Description
This Creamy Tuscan Salmon Orzo is a luxurious, restaurant-quality meal. Featuring perfectly seared wild Alaskan salmon in a velvety, herb-infused orzo sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach, it’s a sophisticated 30-minute dinner that delivers ultimate comfort.
Ingredients
The Salmon & Seasoning
- 2 wild Alaskan salmon fillets (4–6 oz each)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
The Tuscan Orzo & Sauce
- 8 oz orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce or marinara
- 1/2 cup chicken bone broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (dairy-free optional)
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh spinach, chopped
Garnish
- Fresh parsley and basil leaves
Instructions
Prep: Season salmon with paprika, basil, and garlic powder. Cook orzo for 7–8 mins until slightly underdone; drain.
Sear: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet. Sear salmon for 4 mins per side until golden. Remove and tent with foil.
Sauce Base: Sauté garlic, shallots, and mushrooms for 2–3 mins. Stir in tomato sauce, broth, cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Simmer for 3 mins.
Combine: Fold orzo and spinach into the sauce until coated and spinach is wilted.
Finish: Nestle salmon back into the pan. Cover and cook for 3 mins to warm through. Garnish and serve.
Notes
The Perfect Sear: Don’t move the salmon once it hits the pan to ensure a crusty, golden exterior.
Orzo Texture: Under-cooking the orzo by a minute allows it to finish in the sauce without turning mushy.
Bone Broth: Using bone broth adds depth and a protein boost compared to regular stock.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan / Skillet
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Fillet with Orzo
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy tuscan salmon, salmon orzo recipe, one pan salmon dinner, sun-dried tomato pasta, healthy mediterranean meals, 30 minute seafood recipes