Description
Creamy Salmon Orzo is a rich, one-pan comfort dish featuring perfectly seared salmon over a velvety spinach and Parmesan orzo with roasted red peppers and a hint of lemon.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Creamy Spinach Orzo:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup orzo (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup roasted red bell peppers, chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 oz fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat salmon dry and season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon skin-side up for 3–4 minutes, flip, and cook another 2–3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion in olive oil for 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and Italian seasoning, cook for 30–60 seconds.
- Stir in orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 6–10 minutes until tender.
- Stir in cream, roasted red peppers, Parmesan, spinach, and lemon juice. Cook until spinach wilts.
- Return salmon to the skillet and warm through.
- Garnish with herbs and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan.
- Add a splash of broth if the sauce thickens too much.
- Substitute kale or arugula for spinach if desired.
- Let salmon rest briefly before serving for juicier texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg