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+ servings

Salmon Pasta Without Cream

A creamy, no-cream salmon pasta with broccoli, baked in one dish for an easy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dinner, Pasta, Quick Meals
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz penne, rigatoni, or rotini pasta
  • 1/4 cup olive oil divided
  • 12 oz broccoli florets torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 pound salmon fillet center cut, skin removed if desired
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 to 3 oz fresh mozzarella torn into small pieces
  • to taste kosher salt
  • to taste black pepper freshly ground

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, toss the broccoli with 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Push the broccoli to one side, place the cream cheese in the center, and lay the salmon on the other side. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the salmon and cream cheese. Sprinkle everything with Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper, tossing the garlic with the broccoli as you go.
  3. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and the broccoli is tender with crispy edges. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  4. Remove the salmon from the dish and set aside. Pour in about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and stir the broccoli, cream cheese, and pasta together until well combined. Add the torn mozzarella and stir until melted from the residual heat; if needed, return the dish to the oven for 3 minutes.
  5. Add more pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Break the salmon into bite-sized pieces and scatter over the pasta. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 720mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4g

Notes

For a migraine-friendly version, use an Italian seasoning without onion powder. If you don't have cream cheese, Boursin or goat cheese works beautifully; reduce the garlic and seasoning if using garlic-herb Boursin. To make this gluten-free, swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta. A squeeze of Meyer lemon adds brightness if tolerated. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of water.

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