Description
This Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta Bake is a satisfying, easy family dinner that offers rich, savory flavor and healthy protein. It’s a reliable comfort food recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 12 oz medium-sized pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or rotini)
- 8 oz flaked hot-smoked salmon
- 1.5 cups heavy cream or half-and-half (evaporated milk optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheese blend (Parmesan or Gruyère)
- 0.25 cup shredded cheese blend (for topping)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (or olive oil)
- 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 0.5 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta until al dente, then drain well.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Sauté diced yellow onion until translucent (3-4 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build Creamy Sauce: Add heavy cream to the skillet and simmer for 5-7 minutes until bubbles appear. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese until smooth, then season with salt, pepper, and chopped dill. Stir until the sauce coats a spoon.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the flaked smoked salmon and cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring everything is well combined and coated.
- Bake Pasta Bake: Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with the remaining 0.25 cup of shredded cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling and golden. If the dish seems dry, add a splash of milk.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the baked pasta with fresh lemon zest and additional fresh dill. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For convenience, pasta can be cooked ahead of time. If the pasta bake seems dry during baking, add a splash of milk. Let it rest for 5 minutes after baking before serving. Consider using evaporated milk for a lighter sauce, or substituting olive oil for butter. For extra flavor, try fresh chives or smoked paprika.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (200 g)
- Calories: 700 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg