Imagine a restaurant-quality meal that transforms your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience, without spending hours in the kitchen. This Salmon with Asparagus and Farfalla Pasta recipe is your ticket to a delicious, nutritious, and impressively elegant dinner that will make your taste buds dance and your family think you've secretly trained as a professional chef!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 8 oz farfalla pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the farfalla pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Trim the woody ends of the asparagus. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch pieces, discarding the tough bottom sections.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix minced garlic with olive oil to create a quick marinade.
- Arrange the salmon fillets and asparagus on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the salmon and asparagus with the garlic-olive oil mixture.
- Place lemon slices around and on top of the salmon fillets to infuse additional flavor during cooking.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, and the asparagus is tender-crisp.
- While the salmon and asparagus are cooking, toss the cooked pasta with a little reserved pasta water to keep it moist and prevent sticking.
- Plate the dish by creating a bed of farfalla pasta, placing a salmon fillet on top, and arranging asparagus pieces around the salmon.
- Garnish with additional fresh lemon slices and a light drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Always pat your salmon fillets dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect sear and prevent steaming.
- Use fresh, high-quality salmon for the best flavor and texture.
- Don't overcook the salmon - it should be slightly translucent in the center and flake easily.
- Reserve some pasta water to help create a silky coating for your farfalla pasta.
- Use fresh lemon slices both during cooking and as a garnish to enhance the fish's natural flavors.
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley as a final garnish.
- Ensure your oven is fully preheated to get that perfect roast on both salmon and asparagus.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 526kcal
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 31g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 70mg
