Healthy, easy, flavor-packed
This baked salmon with spinach is the kind of recipe that feels fancy but is secretly effortless. Tender, flaky salmon bakes in the oven alongside garlicky spinach, soaking up lemony, savory flavors in under 30 minutes. It’s light yet satisfying, perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a simple dinner that still feels special. With minimal prep and wholesome ingredients, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results without the stress—exactly the kind of healthy comfort food you’ll want to make again and again. 🍋✨
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Servings: 4
📝 Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Optional: grated Parmesan or red pepper flakes
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Baking dish or sheet pan
- Parchment paper or foil
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish with parchment or foil.
- Spread spinach evenly across the bottom of the dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with half the garlic.
- Place salmon fillets on top of the spinach, skin-side down.
- Season salmon with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Top with remaining garlic, lemon juice, and lemon slices 🍋
- Drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
- Bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes, until salmon flakes easily with a fork and spinach is wilted and tender.
- Optional: Sprinkle with Parmesan or red pepper flakes before serving ✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Don’t overbake—salmon stays juiciest when just cooked through.
- If spinach releases extra liquid, spoon it over the salmon before serving.
- For extra richness, add a splash of cream or butter before baking.
- Leftovers are great cold on salads the next day.