Easy Salmon Pesto Pasta - Flavorful Fish With Noodles Recipe

When you’re craving comfort food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this Easy Salmon Pasta is the answer. Think about it: perfectly roasted salmon with a little Cajun kick, tossed over twirly spaghetti coated in fresh pesto. That’s a flavor combo you don’t see every day in pasta fish recipes—but trust me, it totally works.

Here’s the best part: dinner hits the table in under 30 minutes. No marathon cooking session, no mountain of dirty dishes. Just a quick and tasty pesto meal recipe you’ll come back to again and again. And FYI, you don’t even have to make homemade pesto (unless you’re feeling fancy). Grab a jar from the store, roast up some salmon, cook your noodles, and boom—your new weeknight hero is born.

Now, you might be wondering—“Cajun spices with pesto? Really?” Yep, really. The smoky, slightly spicy salmon takes those bright, garlicky basil flavors to the next level. Honestly, it feels like one of those creative salmon recipes a chef would sneak onto a menu to surprise you. IMO, it’s even better than the classic Cajun chicken and Caesar salad combo that inspired it.

If you’re on the hunt for salmon with noodles recipes that are flavorful but still wholesome, this one checks every box. The salmon brings healthy protein and omega-3s, while the pasta keeps it satisfying without going overboard. So yes, this is a salmon pasta healthy option that doesn’t taste like “diet food.” Win-win.

Want to switch things up? Try swapping in linguine for spaghetti, or even play around with crab pesto pasta for a little seafood twist. This dish is versatile, easy, and downright crave-worthy. So next time you’re stuck between comfort food and healthy-ish choices, remember this gem from the list of must-try pasta recipes salmon lovers will adore.

Easy Salmon Pesto Pasta - Flavorful Fish With Noodles Recipe

Author: Aleda | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 25 mins | Servings: 3-4 | Category: Pasta | Method: Oven | Cuisine: American

Ingredients:

• 9 oz (250g) spaghetti
• 10–14 oz (300–400g) raw salmon (boneless, skin on or off—your choice)
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 2 tsp Cajun spice blend
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ cup pesto sauce
• ¼ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Rinse the salmon and pat dry. Cut it into even chunks, about 1½ inches each, and place them in a medium mixing bowl.
3. Drizzle the salmon with avocado oil and toss until each piece is lightly coated.
4. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning and sea salt over the salmon, then toss again so the seasoning is evenly distributed. Chill in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
5. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, about 11–13 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
6. While the spaghetti cooks, arrange the salmon chunks on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece.
7. Roast the salmon in the oven for 6–8 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces, until cooked through but still juicy.
8. Drain the pasta, keeping some of the cooking water. Return the noodles to the pot.
9. Stir in the pesto, a splash of the reserved pasta water, Pecorino cheese, and a few grinds of black pepper. Toss gently to coat, adding more pasta water if needed to create a silky sauce.
10. Serve the pasta with the roasted salmon on top. Finish with extra Pecorino, black pepper, and lemon wedges for squeezing over the dish.

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