Salmon and Leek Pasta Bake is a super simple recipe. It’s tasty, easy, and, fabulously creamy. An awesome family dinner that ticks all the boxes.
I love pasta. I could happily eat it all of the time. This means that I have to find new things to do with it!
Pasta Bake is a big favourite in our house. Whether it’s a spicy sausage, or chicken and chorizo, we love a simple baked pasta meal.
Salmon has such a great flavour, that works well with pasta and leeks in this creamy sauce.
What Kind of Pasta Should You Use for Salmon and Leek Pasta Bake?
You can use most pasta for this Salmon and Leek Pasta. I prefer tube types, like Penne or Rigatoni. Fusilli, bows, shells, and other shapes would work well too.
The pasta that you use for your Creamy Salmon Pasta Bake can be white or brown, just be aware that if it’s wholewheat it will take a little longer to cook.
How to Cook Pasta for Pasta Bake
When I make Salmon Pasta Bake I partially cook the pasta, and then let it finish cooking as it bakes in the oven.
As a general rule, I follow the packet instructions, but only cook for half of the time specified. For white pasta, this is usually around 5-6 minutes, and longer for brown.
Can You Make Pasta Bake with Tinned Salmon?
Yes! Salmon pasta bake recipes are great because they are super versatile and easy to change.
I often use tinned salmon, or tinned tuna to make pasta bake.
Making a filling family dinner recipe with tinned salmon is a great way to save money and make the most of what’s in your cupboards.
Just switch the salmon fillets for a drained tin of salmon and follow this recipe for salmon pasta bake as it is.
Making a Healthier Salmon Pasta Bake
This Salmon Leek Pasta Bake isn’t the healthiest meal in the world.
Yes, it’s nutritious and filling, and the calories are well worth it for the great creamy taste.
But, if you are looking to cut calories and fat, there are a few changes that you can make.
First, switch out the double cream. Instead, use single cream, or half-fat crème fraiche. You could also reduce the cream (or skip it entirely if you don’t mind losing the creamy taste) and add some vegetable stock to compensate.
Then, simply skip the cheddar and just top with parmesan.
If you want to add more nutrients to your leek and salmon pasta, use wholewheat pasta, add extra spinach and throw in 100g of frozen peas or sweetcorn.
What to Serve with Creamy Salmon and Leek Pasta
This Salmon and Leek Recipe has everything that you need. There’s pasta, fish and vegetables.
So, you could serve it on its own quite easily. But, if you want to add something extra to your easy salmon pasta bake you could serve it with garlic bread and/or salad.
How to Make Salmon and Leek Pasta Bake
Baked salmon pasta is super simple.
You basically just need to fry the onions, salmon and leeks, add the cream and simmer until thick. Pour over the part cooked pasta, top with cheese and bake.
Creamy Salmon and Leek Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- Cooking Spray (or a splash of oil)
- 2 Salmon Fillets (Flaked)
- 2 Leeks (Chopped)
- 1 Onion (Finely Diced)
- 100 g Baby Spinach
- 300 ml Double Cream
- Pinch Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons Tarragon
- 300 g Penne (Cooked To Packet Instructions, but for half of the specified time – for white pasta, this is typically around 5-6 minutes)
- 50 g Parmesan (Grated)
- 50 g Cheddar (Grated)
Instructions
- Gently heat around 10 sprays of cooking oil in a large pan.
- Fry the onions and leeks for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add the salmon and fry until pink.
- Pour in the double cream, add the tarragon, salt and pepper, and spinach, and stir.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
- Remove from the heat, add the cooked pasta and stir until thoroughly covered in sauce.
- Gently tip into the ovenproof dish and top with the cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the cheese has browned.
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
