Description
A rich and comforting main dish featuring tender garlic butter salmon served over creamy mushroom and spinach orzo. This recipe blends savory, silky, and aromatic flavors for a restaurant quality meal that comes together quickly and easily.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets, 5 to 6 ounces each
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, then sear the salmon skin side up for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add butter, then stir in garlic and onion. Cook until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Add mushrooms and cook until softened and browned, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the orzo to coat it in the garlic butter base, then pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Add spinach and stir until wilted, then mix in Parmesan cheese and lemon zest.
- Nestle the salmon back into the skillet, spooning some garlic butter over each fillet. Warm for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Note: Let the orzo sit for 2 minutes before serving so it thickens properly.
- Use fresh garlic to enhance the depth of flavor.
- If reheating, add a splash of broth to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plated serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: garlic butter salmon, creamy orzo, mushroom orzo, spinach orzo, salmon skillet, weeknight dinner