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Pesto Salmon With Orzo in Ninja Speedi

Pesto Salmon With Orzo in Ninja Speedi
This one-pan pesto salmon with orzo combines Mediterranean flavours and perfectly cooked fish in the innovative Ninja Speedi, requiring minimal cleanup and prep. The restaurant-quality meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive yet effortless. For the best results, let your salmon come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and optimal texture.
Pesto Salmon With Orzo in Ninja Speedi - Ingredients laid out ready for cooking
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine: ,
Courses:
Difficulty: Beginner
Cooking Temp: 180  C
Servings: 4
Best Season: Suitable throughout the year
Description

Fresh salmon fillets and al dente orzo come together in this delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish. The orzo cooks to perfection in the bottom pot while the salmon gets a beautiful finish in the top crisping tray.

The combination of basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and tender salmon creates a restaurant-quality meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare at home using the Ninja Speedi's dual-cooking functionality.

Ingredients
  • 400 g Orzo Pasta
  • 1000 ml Chicken Stock
  • 200 g Cherry Tomatoes (Halved)
  • 4 Salmon Fillets (Skin On)
  • 4 Tbsp Basil Pesto
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 Garlic Cloves (Minced)
  • 1 Lemon (Juiced)
  • 100 g Baby Spinach
  • Salt and Black Pepper (To Taste)
Instructions
    Bottom Pot:
  1. 1
    Add orzo, chicken stock, garlic, and half the olive oil to the bottom pot.
  2. 2
    Stir in halved cherry tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
    3. Crisping Tray:
  3. 3
    Pat salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
  4. 4
    Spread 1 tablespoon of pesto on each fillet.
  5. 5
    Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the crisping tray.
  6. 6
    Drizzle remaining olive oil over salmon.
    7. Cooking:
  7. 7
    Close lid and select Speedi Meals function.
  8. 8
    Set temperature to 180°C and timer for 15 minutes.
  9. 9
    When cooking is complete, stir baby spinach into the orzo until wilted.
  10. 10
    Squeeze lemon juice over the entire dish before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1431.81kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 70.06g108%
Saturated Fat 14.89g75%
Cholesterol 226.74mg76%
Sodium 2031.23mg85%
Potassium 2254.82mg65%
Total Carbohydrate 91.96g31%
Dietary Fiber 5.91g24%
Sugars 8.65g
Protein 102.77g206%
Vitamin A 371.38 IU
Vitamin C 41.42 mg
Calcium 142.94 mg
Iron 4.87 mg
Vitamin D 43.56 IU
Vitamin E 16.05 IU
Vitamin K 135.66 mcg
Thiamin 1.05 mg
Riboflavin 0.95 mg
Niacin 40.57 mg
Vitamin B6 2.94 mg
Folate 192.43 mcg
Vitamin B12 12.79 mcg
Phosphorus 1241.9 mg
Magnesium 201.86 mg
Zinc 3.47 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Tips: For best results, verify salmon fillets are similar in thickness for even cooking.

If the orzo appears dry during cooking, add an extra 60ml of hot stock.

The pesto can be homemade or shop-bought, but fresh pesto will provide the best flavour.

Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow the orzo to absorb any remaining liquid.

Try With Oregano Instead

While basil pesto brings classic Mediterranean flavour, switching to oregano creates an equally delicious variation of this salmon dish.

You'll find that oregano's bold, slightly peppery taste adds a different dimension to the recipe while maintaining its Mediterranean roots. To make oregano pesto, simply substitute fresh oregano leaves for the basil in your regular pesto recipe, keeping the other ingredients the same.

If you're working with dried oregano instead of fresh, you'll want to use about one-third the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.

Mix the dried oregano with olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese until you've got a paste-like consistency. You might need to add a bit more olive oil to achieve the right texture.

When you spread this oregano pesto over your salmon, you'll notice it creates a more robust, earthy flavour profile that pairs wonderfully with the fish's natural richness.

The orzo will soak up these herbaceous notes beautifully, and you can even toss in some halved cherry tomatoes to complement the oregano's slightly spicy kick.

Conclusion

You'll love how this Ninja Speedi recipe brings together Italian and Mediterranean flavours in a quick, convenient way. Whether you're sticking with traditional basil pesto or mixing it up with oregano, you're creating a dish that's both nutritious and delicious. The combination of perfectly cooked salmon, tender orzo, and fresh vegetables gives you a complete meal that's sure to become a weeknight favourite in your home.

Read it online: https://easyrecipes.pro/recipe/pesto-salmon-with-orzo-in-ninja-speedi/
Nick-Jolliffe
Nick Jolliffe
Home Cook, Foodie, and Recipe Tinkerer

Nick Jolliffe is a self-proclaimed food enthusiast who loves nothing more than experimenting with new flavours and ingredients at home. With a passion for cooking that borders on obsession, Nick is always on the lookout for inspiration to create delicious, mouth-watering dishes to share with friends and family. When he's not busy scouring cookbooks or browsing food blogs, you can find him whipping up a storm in his kitchen, always eager to try out new recipes and techniques.