Salmon broccoli pasta- 30 minute meal!

A simple, satisfying salmon and broccoli pasta that’s ready in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something quick but still nourishing and full of flavour. This recipe is designed to be both comforting and wholesome, combining tender flakes of salmon with vibrant green broccoli and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, balanced sauce. It makes two generous servings or three lighter meals, and it’s very easy to double up if you’re cooking for more people or want leftovers for the next day.

This dish is especially perfect for a healthy dinner that fits seamlessly into New Year’s resolutions. It strikes that ideal balance between feeling indulgent and being nutritionally well-rounded, helping you stay on track without sacrificing enjoyment. Packed with protein from the salmon, fibre and vitamins from the broccoli, and satisfying carbohydrates from the pasta, it’s the kind of meal that keeps you full, energised, and genuinely satisfied. It’s a great example of a “new year, new you” recipe — simple, achievable, and realistic for everyday life, rather than restrictive or overly complicated.

This dish is incredibly quick and convenient, taking less than 30 minutes to prepare and between 10 and 30 minutes to cook, depending on your timing and preferred level of doneness. That means, from start to finish, you can have a delicious, home-cooked meal ready on the table in around 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or days when you want something nourishing without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of simple, wholesome ingredients and speedy cooking steps ensures you can enjoy a fresh, flavorful meal without the stress or fuss, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your dinner. It’s the kind of recipe that proves healthy, satisfying meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming — you get all the taste, warmth, and comfort of a home-cooked dinner in a fraction of the usual time.

Based on two servings, each portion provides 869 kcal, 37g protein, 58g carbohydrates (of which 5g are sugars), 52g fat (of which 21g are saturates), 7g fibre, and 1.2g salt. These nutritional values make it a hearty, well-balanced option that supports muscle maintenance, sustained energy, and overall wellbeing. Whether you’re easing yourself into healthier habits or looking for quick meals that feel comforting yet nourishing, this salmon and broccoli pasta is a reliable, delicious choice to start the year feeling your best.

Salmon Broccoli pasta- ingredient list

150g/5½oz of any type of dry spaghetti
Broccoli, 150g/5½oz, chopped into tiny florets
One tablespoon of olive oil
Four spring onions, chopped and sliced, or half a small onion, thinly sliced
Cut two 120g/4½oz skinless salmon fillets into roughly 3cm/1¼in pieces.
A big handful of dried chilli flakes, if desired
100ml/3½fl oz double cream
1/2 small lemon, finely grated zest only, salt, and freshly ground black pepper

Salmon broccoli pasta- step by step instruction guide

Step 1
Half fill a large pan with well-salted water and bring it to a rolling boil over a high heat. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook for 7–12 minutes, or according to the packet instructions, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking together. Cook until the pasta is just tender but still has a slight bite. Around three minutes before the end of the pasta’s cooking time, add the broccoli florets directly to the same pan. This allows the broccoli to cook alongside the pasta, becoming tender while still retaining its vibrant green colour and a little texture. Before draining, carefully reserve some of the starchy cooking water, which can be used later to loosen the sauce and help everything come together smoothly.

Step 2
Meanwhile, pour the oil into a medium non-stick frying pan and place it over a medium heat, allowing it to warm up gently. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the sliced spring onions, or if you prefer, a regular sliced onion. Cook them slowly for 1–3 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure each slice softens evenly and releases its natural sweetness. The gentle heat allows the onions to become tender and fragrant without browning too quickly, creating a delicate, aromatic base that will complement the pasta and broccoli perfectly. Keep an eye on them as they cook, giving them a good stir every so often, until they are soft, glossy, and lightly translucent, signaling that they are ready to be combined with the rest of the ingredients. This step adds a subtle depth of flavour to the dish, ensuring every bite has a rich, comforting onion undertone.

Step 3
Add the salmon pieces to the pan along with the chilli, if you’re using it, and cook for about a minute, carefully turning the salmon 3–4 times so that each piece sears lightly on all sides without overcooking. The brief cooking allows the salmon to remain tender and flaky while absorbing the flavours of the onions and chilli. Once the salmon is lightly cooked, pour in the cream and add a ladleful of the reserved pasta cooking water, around 100ml (3½ fl oz), to help create a smooth, silky sauce that will coat the pasta beautifully. Stir gently to combine, allowing the cream and starchy water to meld into a luscious, slightly glossy sauce. Season generously with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, tasting as you go, to ensure the flavours are well balanced and the dish is perfectly seasoned.

Step 4
Bring the pan to a gentle simmer and allow the salmon to cook for 3–4 minutes, turning the pieces occasionally so they cook evenly and remain tender and flaky. Keep an eye on the sauce — if it begins to thicken too much, add an extra splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it and maintain a creamy consistency. While the salmon finishes cooking, drain the pasta and broccoli carefully and return them to the large pan. Pour the creamy salmon sauce over the pasta and broccoli, then add a little freshly grated lemon zest to brighten the flavours and add a subtle, refreshing lift. Toss everything together lightly but thoroughly, ensuring that the pasta and broccoli are coated in the silky sauce and that the salmon is evenly distributed. Serve immediately, while warm and aromatic, for a comforting, wholesome, and beautifully balanced meal that’s ready in around 30 minutes from start to finish.