• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fresh Apron logo
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Seafood

    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon

    Published: Mar 7, 2022 by Nicole · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon in a skillet.

    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon is a light and bright dish that will be ready in just 20 minutes. It's a perfect weeknight dinner that's bursting with flavor.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    You'll love this recipe because it's quick and easy to make. It's great for either an everyday dinner or a date night. It's simple to prep and delicious to eat. Best part is, it has both leafy greens and lean protein. Pair it with a caesar salad, garlic toast, and a glass of white wine.

    Ingredients

    Salmon: Two salmon filets that are similar in size, about 4 ounces each.

    Pasta: Angel hair pasta or spaghetti are perfect for this recipe. I like Delallo Capellini. You can use regular or whole wheat pasta.

    Kale: Fresh roughly chopped kale with the large stems removed. You can substitute for baby spinach if you prefer.

    Garlic: Minced garlic for added flavor.

    Lemon: Lemon pairs well with salmon. You'll use both the lemon zest and lemon juice from about half of a lemon.

    Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil, both for brushing on the salmon and for the pasta. You can substitute for another type of olive oil if you prefer.

    Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional). Though this is optional - it is highly recommend.

    Salt and Pepper: Salt and freshly cracked pepper for seasoning the salmon and for serving.

    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon on a plate with a fork and lemon wedge.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    1. Prepare the salmon. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. Place, skin side down, on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush the tops and sides with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
    2. Bake the salmon. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then broil for 1-2 more minutes to get the tops a little crispy. The salmon is done when it easily flakes and is opaque inside.
    3. Make the pasta. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. When finished, strain the pasta, reserving ¼ cup of the water.
    4. Cook the kale. While the pasta cooks, cook the kale. Heat the olive oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and kale. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kale begins to wilt. Add in the cooked pasta and toss until combined. Pour in reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed. Finish off with an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired.
    5. Serve. Divide the pasta and kale mixture between 2 plates. Top each with a salmon filet. Serve, topped with parmesan cheese, extra lemon zest, and lemon wedges for squeezing. Enjoy!

    Variations

    Swap out the kale. If you don't like kale, or if it's not in season, you can swap it out for baby spinach.

    Use a different protein. Don't like salmon? Use some cooked shrimp or chicken in this dish.

    Serve. You can serve this Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon by itself, or with a simple side salad and garlic toast.

    Make it low carb. Swap out the pasta for zucchini noodles. Here are some tips on how to make zucchini noodles.

    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon on a plate with a bite of salmon on a fork.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

    Why do you reserve pasta water?

    The reserved pasta water is to help make the sauce. The starchy water is already seasoned with salt and the starchiness help sauces stick to the pasta.

    How do you know when salmon is done?

    You can tell if salmon is cooked by gently pressing down on it with a fork. It should flake apart and be opaque in color inside.

    More Recipes

    If you like this recipe, then you'll love these other pasta recipes!

    • Cherry Tomato and Chicken Sausage Pasta
    • Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
    • Butternut Squash Pasta with Pancetta
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon in a skillet with lemon wedges.

    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon

    • Author: Nicole | Fresh Apron
    • Prep Time: 6 minutes
    • Cook Time: 14 minutes
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 2 servings 1x
    • Category: Seafood
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: Italian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon is a light and bright dish that will be ready in just 20 minutes. It's a perfect weeknight dinner that's bursting with flavor!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 (4 ounce) salmon filets
    • 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing on the salmon
    • 4 ounces angel hair pasta, or spaghetti
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus more for serving
    • 2 cups chopped kale, with large stems removed
    • parmesan cheese, for serving
    • lemon wedges, for serving
    • salt and freshly cracked pepper

    Instructions

    1. Prepare the salmon. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. Place, skin side down, on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush the tops and sides with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
    2. Bake the salmon. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then broil for 1-2 more minutes to get the tops a little crispy. The salmon is done when it easily flakes and is opaque inside. 
    3. Make the pasta. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. When finished, strain the pasta, reserving ¼ cup of the water.
    4. Cook the kale. While the pasta cooks, cook the kale. Heat the olive oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and kale. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kale begins to wilt. Add in the cooked pasta and toss until combined. Pour in reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed. Finish off with an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired.
    5. Serve. Divide the pasta and kale mixture between 2 plates. Top each with a salmon filet. Serve, topped with parmesan cheese, extra lemon zest, and lemon wedges for squeezing. Enjoy!

    Equipment

    Image of Zester

    Zester

    Buy Now →
    Image of Citrus Juicer

    Citrus Juicer

    Buy Now →
    Image of Large Skillet

    Large Skillet

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    Nutritional values (per serving) are approximates only.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1
    • Calories: 485
    • Sugar: 2.5 g
    • Sodium: 325 mg
    • Fat: 18.3 g
    • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 45.9 g
    • Fiber: 2.6 g
    • Protein: 35.4 g
    • Cholesterol: 61.5 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @freshapron on Instagram and hashtag #freshapron — I can't wait to see what you've made!

    « Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus
    Air Fryer French Bread Pizza »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Nicole | Fresh Apron

    Hi, I'm Nicole! I’m so happy to share all my recipes with you. I'm all about using fresh ingredients and creating simple recipes. Enjoy and happy cooking!

    More about me →

    Perfect for Winter

    • Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
    • Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
    • Slow Cooker Turkey and Bean Chili
    • Green Beans with Potatoes and Sausage

    Subscribe!

    Get the exclusive content you crave straight to your inbox. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter and get a FREE printable Weekly Meal Planner!




    Most Popular Recipes

    • Rainbow Orzo Salad
    • Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
    • Chorizo Tacos with Salsa Verde
    • Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey Meatballs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy

    Subscribe

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me

    Copyright © 2023 Fresh Apron