High protein Greek yogurt and quick cook orzo, this One Pot Salmon Alfredo Orzo makes the perfect filling and quick dinner. The alfredo sauce is filled with peppery garlic flavor and tons of cheesy goodness. There’s no need to pre-cook the orzo - it all cooks in the same pan, let me show you how to make this alfredo orzo recipe.
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Salmon is a go-to protein for a quick dinner. I mean, it often takes more time to thaw frozen salmon than it does to cook it. And while I love my salmon bowls and salmon patties, sometimes I want something more cozy.
That’s where this one-pot salmon Alfredo orzo comes in! When creating this recipe I wanted something that was really packed with flavor but with simple ingredients that you could get at any store. What I came up with is exactly that and I’m so excited to share this high-protein alfredo pasta recipe with you!
Jump to:
why this salmon alfredo will make you do the happy food dance
- High protein sauce: This creamy alfredo sauce is made with Greek yogurt and includes an egg for extra creaminess so it packs in 41 grams of protein in addition to the salmon.
- Orzo instead of pasta: Orzo is a type of pasta that resembles rice but it cooks much faster!
- The salmon doesn’t stick! This is seriously a game changer thanks to a simple technique that doesn’t require any olive oil!
recipe ingredients
notes
- Salmon: I prefer to use wild-caught salmon fillet for sustainability reasons but farm-raised is fattier and a little creamier.
- Broth: Chicken bone broth also helps to up the protein (9g per serving!) since the orzo absorbs it all.
- Yogurt: Be sure to use unsweetened, low fat Greek yogurt for the maximum protein content. The more fat in the yogurt, the less protein. And regular yogurt will not work.
- Spices: I prefer to use garlic powder here for the ultimate creamy texture.
substitutions & variations
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See recipe card for quantities.
- Bone broth —> Regular broth: You can use chicken broth, chicken stock, or vegetable broth or stock in place of bone broth.
- Orzo —> Banza rice: Their rice is so similar to orzo but it’s gluten free and high in protein since it’s made out of chickpeas. It does absorb more though so you may need to add more chicken broth as it cooks. It can be used in most orzo recipes like this red pesto pasta salad.
- Make it dairy-free: To make this dairy-free, use vegan heavy cream, a plant-based Greek-style yogurt, and vegan parmesan. Please note, the plant-based items don’t mix as well, are more watery, and don’t melt as well. So while it will be tasty, it won’t look the same or have the same cheesy feel.
- Add some veggies: Try mixing in roasted mushrooms, baby spinach, or topping with crispy kale for some fresh flavor.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
how to make salmon and orzo in one pot (with photo & video!)
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full one pot orzo salmon recipe!
- Pan fry the salmon
- Remove the salmon and cook the orzo to al dente
- Remove from the heat and add in the egg, cheese, and cream
- Add back the salmon and enjoy!
quick recipe video
expert tips
- Cook the salmon starting from a cold pan. This is seriously the best trick I have ever learned from TV! You have to sprinkle the bottom of the pan with salt and pepper to keep the salmon from sticking, place the salmon, and turn the heat on. This slow build of heat helps render the natural fat of the salmon without needing to add oil.
- Remove the orzo from the heat and then add the cream. Cream and yogurt tend to curdle under too high of heat so remove it from heat, then mix in the egg and parmesan, then the heavy cream, and then the yogurt. This order ensures nothing will cuddle in the process of making the alfredo sauce.
common questions
I love to pair this one pot salmon with a fresh Brussels sprout salad or roasted vegetables like green beans.
Yes, some spices that would work well are cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or lemon pepper.
No, the amount of broth listed is specifically for orzo. Another pasta type will absorb liquids differently.
Yes, it just makes it that much easier. It will work with not a non-stick but you do run the risk of not coating the bottom in enough seasonings.
troubleshooting & testing notes
I tried this with store-bought Alfredo and here’s what happened.
While easy, the storebought Alfredo was lacking in flavor and protein. Making your own sauce also allows you to control the salt and pepper.
I tried this with Banza rice and here’s what you need to know.
This worked great with Banza rice, except it absorbs a lot more liquid and cooks much quicker. So, be by the stove and ready to add more broth the first time until you get used to working with it.
how to store & meal prep it
storage
To store this, keep the salmon and orzo in airtight container for up to 3 days. If you can store the orzo and salmon separately, the orzo will last 5 days and the salmon 3 days.
meal prep
This dish is best eaten right away so I don’t find it to be meal prep-friendly. However, if you want to make it on a larger scale, you cook the salmon in the oven and the orzo separately. Then combine at the end.
reheating
To reheat this, add the orzo to the stove and reheat with a little cream. Slowly stir it until it is warmed throughout. The salmon can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove top. It does become tough when reheated though (especially wild-caught).
