Weeknight Salmon Mac and Broccoli
This is basically a cozy mac-and-cheese dinner bowl with a piece of simple salmon on top, broccoli tucked in, and a heavy sprinkle of parmesan. It feels like something you make when you want “real dinner” but still want it to be soft, creamy, and low-effort.
- Total
- about 30 minutes
- Serves
- 2
Recipe
Weeknight Salmon Mac and Broccoli
- Prep
- 10 minutes
- Cook
- 20 minutes
- Total
- about 30 minutes
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the bowls
Creamy mac sauce
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta
Boil the macaroni in salted water until just tender. In the last 2 minutes, add the broccoli to the same pot, or steam the broccoli separately if you want it greener and firmer. Drain.
- 2
Cook the salmon
Pat the salmon dry. Season with salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat. Cook the salmon for about 3–4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until browned and cooked through.
- 3
Make the sauce
In the pasta pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- 4
Add the cheese
Turn the heat low. Stir in cheddar, parmesan, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Add the pasta back in and stir until coated. Add a splash of milk if it gets too thick.
- 5
Assemble
Spoon the creamy mac into bowls. Add broccoli alongside or mixed in. Place salmon on top. Finish with parmesan, black pepper, and a little lemon if you like.
Estimated nutrition
Per serving (1 of 2)
- Calories
- 997 kcal
- Protein
- 57.7 g
- Carbs
- 76.8 g
- Fat
- 50.1 g
Calculated from the listed amounts. Optional or unmeasured additions are excluded; brands, substitutions, and cooking losses can change the result.
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Weeknight Salmon Mac and Broccoli
Nutrition · Per serving (1 of 2)
- Protein
- 57.7 g
- Carbs
- 76.8 g
- Fat
- 50.1 g
997 Cal
Estimated · optional extras excluded
Weeknight Salmon Mac and Broccoli
Cook the pasta
Boil the macaroni in salted water until just tender. In the last 2 minutes, add the broccoli to the same pot, or steam the broccoli separately if you want it greener and firmer. Drain.
All ingredients · 16
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Recipe notes
Swaps & substitutions
- For the bowl in the photo, I’d keep the broccoli lightly steamed instead of fully mixed into the mac so you get the contrast: creamy pasta on one side, green broccoli on the other, salmon resting on top. A little extra parmesan over the broccoli makes it look finished without needing much else.
