Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

How to make simple pasta with salmon that even picky eaters will love

Dawn Miller
By

A dinnertime menu can be a tough sell for kids, especially picky ones. Since every dinner can’t be chicken nuggets or mac and cheese, parents are always on the lookout for tasty recipes kids will actually eat without drama. Salmon may not yet rank on your kid’s top ten list of meals. In reality, this fish is a yummy and healthy dinnertime option that is kid-friendly. Salmon is high in omega-3, which is essential in brain, nervous system, and eye development in children. The fish is also rich in B vitamins, which play an important role in memory and concentration. Selenium is also high in salmon and is great for bone health. Salmon is a perfect pick for adults at the table too because of the omega-3, which lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. So, here’s how to make salmon a dinnertime favorite and a go-to weeknight meal.

kid-friendly dish of salmon with a side of pasta
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is a good side to serve with salmon?

Pairing salmon with a kid staple like pasta is a definite do. While kids may not love the look of salmon on their plate, pasta is always a hit. Putting the two together in the same dish is a win-win. Pasta with salmon is a healthy and hearty dinner that’s easy to make especially on those busy nights where homework and after-school activities are in the mix. Lemon pasta or a plain pasta with butter are both great picks for pasta and salmon night.

pasta boiling in a large pot
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do you cook pasta?

Cooking pasta to perfection can be harder than it seems. If you want pasta the kids will scoop up with that new salmon recipe, follow these simple steps.

  • Fill a large pot with plenty of water.
  • Add a tablespoon of salt. Salt helps to enhance the natural flavor of the pasta.
  • Make sure the water comes to a full rolling boil before adding the pasta.
  • Don’t add oil to the water. Oil doesn’t keep pasta from sticking and it may prevent the sauce from adhering to the pasta.
  • Stir frequently. It’s stirring that keeps pasta from clumping together.
  • Follow cooking times, but the taste test is always best.
  • Drain in sink. Don’t run under cold water.
  • Return to pot, adding sauce.
Recommended Videos

Can I freeze salmon?

If you’re new to adding salmon to the dinner rotation, you may be unsure of whether to freeze salmon as you do with meat or plan on making it the day it’s purchased. Actually, you can do either. Fresh salmon can be cooked within one to two days after buying; just make sure to refrigerate it. Otherwise, go ahead and freeze fresh salmon by putting it in a freezer bag and sealing tightly. Write the freeze date on the bag before placing it in the freezer. Salmon will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

Related

Can you cook smoked salmon?

There isn’t any need to cook smoked salmon. Smoked salmon has already been cooked and doesn’t need to be heated or baked. So, go ahead and serve it as is. Unlike regular salmon, smoked salmon shouldn’t be frozen. The perk of using smoked salmon with a pasta dish is that you don’t have to cook it. It’s good to eat as is.

tasty kid-friendly pasta with salmon dish
Alessio Orru/Shutterstock

Kid-friendly pasta with salmon dishes

If you’re looking to try pasta with salmon recipes the whole family will enjoy, try these tasty dishes.

  • Creamy salmon pasta: This yummy recipe from My Fussy Eater pairs pasta, salmon, and frozen or fresh peas together in one dish. Not only is this meal delicious, but it’s also quick to make too.
  • Salmon pasta bows: Try Mas and Pas easy and appetizing recipe with spinach, peas, salmon, and pasta. Kids won’t even realize they’re eating the veggies and the salmon thanks to the mouthwatering sauce.
  • Salmon and spaghetti: Good Food has a fun recipe that adds kid-friendly spaghetti with salmon.
  • Light lemon garlic pasta with salmon: For a simple dish full of flavors kids and adults will love, try this pasta with salmon recipe from the Cooking Jar.

Pasta with salmon

If your kids are super picky and you want to bring salmon to the table, try making salmon the side. Make your kid’s favorite pasta dish whether it’s pasta in a butter or red sauce. Then, grill salmon with basic seasoning. You can also do a simple salmon recipe in the air fryer. This air fryer salmon recipe from Feel Good Foodie takes only 10 minutes and is super tasty. Garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika make up the no-fuss seasoning kids won’t turn down. You can even do air fryer or grilled salmon as a side to mac and cheese. Better yet, add the salmon to the mac and cheese. Everyday Dishes has a salmon mac and cheese recipe picky eaters will want to dive into.

Salmon has been tapped as a superfood because of its health perks, making it a perfect pick for dinnertime. This fish is easy to make and perfectly complements pasta which is a kid staple. Pasta with salmon is an ideal way to bring this healthy superfood to the table. Salmon is great for kids and adults too because it’s high in omega-3 and other important nutrients. Try one of these delectable salmon and pasta recipes or pair salmon with your kiddo’s top pasta dish. Either way, pasta with salmon is sure to become a dinnertime hit with the whole family.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller
Contributor
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
6 easy muffin recipes for kids to make with or without your help
Healthy muffin recipes that are so easy to make, your kid can be the chef
Two kids having fun baking in the kitchen.

While kids would prefer to eat dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets partnered with mac and cheese for every meal, sometimes parents want to see their children eat something a bit healthier. That’s where we'll help. If you thought all muffins have to be either loaded with sugar or taste like dry cardboard, you're going to love us.

We found six healthy muffin recipes for you to make with your younger kids, but they are also simple enough that your older kids could make them for you. Eating healthier doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice when it comes to flavor. Make one (or all) of these delicious easy muffin recipes that your kids will enjoy as much as you will.

Read more
Get the family on a healthy eating kick in 2023 with these simple weeknight meals
Recipes for easy and healthy meals the whole family will love in 2023
A family eating a big holiday meal together

After the busiest time of the year, getting back to healthy eating can be a challenge for many families. It's often easier to opt for quick, fast, and not necessarily healthy meals, especially when you're a busy family. Let's face it, the hustle and bustle of the holidays often mean grabbing dinner on the go and feeding kids in the car between activities, which compromises nutrition for convenience. Not to mention the countless holiday meals and treats that dominate the month of December.

Now that the new year is here, it's a great time to commit to eating healthier, but we all know that the secret to success is finding healthy family recipes that are also easy weeknight meals. Busy families don't have the time to go grocery shopping for ingredients every day, nor do they have time to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals. If you're looking to start eating healthier as a family in 2023, check out these easy weeknight meals that the whole family will enjoy and won't take a chef's touch to create.

Read more
10 super simple Christmas crockpot meals that are ideal for busy families
Grandma won't be able to tell these Christmas crockpot meals weren't made on the stove or in the oven
Tasty meatballs made in a crockpot

The holiday season seems to fly by in a rush with shopping, decorating, activities and crafts, and of course, entertaining. With entertaining comes more shopping, preparation, and lots of hours spent in the kitchen. Time is difficult to find during the holidays, which is what makes crockpot meals such a deliciously simple option.

OK, so Grandma might not approve of making some of those traditional holiday dishes in a crockpot, but Christmas crockpot meals are just as scrumptious as ones prepared on the stove or in the oven. Really! If you haven't discovered crockpot cooking yet, the busy holiday rush is the perfect time to give it a try. Crockpot cooking will actually help with that holiday time crunch.

Read more