Salmon Penne Rustica with a Kick
tossed with Asparagus & topped with Crispy Panko
- Wheat
- Milk
- Tree Nuts
- Fish
The week just isn’t complete without at least one pasta night. If you agree, you’re in luck! Our chefs put together a dish that’s sure to curb the most ferocious of carb cravings. In this recipe you’ll find penne studded with tender asparagus, fresh tomatoes, and swirls of garlic herb butter. The dreamy dish is finished off with a sprinkle of Parmesan and your new secret culinary weapon: an almond, chili, and lemon panko topping. It’s so delicious and easy to whip up, don’t be surprised when you find yourself making this meal on repeat.
Ingredients
¼ cup
Parmesan Cheese
6 ounce
Asparagus
1 unit
Lemon
6 ounce
Penne Pasta
(Contains: Wheat)
¼ ounce
Chives
2 tablespoon
Garlic Herb Butter
(Contains: Milk)
1 unit
Tomato
¼ cup
Panko Breadcrumbs
(Contains: Wheat)
1 teaspoon
Chili Flakes
½ ounce
Sliced Almonds
(Contains: Tree Nuts)
10 ounce
Salmon
(Contains: Fish)
Not included in your delivery
3 teaspoon (tsp)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoon (tbsp)
Butter
(Contains: Milk)
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. • Once boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. • Reserve 1⁄2 cup pasta cooking water (1 cup for 4 servings), then drain.
• Meanwhile, wash and dry produce. • Zest and quarter lemon. Trim and discard woody bottom ends from asparagus; cut stalks crosswise into 1-inch-long pieces. Dice tomato. Mince chives. • Melt 1 TBSP plain butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add panko and almonds; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. • Turn off heat. Stir in a pinch of lemon zest and a pinch of chili flakes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Heat a drizzle of olive oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and cook, stirring often, until bright green and tender, 2-4 minutes. • Add tomato and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Pat salmon or chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a second large, preferably nonstick, pan over medium- high heat. Add chicken or salmon (skin sides down). Cook chicken until cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side or cook salmon until skin is crisp, 5-7 minutes, then flip and cook until cooked through, 1-2 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board.
• Add drained penne, garlic herb butter, half the Parmesan (save the rest for serving), and 1⁄3 cup reserved pasta cooking water (1⁄2 cup for 4 servings) to pan with veggies; stir until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add half the chives, remaining lemon zest, 1 TBSP plain butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings), and as many remaining chili flakes as you like to pan with pasta. Cook, stirring, until everything is thoroughly coated in sauce, 1-2 minutes. TIP: If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time. • Turn off heat; stir in a squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide pasta between bowls. Sprinkle with panko mixture and remaining Parmesan. Add a drizzle of olive oil over bowls. Garnish with remaining chives and serve with any remaining lemon wedges on the side.
Slice chicken crosswise (no need to slice salmon!); serve chicken or salmon atop pasta.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Dec 2025- Flavor: Many enjoyed the dish, especially the crispy panko topping. Some found it a bit bland; consider extra herbs or spices on the salmon 🌿.
- Ease of prep: Adding shredded parmesan with pasta water led to clumping; try grated cheese instead for smoother incorporation.
- Suggestions: For a more satisfying dish, create a thicker sauce to combat dryness. Experiment with additional seasonings to boost flavor.
- Leftovers: The pasta worked great as leftovers for lunch, making it a convenient meal prep option.
Reviews from our home cooks
This was great. I loved the crispy panko, the only problem I had with this was that the pasta was too dry. There wasn't enough sauce. I'd like a thicker sauce.
Adding some shredded parmesan at the same time as the pasta water didn't work - cheese just got gloppy - grated might have worked better.
I love asparagus and pasta and this was amazing ❤️
Pasta was fine, salmon was fresh. There wasn't anything wrong with the dish, I just favor other styles of sauce.
Maybe some extra spice/herbs on the salmon instead of just salt and pepper. It was a little bland
Loved it. Worked great as leftovers for lunch, too-always a plus.
