Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo (15 Minute Meal)
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
553 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo (15 Minute Meal)
Description
Creamy Salmon Risoni starts by sautéing onion and garlic in butter, then thickening with flour before slowly adding milk and chicken broth to form a creamy sauce. Risoni, a tiny rice-shaped pasta, cooks in this mixture with frozen peas, absorbing the liquid while softening swiftly in about five minutes. Once cooked, Parmesan cheese is blended through to add savory richness. Hot-smoked salmon flaked into large chunks is folded in gently to maintain texture and provide a smoky, savory protein component.
The dish has a creamy, slightly saucy texture balanced by the subtle sweetness of peas and the distinctive smokiness of the salmon. It's designed as a fast, comforting meal that incorporates pasta and protein efficiently. Fresh parsley sprinkles provide a fresh herbal note at serving.
Additional vegetables can be added early in the cooking process, and spinach can be stirred in at the end to wilt for extra nutrients. Alternative proteins such as chicken or shrimp can be used by cooking them after the onions before adding liquids and pasta. Canned salmon is also a suitable substitute if drained and flaked.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz / 40g / 3 tbsp butter unsalted
- 1/2 onion , diced (brown, white, yellow)
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 2 cups milk (light or full fat)
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 1/2 cups risoni Note 1, or orzo; dried
- 2 cups peas frozen
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 6 oz / 185 g salmon flaked into large chunks using 2 forks, hot-smoked
- parsley , chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Melt butter in a deep skillet or pot over medium high heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes until translucent.
- Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Switch to a whisk and add half the milk. Whisk to dissolve the pasty onion mixture into the milk (about 20 seconds). Then add remaining milk, chicken broth, risoni and peas.
- Bring to simmer then turn heat down to medium so it bubbles gently. Cook for 5 minutes - stir occasionally for the first half then more frequently during the second half.
- At 5 minutes, take it off the stove - it will still be quite saucy (see video) but will reduce in the next steps and while serving.
- Stir through parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Then gently stir through salmon.
- Serve immediately, sprinkled with parsley leaves if desired.
Notes
- Risoni (also called orzo) is a small pasta shaped like rice, found in most supermarkets.
- Add spinach at the end of cooking; residual heat wilts it quickly and adds nutrition.
- Other proteins like chicken, shrimp, or pork can be substituted by cooking them after the onion step before adding liquids and pasta.
- Canned salmon can be used if drained and flaked.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 553 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 483g | |
| Calories | 553cal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 69.3g | 23% |
| Protein | 29.7g | 59% |
| Fat | 18.1g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 1059mg | 44% |
| Potassium | 189mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 13.8g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 2050IU | 41% |
| Vitamin C | 13.2mg | 15% |
| Calcium | 240mg | 24% |
| Iron | 3.4mg | 19% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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