Looking to savor the goodness of salmon in a whole new way? Our cheesy salmon pasta, teamed up with fresh spinach and earthy mushrooms, could be your family’s solution to an easy dinner plus it packs a punch of Omega-3s.

What’s so Great About Cheesy Salmon Pasta?

Salmon is one of those “superfoods” that adds a ton of protein and healthy fats to our diets. It’s also expensive! If you’re a busy mom like me, you’re probably always trying to find ways to get your kids these nutrients without breaking the budget.

I’m always looking for ways to sneak in a bit of salmon to get my pickier eaters a serving of heart healthy omega three fatty acids. I like to find creative ways for everyone in my family of six to get more salmon without having to dish out $50 for dinner for us all. My family enjoys this versatile salmon recipe with mushrooms and spinach.  

Salmon pasta is a wonderful way to enjoy salmon in a frugal way. (It’s delicious, too!)

The nutrients are important, but I also need a quick salmon recipe as we are always on the go. Make this entire meal in under 30 minutes – cooking salmon is actually really easy. Are you inspired to try something new tonight?

What’s the best type of salmon to use in this pasta recipe?

Buy wild caught Alaska Sock-eye salmon whenever possible. It’s a little more expensive than farmed salmon, but the health benefits are significantly better. Farmed salmon has more fat than wild-caught salmon, and it does not have the beneficial ratio between healthy Omega 3s and bad Omega 6s. The ratio of healthy fats is better in wild-caught salmon.

Finding Sitka Salmon

I have found wild-caught salmon at Costco and Aldi, bought it from Butcher Box, and was recently sent some Sitka Salmon to try out. Usually, I’m skeptical of home delivery foods (I’m not sure why – we buy plenty from Amazon). The Sitka Salmon was nice, though, and I appreciate the attention to the packaging, too.

It included a recyclable plastic liner and compostable foam. Put these in your home compost pile and watch it disappear. If you don’t have a compost heap, dissolve the foam in water to make nutritious food for your plants! How awesome is that?

Additionally, the salmon is first rate. It’s wild-caught, just the way I like it. It’s traceable to fishermen who are paid an above average salary for their work, and the company purchases carbon offsets and promotes small-scale fisheries and conservation in Alaska. This is a salmon I can feel good about having shipped right to my door!

Ingredients for Cheesy Salmon Pasta

Salmon pasta is quick, easy, and affordable. Most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen and easily found in grocery stores.

• Pasta – Use your favorite kind of pasta. My kids love bowtie, rotini, and shells the most.
• Wild-caught Salmon
• Spinach (or other veggies)
• Mushrooms (or other veggies)
• Salt and pepper
• Onion
• Garlic

Can I use other vegetables than spinach and mushrooms?

Combine and use vegetables in this salmon pasta recipe that you and your family love. We like the combo of spinach and mushrooms. If you don’t like mushrooms, leave them out or replace with broccoli, zucchini, or your other favorite.

Choose a protein-packed pasta

Like I mentioned above, the shape of pasta is really up to you. Use whatever type of pasta floats your boat. I like organic pasta from Costco, but Aldi has a great option, too, if you’re gluten-free.

Recently we tried a high protein pasta called Banza Pasta that is quite tasty. It’s made made from chickpeas with 25 g of protein and 13 g of fiber per serving! The texture and flavor are earthier than white flour pasta. It is yummy.

Make Cheesy Salmon Pasta Recipe

Gather your ingredients, and boil a pot of salted water to cook your pasta. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions when the water is boiling. I like my pasta a little al dente, so I don’t usually cook it as long as the package says. Drain and reserve pasta for later.

While the pasta is cooking, heat butter or oil over medium heat in a large pot. I love my 7 1/4  qt, oven proof Le Creuset Dutch Oven, by the way. It was expensive but worth every penny!

Once the butter is melted, salt and pepper the salmon fillets. Cook skin side down for 3-4 minutes. Flip the salmon and cook for 3-4 more minutes. The skin should be crispy and easy to peel off after you flip it, so peel that skin off. 

Add another tablespoon of butter or olive oil if you prefer now. Then, add diced onions and sliced mushrooms. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook another 1 -2 minutes. Put the salmon back in the pot.

If you haven’t already, take off the skin from the salmon. Break the salmon into small pieces using your spatula. Add spinach, and cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is cooked through.

{By the way, I’ve found that by chopping my spinach up very small, I can claim it’s an herb, and my picky eaters don’t even notice it. If I didn’t have picky eaters, I would not chop it so small.}

By now, your pasta should be finished cooking, and you can add it to the pot with the veggies and the salmon.

Reduce heat to low. Add two cups of shredded cheese and stir until melted. You should end up with an ooey-goey delightful pasta. Remove from heat and top with the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.  I sometimes add a splash of lemon juice to this creamy salmon pasta recipe, too.

Grab a fork and dig in! This dish is so tasty I don’t need to bother with a plate. 😉

If you’d like more salmon recipe inspiration, here you go!

Salmon Street Tacos

Greek Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Creamy Salmon Pasta with Lemon Caper Cream Sauce

We all know the benefits of eating salmon. Combine those Omega 3s and protein with pasta and nutritious vegetables for a quick and easy salmon pasta dinner. Do you have a favorite salmon pasta dish to share? Let me know in the comments.