Salmon Spinach Goat Cheese Pasta

Boy am I glad I found the frozen salmon fillets in the grocery store! Many thanks to my friend Shannon who told me to keep an eye out for them. It was so nice to come home, throw the individually shrink wrapped fillets into a bowl of water to thaw for 30 minutes then to make dinner. While I will always love the fresh fillets I don't love having to use them immediately so the frozen fillets are great for me. This pasta dish is pretty tasty, the salmon is nicely roasted in the oven and the spinach is fresh wilted and tender such a good mix of ingredients. If you aren't a spinach fan I know this would also be great with asparagus.



Salmon Spinach Goat Cheese Pasta: Serves 4

8oz Pasta
8oz Salmon Fillet
12oz Fresh Spinach
2 Garlic Cloves - Minced
1/4C Onion - Chopped
4oz Goat Cheese
1/3C Milk
1/4C Chicken Stock
1TB Flour
1/2tsp Old Bay
1/2tsp Basil - Dried
1tsp Olive Oil

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente, drain and set to the side. While the pasta is cooking preheat your oven to 350°, rub your salmon fillets with the garlic cloves and 1/4tsp Old Bay & 1/4tsp Basil. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until cooked through. Once fully cooked remove from the oven, let it sit for 5 minutes then flake and mix with the cooked and drained pasta.

Okay, pasta & salmon cooking...now it is time for the spinach! In a large saute pan heat the olive oil and onions over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until the onions turn translucent. Add the spinach with some salt and pepper and about 1/4C of water from the pasta and cover with a lid and let the spinach wilt down. Give it a toss after a minute or two and recover and let it finish wilting. Once the spinach is done place it in a colander and push out as much liquid as you can with a spoon. Add the spinach to the pasta and salmon.

Alright, almost done. Now mix the milk, chicken stock, flour and remaining 1/4tsp Old Bay & 1/4tsp of bail together and add to the pasta, spinach and salmon. Turn the heat on medium and stir until the mixture thickens, remove from the heat, crumble in the goat cheese, stir to melt it then serve and enjoy.

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WW: 11 Points Plus / serving