Description

This Pesto Salmon Pasta Bake is a deliciously comforting dish featuring tender grilled salmon, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and nutritious broccoli, all tossed with creamy mascarpone and flavorful pesto. Baked to golden perfection with a crispy parmesan and breadcrumb topping, it’s an easy one-dish meal perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Vegetables

150g cherry tomatoes, halved or sliced
2 salmon fillets (about 260g)
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 small broccoli (about 300g), cut into small florets

Pasta and Sauce

350g penne
150g pesto
250g mascarpone

Topping

50g breadcrumbs
20g grated parmesan

Instructions

Grill the Salmon and Tomatoes: Preheat your grill to high. Place the cherry tomatoes and salmon fillets on a baking tray, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with half of the olive oil. Grill for about 10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the tomatoes are soft and juicy. Once done, leave to cool.
Cook the Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Add the broccoli florets in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving a large mugful of the cooking water for later use.
Combine Pasta with Sauce and Salmon: Return the drained pasta and broccoli to the pan. Stir in the pesto, mascarpone, and half of the grilled tomatoes. Add enough reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to the consistency of double cream. Flake the grilled salmon into chunks, discarding the skin, and gently fold it into the pasta mixture.
Prepare the Baking Dish and Topping: Transfer the pasta mixture into a large baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with grated parmesan and the remaining olive oil. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the pasta. Scatter the remaining grilled tomatoes on top.
Bake the Pasta: If you intend to bake immediately, preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6. Bake the dish for 20 minutes until the topping is golden and crunchy. If refrigerated, bake for 25 minutes from chilled. This dish can be covered and chilled for up to 24 hours before baking.

Notes

Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps to thin the sauce and bind it to the pasta.
You can substitute mascarpone with cream cheese for a slightly tangier flavor.
Ensure not to overcook the salmon during grilling to keep it moist and flaky.
For a gluten-free option, substitute penne and breadcrumbs with gluten-free varieties.
This dish can be prepared ahead and baked fresh when needed, making it perfect for meal prep.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: pesto salmon pasta bake, baked pasta, salmon recipes, pesto pasta, easy dinner, comfort food