When you’re feeling lazy, it’s so handy to have something that you could make in bulk and dip into for a few days. Pasta bake is one of those go-to recipes for such quick fixes, but it’s often viewed as more of a Winter food with all that stodge and creamy sauce and lashings of cheese. With a few tweaks I came up with a lighter option for the hot weather: nice and balanced with plenty of flavour!
Summer Salmon Pasta Bake
- 3 cups of whole wheat pasta
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 pack/bunch asparagus
- 1 cup of peas
- 2 tbsp mascarpone
- 1 packet of parseley sauce mix
- 1 cup semi skimmed milk
- 1 tsp red pesto
- 2 garlic cloves
- Strong cheddar for grating on top
1. The Pasta. Put it on to boil. Cook until just underdone. Drain. Stir in the garlic, mascarpone & red pesto. The pesto is there to add a tangy kick amid all the mellow flavours.
2. The salmon. Wrap in foil with olive oil & salt. In the oven at 200c for 15 minutes. Flake it up in big chunks.
3. The veg. Steam/boil your asparagus (cut into chunks) and peas. Add to a pan on medium heat. Add the parsley sauce mix. Stir in the milk bit by bit until you have a thick sauce. You don’t want it to be too runny or thin!
Time to construct! Add a layer of pasta along the bottom of a dish, then add all of the veg.
Yes, this recipe calls for a lot of greens! Veggie power! Or something like that. Anyway, add your salmon on top.
Finally, add the rest of the pasta and grate over it a nice layer of cheddar.
Everything is cooked at this point, so you only need to put the dish into the oven for everyone to make friends. 10 minutes at 180c should do the trick.
Whole wheat pasta is not only a healthier option because it’s a complex carb (unlike its cousin white pasta) but it also has more of a bite to it, meaning your pasta bake will have a delicious crispy, chewy topping!
It will have sealed in the heat when cooking, meaning lovely and juicy salmon and peas underneath.
In this pasta bake the meat & veg are complimented by cheese and sauce, rather than drowning in it. The ratio of pasta is less as well so not nearly as stodgy. This is such an easy dish that’s incredibly tasty & filling, perfect with a chilled glass of white wine on a Sunny evening!
1 comment
That looks so bloody tasty!