This creamy salmon and broccoli pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender salmon, a rich, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Whether you’re craving a delicious weeknight dinner or looking for a dish to impress guests, this creamy salmon pasta is quick, easy, and full of flavor. It’s the best of both worlds—simple yet indulgent!
This dish is inspired by one of my childhood favorites. Growing up, my parents would make this Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake and it was my absolute favorite! Juicy pieces of salmon that was usually smoked on the grill, because that was one of my dad’s favorite ways to make salmon. Then added to a casserole dish with broccoli and cooked penne noodles, all tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s baked to perfection marrying all the flavors together into the most delicious baked pasta. As a family of 5 it was a great dish to feed us all and have leftovers!
I hadn’t had it in years and had a serious craving for it. It’s delicious, and comes together pretty quickly. Hearty and delicious!
Ingredients for Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Rigatoni: feel free to use your choice of pasta. Any short and sturdy pasta will work for this recipe.
Salmon: I used Atlantic Salmon. No need to cut it into pieces unless you prefer to serve it separate.
Broccoli: florets.
Shallots: or red onions, minced.
Garlic: minced
Seasonings: Old Bay, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Complete seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper.
Cheese: I used a blend of Parmesan cheese + Mozzarella.
Heavy cream: this makes the pasta super creamy.
Pasta Water: always reserve some pasta water when making pasta.
Butter: unsalted.
Olive Oil: use a good quality olive oil. My favorite is from Graza EVOO.
How to make Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake?
This pasta is very simple to make-
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions for al dente.
- Prepare the Protein: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season the salmon with olive oil, Complete seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and Old Bay. Rub until coated. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. The salmon should flake easily when fully cooked.
- Steam Broccoli: in a pan, over medium heat, cover and steam the broccoli for 8-10 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: In another skillet, add butter and oil. Once it begins to bubble, add in red pepper flakes and, shallots and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Once the aromatics cook down, pour in heavy cream. Once it begins to bubble reduce the heat to medium low. Stir in seasonings and grated parmesan cheese until combined.
- Bring it together: Combine the pasta to the sauce. Tossing until fully coated. Add pasta water to loosen the consistency. Then add in the cooked broccoli. Mix wel. Transfer the pasta to an oven safe dish. Fold in the salmon. Top the pasta with shredded mozzarella/ or Italian mixed cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Enjoy: Serve warm with bread and salad and enjoy!
Recipe Variations For This Salmon and broccoli pasta bake
While this creamy salmon pasta is perfect as-is, feel free to get creative!
Protein alternatives:
- chicken breast
- steak
- shrimp
- crab
- mushrooms
- zucchini
What to serve this Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake?
- cheesy garlic bread
- salad
- grilled veggies
How To Store Leftover Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake?
You can store your left over pasta in an airtight/storage container for up to 4 days.
More Pasta Recipes To Enjoy
Creamy Cajun Pasta
Spicy Harissa Pasta
Chicken Rasta Pasta
Million Dollar Stuffed Shells
Creamy Sausage & Kale Rigatoni
If you try my Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake I’d love to hear your feedback. Please be sure to leave a comment, and/or tag me on Instagram @cookwithci. I would love to see your recreations and hear your thoughts.
Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- Rigatoni
- 1 lb Salmon
- 1 head of broccoli cut into florets
- 1-2 cups Mozzarella cheese or Italian mixed cheese
For Salmon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Badia Complete seasoning or all purpose seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Old Bay
- 1/4 tsp paprika
For Pasta Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 shallot or red onion minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 of a lemon about 1 tbsp
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp Badia Complete seasoning
- 1/4 tsp Old Bay
- 1/4 tsp salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Clean and pat dry salmon. Add a drizzle of olive oil, and season with onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay, Complete seasoning and paprika. Rub until the salmon is fully coated. Add the salmon to a parchment lined baking sheet and roast 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and using fork to flake the salmon in to large chunks.
- Bring salted water to a boil then cook the pasta al dente, about 9 minutes. Set aside 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining. While the pasta cooks, steam the broccoli for 10 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add butter and olive oil. Once it begins to bubble add in garlic, shallots and red pepper flakes. Sautè until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and pour in heavy whipping cream. Once it begins to bubble slightly about 1-2 minutes add in seasonings and lemon juice mixing until combined. Next, stir in grated parmesan cheese and mix until smooth and the sauce begins to thicken, about 2-3. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- When the pasta is done cooking, pour the sauce over the the pasta and mix until combined. Then stir in the broccoli, tossing until coated. Add in pasta water if needed.
- Add the tossed pasta to a oven-safe dish. Add in the salmon pieces then toss until combined. Top with mozzarella or Italian mixed cheese. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melty.
- Serve warm with a side of bread. Add extra parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes is desired.
Notes
Did you make it?
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