Oven-Roasted Salmon with Greens and Orzo

Name: Oven-Roasted Salmon with Greens and Orzo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 pound salmon fillets (skin on or off); 1.5 teaspoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.5 teaspoon salt (to taste); 0.25 teaspoon black pepper (to taste); 1 lemon (half sliced, half for juice); 2 cup orzo pasta (uncooked); 8 cup vegetable broth; 2 tablespoon olive oil; 4 ounce sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped); 4 clove garlic (minced); 1 package fresh spinach; 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

Flaky oven-roasted salmon seasoned with herbs and lemon, served with tender orzo pasta tossed with sun-dried tomatoes and sautéed spinach for a vibrant and balanced meal.

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 25 min
Total: 45 min
Servings: 10
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $4.12/serving

Dietary

Gluten-Free
Dairy-Free
Nut-Free
Egg-Free
Pescatarian
High-Protein
Low-Sugar

Ingredients

2 pound salmon fillets (skin on or off)
1.5 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon salt (to taste)
0.25 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
1 lemon (half sliced, half for juice)
2 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)
8 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounce sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)
4 clove garlic (minced)
1 package fresh spinach
0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pat salmon fillets dry. Rub with 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Season with dried oregano, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Arrange salmon on the baking sheet and top with lemon slices.
Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
While salmon roasts, cook orzo according to package directions in vegetable broth (instead of water), ensuring it’s tender but not mushy. Drain excess broth if needed.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the cooked orzo.
Remove salmon from the oven. Squeeze lemon juice over the salmon and orzo mixture. Stir 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper into the orzo, or to taste.
Serve the roasted salmon alongside the spinach and sun-dried tomato orzo. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Orzo can be substituted with brown rice or quinoa for a different grain option. The salmon can be gently reheated, or enjoyed cold on subsequent days.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 450
Protein: 34.2 g
Carbohydrates: 38.5 g
Fat: 18.5 g
Fiber: 4.1 g
Sodium: 820 mg
Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
Sugar: 3.2 g
Cholesterol: 78 mg