Recipe
one pot creamy salmon alfredo orzo with greek yogurt
Equipment
- 1 extra large non-stick skillet
Ingredients
- 2 salmon filets
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper (add more as needed)
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1.5 cups orzo
- 2.5 cups chicken bone broth
- ⅔ cup parmesan
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup greek yogurt
- salt and pepper to taste (taste and adjust as needed at the end)
- Optional: red pepper flakes or cajun can be added for more spice
Before you start!
If you make this recipe, please take a moment to leave us a review. We love to hear from you!
Instructions
- Please note, the flavor of alfredo is garlic and pepper. Should you want different flavors, consider adding red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning in addition to the called for spices.
Make the salmon
- Sprinkle the bottom of a large nonstick skillet with half of the ½ teaspoon Salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place the 2 salmon filets (skin side down if they have skin) on the pan. Place the cold skillet on the stove and bring to medium heat. This process renders the natural fat from the salmon.
- Use the remaining salt and pepper to season the top of the salmon. Once the salmon has cooked half way flip it and continue to cook. The sides of the salmon will become light pink as it cooks through. It should take 2-minutes per side once the pan comes to heat.Once the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees, remove the salmon. Cover the salmon with foil and set aside.
Make the orzo
- Keeping the skillet on medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoon Butter. Then saute the 2 cloves garlic until fragrant. Finally, add the 1.5 cups orzo and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour the 2.5 cups chicken bone broth into the skillet and stir. Bring the mixture to a low boil and then keep it at a simmer. Continue to cook, stiring occasionally until the orzo has absorbed all the liquid.
- While the orzo cooks, combine the ⅔ cup parmesan and 1 egg in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Once the orzo is done, remove the pan from heat and add the parmesan and egg mixture. Stir this in until nice and creamy. It's super important to remove from heat so the egg won't scramble. Then stir in the ¼ cup heavy cream. And finally, stir in the ¾ cup greek yogurt.
Combine
- Taste and adjust with salt and pepper to taste as needed. Return the salmon to the pan and enjoy together!
Video
Notes
Expert Tips
- Cook the salmon starting from a cold pan. This is seriously the best trick I have ever learned from TV! You have to sprinkle the bottom of the pan with salt and pepper to keep the salmon from sticking, place the salmon, and turn the heat on. This slow build of heat helps render the natural fat of the salmon without needing to add oil.
- Remove the orzo from the heat and then add the cream. Cream and yogurt tend to curdle under too high of heat so remove it from heat, then mix in the egg and parmesan, then the heavy cream, and then the yogurt. This order ensures nothing will cuddle in the process of making the alfredo sauce.
Common Questions:
Can I make this salmon with other spices? Yes, some spices that would work well are cajun seasoning or lemon pepper. You can also try adding red pepper flakes for a little spice. Can I make this with another pasta? No, the amount of broth listed is specifically for orzo. Another pasta type will absorb liquids differently. Do I need to use a non-stick pan with this cooking method? Yes, it just makes it that much easier. It will work with not a non-stick but you do run the risk of not coating the bottom in enough seasonings.Storage & meal prep tips
Storage
To store this, keep the salmon and orzo in airtight container for up to 3 days. If you can store the orzo and salmon separately, the orzo will last 5 days and the salmon 3 days.Meal Prep
This dish is best eaten right away so I don’t find it to be meal prep-friendly. However, if you want to make it on a larger scale, you cook the salmon in the oven and the orzo separately. Then combine at the end.Reheating
To reheat this, add the orzo to the stove and reheat with a little cream. Slowly stir it until it is warmed throughout. The salmon can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove top. It does become tough when reheated though (especially wild-caught).Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
Made this tonight! It was good but for us I think I would add lemon seasoning or Cajun. I did add red pepper flakes because we like a little spice but I would add the other also if you like a little more flavor. Thank you.
Thanks for trying it, glad you enjoyed it. Cajun sounds delicious!
Glad to have found a healthier Alfredo sauce! Loved making this after seeing it on TCL. Will make again.
This was quick and easy and SO good! Will definitely be making it again!
Glad you enjoyed it!