Description
A light and flavorful salmon orzo pasta dish featuring tender pan-seared salmon fillets served over lemony orzo tossed with sautéed garlic, shallots, spinach, and fresh dill. This healthy meal combines vibrant citrus notes with hearty greens for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 2 4-6 ounce salmon fillets
- 1 tsp avocado oil (good for high heat cooking)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Orzo Pasta and Vegetables
- 2/3 cup dry orzo
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 4 cups baby spinach (see notes for other veggie ideas!)
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Salmon: Brush salmon fillets with avocado oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Set aside while preparing the pasta.
- Cook Orzo: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the orzo according to package instructions, about 6-7 minutes. Drain and return orzo to the warm pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped shallot, sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Add baby spinach and sauté for another 2 minutes, or until wilted.
- Combine Orzo and Veggies: Transfer the sautéed garlic, shallot, and spinach mixture into the pot with the drained orzo. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped dill, and season with salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Salmon: Reheat the pan used for vegetables until hot enough that a drop of water sizzles. Place salmon fillets skin side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until the sides look opaque. Flip salmon skin side up, turn off heat, and let cook an additional 2-3 minutes until fully cooked and tender. Check doneness by slicing into the thickest part of the fillet.
- Serve: Divide the lemony orzo and vegetable mixture equally into two bowls. Top each serving with a cooked salmon fillet. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute baby spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or arugula for different flavors and textures.
- Make sure not to overcook the salmon to keep it tender and moist inside.
- Using avocado oil for salmon is ideal due to its high smoke point, ensuring a perfect sear.
- Fresh dill can be substituted with parsley or basil if preferred.
