Description
This Garlic Baked Feta Salmon Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish combining tender baked salmon, blistered cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese with perfectly cooked pasta. Infused with garlic, lemon, and fresh basil, it’s an easy Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite)
- 1 (6-ounce) salmon fillet (skin removed, if preferred)
- 1 block (6–8 ounces) feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
Seasonings and Extras
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach or arugula (optional)
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Arrange Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center. Arrange the cherry tomatoes and the salmon fillet (skin removed if preferred) around the feta.
- Season and Bake: Drizzle the olive oil over the feta, tomatoes, and salmon. Sprinkle with minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily, and the tomatoes are blistered.
- Cook the Pasta: While the feta and salmon bake, cook the pasta according to the package directions in salted water. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Prepare the Sauce and Combine: Remove the salmon from the baking dish and flake it with a fork. Stir the baked feta, tomatoes, and seasonings in the baking dish to create a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the dish and stir everything together. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it by adding some reserved pasta water.
- Finish with Greens and Citrus: Gently fold in the flaked salmon, fresh spinach or arugula (if using), lemon zest, and lemon juice. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm, topped with fresh basil and an optional extra drizzle of olive oil for added richness.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the feta with a dairy-free feta alternative.
- Add olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the baking dish for an extra briny and flavorful twist.
- Leftovers store well and reheat beautifully, making this dish great for meal prep.
