Weeknight Salmon Mac and Broccoli
Serves 2 · Prep: 10 minutes · Cook: 20 minutes · Total: about 30 minutes
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.
Ingredients
For the bowls
- 2 salmon fillets, about 5–6 oz each
- 6 oz elbow macaroni or small pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Lemon wedge (optional)
- Grated parmesan, for serving
Creamy mac sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- 2 tablespoons parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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.
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.
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