.
• Drizzle in some balsamic vinegar for more acidity.
• Add lemon zest along with the juice.
• Add feta cheese or parmesan cheese on top.
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, or pine nuts for an Italian flair.
• Add 1/2 cup of white wine to the sauce.
• Add fresh asparagus, artichoke hearts, and briny olives for a Mediterranean flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 616kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 28gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 805mgPotassium: 664mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 837IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 2mg

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