Orzo with Salmon and Spinach
Orzo with salmon and spinach is a creamy one-bowl main course where pearl pasta cooks in a rich stock and double cream sauce while fresh salmon fillets steam gently above in the Varoma. The Thermomix chops the aromatics, sautés them to sweetness and stirs everything to a silky finish, delivering tender fish and vivid green spinach with minimal washing up.
About this recipe
Orzo with salmon and spinach Thermomix TM7 is the quick weeknight dinner that tastes like it came from a coastal trattoria. This recipe lets the all-in-one kitchen machine do the heavy lifting: garlic and onions are chopped in seconds, sautéed until fragrant, and the orzo simmers directly in the mixing bowl with homemade vegetable stock paste and double cream, turning into a silky, risotto-style pasta without constant stirring. Meanwhile, the skinless salmon fillets steam gently in the Varoma above, staying moist and flaky while their delicate flavour is preserved. Fresh baby spinach wilts into the creamy sauce at the end, and a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice lifts the whole bowl. If you have been searching for salmon orzo recipes for the Thermomix, this one-pot main course is ideal for busy families, meal prep and anyone who wants a restaurant-quality fish dinner with hardly any washing up.
Preparation tips
- Cut the salmon fillets into similar-sized portions or thick slices so they cook evenly in the Varoma, and always leave a few steam holes unobstructed for proper circulation while the orzo bubbles below.
- Reserve a ladle of the creamy orzo cooking liquid before adding the spinach; if the pasta tightens as it rests, a splash loosens it back to that silky, risotto-like consistency at the table.
- For a lighter version, replace half the double cream with crème fraîche stirred in at the very end, and scatter dill or chives over the finished bowl to complement the lemon and salmon.
Recipe variations
- Lactose-free variation: swap the double cream for oat-based cooking cream or full-fat coconut milk; the lemon juice and vegetable stock paste keep the sauce bright and savoury while the salmon stays the star.
- Seasonal variation: in spring, fold in steamed asparagus tips and fresh peas with the spinach; in winter, replace the spinach with chopped cavolo nero and finish with crispy fried shallots for crunch.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Steaming in the Varoma keeps the salmon fillets moist and flaky while the orzo cooks below, giving perfectly gentle fish in minutes. [Time Savings]
- The Thermomix chops the garlic clove and onions finely in seconds, saving tearful knife work before sautéing. [Multi-Function]
- Precise temperature control sautés the onions in olive oil without burning, building a sweet aromatic base for the sauce. [Precision Control]
- Hands-free stirring cooks the orzo evenly in the stock and cream, so the pasta never sticks or catches on the bottom. [Hands-Free]
- The Thermomix weighs the orzo and stock paste directly in the mixing bowl, ensuring exact ratios for a silky, creamy result. [Precision Control]
Ingredients
- garlic clove
- onions
- olive oil
- fresh salmon fillets, skinless
- paprika
- fresh dill
- water
- vegetable stock paste, homemade
- fine sea salt
- orzo