If your date nights are feeling a bit lackluster, why not elevate them with a super simple one-pan dinner? Savory salmon filets get nestled on top of a bed of creamy orzo and spinach. With perfectly pan-seared salmon ready in minutes and the orzo cooked right in the same skillet, cleanup is a breeze. Whether you’re cozied up to Netflix-and-chill or adding a dash of romance to a Friday night, this fish dish is sure to become a menu mainstay.
Date Night Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Orzo
Servings 0
Ingredients
- Neutral cooking oil
- 2 salmon filets, skin-on, about 6-8 oz. each
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Freshly cracked salt and pepper
- 2 Tsbp butter
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half, plus more as needed
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1-2 Tbsp marscapone ch
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- Fresh herbs like parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add a few tablespoons of cooking oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- While the skillet is heating, pat dry the salmon filets. Season the skin side with salt, and season the flesh side with freshly cracked salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- When the oil is heated, add both salmon filets skin-side down. Gently press on each salmon filet for a few seconds with a spatula.
- Sear each side about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the filets reach 145 degrees F. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce skillet to medium and add butter. When melted, add the shallot and sauté a few minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté a minute longer until fragrant.
- Add the orzo to the skillet and sauté about 3 – 5 minutes, or until the pasta develops a light golden color.
- Pour in stock and half and half. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until most of the cooking liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. The pasta should be al dente. (Add additional water if needed.)
- When the pasta has cooked, reduce heat to low.
- Add Parmesan, marscapone and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine. Add a few more splashes of half and half, if needed, to reach desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with more freshly cracked salt and pepper.
- Stir in spinach and cook just until wilted, about a minute or so.
- Carefully nestle salmon filets back into the skillet and heat until warmed through. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and more grated parmesan.
