- 12 oz pasta
- 1 lb salmon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley
Preparation
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
Reserve approximately ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook the salmon until cooked through and lightly browned.
Remove it from the skillet and allow it to rest briefly.
Add minced garlic to the skillet.
Cook for about 30 seconds.
Pour in the milk and add Parmesan.
Reduce the heat and stir gently.
Add the spinach and allow it to wilt.
Add the cooked pasta and toss.
If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water.
Flake the salmon into large pieces and gently fold it through the pasta.
Finish with lemon juice and fresh parsley.
Optional Addition
Add mushrooms, peas, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables.
5. Crispy High Protein Salmon Patties
Salmon patties are an excellent way to use canned salmon for a quick and economical dinner.
They are crispy on the outside and tender inside, and they pair beautifully with a fresh salad.
Ingredients
- 2 cans salmon, drained
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation
Drain the canned salmon thoroughly.
Place it in a large bowl and gently flake it with a fork.
Add the eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, green onions, parsley, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Shape the mixture into eight small patties.
Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Cook the patties for several minutes on each side until golden brown and heated through.
Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels if desired.
Serving Ideas
Serve the salmon patties with:
- Green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Potato wedges
- Cucumber salad
- Yogurt herb sauce
- Lemon wedges
Helpful Tip
If the mixture feels too soft to shape, add a little more breadcrumbs. If it feels too dry, add a small spoonful of Greek yogurt.
6. High Protein Honey Garlic Salmon
Sweet and savory flavors work particularly well with salmon.
This honey garlic version creates a glossy coating with plenty of garlic flavor and a fresh finish from lemon.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Black pepper
- Green onions for garnish
- Sesame seeds
Preparation
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, paprika, and black pepper.
Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish.
Pour the sauce over the salmon and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes while the oven preheats.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Bake the salmon until cooked through.
During the final few minutes, spoon some of the sauce from the baking dish over the fillets.
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
What Goes Well With Honey Garlic Salmon?
Serve it with:
- Steamed broccoli
- Jasmine rice
- Green beans
- Cucumber salad
- Roasted carrots
- Edamame
The combination of sweet glaze, savory salmon, and fresh vegetables makes this particularly good for a colorful dinner bowl.
7. Creamy Spinach High Protein Salmon
For a more comforting dinner, this creamy spinach salmon combines tender fillets with a flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Lemon wedges