Salmon with orzo and spinach is a complete meal in one recipe. This is one of my favorite kinds of meals because everything you need is in one bowl. A salad on the side is nice, but with the spinach, you don’t even need that.
Salmon goes with so many things and it can be prepared in many different ways. My favorite method for cooking salmon is the pan-seared method used in this recipe. It’s simple, quick, and it yields very tasty salmon filets.
Ingredients
To make this recipe you’ll need these ingredients:
- Fresh or frozen salmon filets – use boneless, skinless salmon if you can find it.
- Orzo pasta – this is a good choice for this recipe. Its small size makes it easy to mix with the spinach and garlic, and the salmon easily rests on top of that mixture without sliding off.
- Spinach – bagged, fresh spinach is best, but frozen spinach will work.
- Garlic – adds a wonderful flavor when sautéed with the orzo.
- Olive oil – used to pan-sear the salmon.
- Fresh rosemary – an optional but flavorful herb to add while the salmon is cooking.
Making Salmon with Orzo & Spinach
Step 1 – Cook the Pasta
- Cook the orzo pasta first; then drain and rinse it.
- Set it aside for later.
Step 2 – Prep for Cooking
- The easiest way to make this salmon with orzo and spinach recipe is to use two skillets.
- Add some olive oil to each skillet.
Step 3 – Cook the Salmon
- Put a fresh sprig of rosemary in the skillet and put the filet on top of the rosemary.
- Cook it on high heat for about a minute to sear the salmon.
- Add some salt and pepper to the salmon.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cover the salmon.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes.
- When you turn the salmon filets to cook on the other side, make sure the rosemary stays with the filets.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- The rosemary will cook with the salmon, adding flavor and making a pretty garnish.
Step 4 – Heat the Orzo and Spinach
- After the salmon has started cooking, add the minced garlic to the other skillet and cook the garlic on medium heat for about two minutes.
- Add the drained and rinsed orzo to the garlic, stirring to coat the orzo with olive oil.
- Toss in the spinach and stir the mixture until the spinach is thoroughly cooked.
- Turn off the heat to that skillet.
Serve the Salmon with Orzo and Spinach
When the salmon is completely cooked, transfer the orzo spinach mixture to plates or bowls and put the cooked salmon on top. Remove the rosemary just before diving into this terrific meal.
If you like salmon, try salmon bok choy with soba noodles!
Salmon with Orzo & Spinach
This salmon with orzo and spinach is one of my favorite kinds of meals because everything you need is in one bowl. This pan-seared salmon tastes great with the orzo pasta and fresh spinach.
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Ingredients
- 2 salmon filets about 112 grams each, or 4 ounces each
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 cup of orzo pasta cooked
- 1 cup of fresh spinach
- 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta first; then drain and rinse it.
- Get out two skillets and put two teaspoons of olive oil in the one you’ll use to cook the salmon and one tablespoon of olive oil in the one you’ll use to cook the orzo and spinach.
- (Optional) Put a sprig of rosemary in the skillet you plan to use for the salmon.
- Put the salmon filets on top of the rosemary and cook on high heat for about a minute to sear the salmon.
- Add some salt and pepper to the salmon.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cover the salmon.
- Cook for about three minutes and turn the salmon, making sure that the rosemary stays with the salmon.
- Turn the other skillet on to low heat and add the minced garlic.
- Cook the garlic on medium heat for about two minutes.
- Add a little salt and the drained and rinsed orzo to the garlic, stirring to coat the orzo with olive oil.
- Put the spinach in the skillet with the garlic and orzo and and stir the mixture until the spinach is thoroughly cooked.
- Turn off the heat to that skillet.
- When the salmon is completely cooked, transfer the orzo spinach mixture to plates or bowls and add the cooked salmon on top.
- Remove the rosemary just before eating.
Notes
Salmon filets vary in size. The nutrition info is based on filets that are about 112 grams.
Products used in this recipe
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This looks great. I’m adding it to my menu list for the week
Thanks, Magda! This is one of our favorites. I hope you enjoy it.
Just made this for dinner tonight. It was “oh, so good” and easy. Thanks
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know.
We do love salmon. Orzo is a fun pasta to eat. Sounds like a great meal for any night of the week. Healthy and nutritious.
Thank you!
Oooh, this looks so tasty! I love salmon, and this dish is great because it’s like a main dish and a side, all in one! So easy and tasty for dinner. 🙂
You had me at one dish. I love salmon recipes like this that are full of flavor but super simple to make.
Thanks!
Thank you!
I bought orzo for the first time some months ago and love it. This recipe comes in at the perfect time! Eating it with salmon and spinach is just perfect, super flavorful yet simple. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
A simple but wholesome meal and perfect for any occasion. Love the orzo with the salmon…perfectly balanced.
Orzo and Salmon is such a perfect match. I like some spinach, too… but mostly because they say I need to eat some vegetables. Anyway, this is a perfect, simple recipe with a ton of classic flavor. That it is good for me is just an added bonus.
Thanks!
Thanks, Ben. Definitely eat your veggies. ?
This is such an easy and healthy dinner!! It’s going to become a go to at our house!
What a perfectly balanced meal you have here. Sure to please any seafood lover!
Thanks, I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you!
I love how light and yet satisfying and filling this meal is. Salmon is one of my favourite fish!
Yes, it’s filling but not too heavy. Thanks!