Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon with Tomato Garlic Gluten-Free Spaghetti

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 4

Why I Love This Recipe

This one’s a weeknight winner—flaky lemon-garlic salmon paired with a light, garlicky tomato gluten-free spaghetti. It’s packed with flavor, superfoods, and comes together in under 30 minutes. Healthy and cozy? Yes, please.

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Optional: chopped fresh parsley, lemon slices

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz gluten-free spaghetti

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

• Optional: grated Parmesan or dairy-free cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.

2. Prepare the salmon:

   • Place salmon fillets on the sheet.

   • In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

   • Brush over salmon and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

   • Bake for 12–15 minutes, until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

3. Cook the pasta:

   • Boil spaghetti according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

4. Make the tomato sauce:

   • While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

   • Add sliced garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes.

   • Add cherry tomatoes, salt, and red pepper flakes.

   • Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes burst and soften.

5. Combine:

   • Add drained spaghetti to the tomato pan and toss. Add pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.

   • Plate the pasta and top each serving with a baked salmon fillet. Garnish with fresh herbs and cheese if desired.

Notes

• Dietary Quick Tip: This dish is naturally gluten-free when made with certified gluten-free spaghetti. To keep it dairy-free, skip the Parmesan or use a plant-based cheese alternative — the lemon-garlic salmon and garlicky tomato sauce are flavorful enough on their own!

• For extra flavor: Marinate salmon in lemon-garlic mixture 15–30 minutes before baking.

• Want to save time? Prep salmon and chop tomatoes in advance.

• Don’t skip the pasta water—it helps create a silky sauce!