Salmon Noodle Casserole (with Chili Crunch & Boursin!)
If the phrase “casserole” makes you consider canned soup and soggy noodles, this salmon noodle casserole is about to vary your thoughts. Image this: tender salmon baked with bursting cherry tomatoes, edamame, and an entire puck of Boursin cheese that melts into essentially the most unbelievable creamy sauce — then tossed with rice noodles, and completed with chili crunch for that spicy, crispy kick that makes every little thing higher.
That is the sort of dinner that appears and tastes like I spent method too lengthy on it, however the reality is every little thing comes collectively in a single casserole dish in about 40 minutes. I developed this recipe as a result of I needed a weeknight dinner that felt particular with out requiring a pile of dishes or an advanced method. One dish, recent elements, huge taste — that’s the entire philosophy.
This salmon noodle casserole bakes recent salmon, cherry tomatoes, edamame, and a puck of Boursin cheese in a single dish, then will get tossed with rice noodles for a creamy, spicy, weeknight-ready dinner. Chili crunch brings the warmth, cashews add the crunch, and the entire thing comes collectively in about 40 minutes. It tastes elevated however performs by easy-dinner guidelines.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon Casserole
- It’s a real one-dish dinner: All the pieces — salmon, tomatoes, edamame, and Boursin — bakes collectively in a 9×13 casserole dish. The one additional step is boiling rice noodles whereas it bakes.
- Boursin does the heavy lifting: No roux, no béchamel, no canned soup. One puck of Boursin melts into the tomato juices and creates a creamy, garlicky sauce with zero additional effort.
- Chili crunch makes it crave-worthy: That crispy, spicy, savory oil turns a easy casserole into one thing you’ll genuinely stay up for consuming.
- Excessive-protein and naturally gluten-free pleasant: With salmon, edamame, and cashews, each serving is filled with protein. Rice noodles preserve it GF-friendly (simply double-check your chili crunch label).
Featured Substances
- Salmon: Use recent, skin-on fillets (take away the pores and skin earlier than including to the dish). The salmon bakes proper within the casserole alongside the greens — no must cook dinner it individually.
- Sizzling honey and roasted garlic Boursin: That is the no-cook sauce secret. The Boursin melts into the cherry tomato juices throughout baking, making a creamy, herbaceous sauce with out a single additional step. In the event you can’t discover the new honey taste, basic garlic & herb works superbly.
- Chili crunch: The crispy, garlicky, spicy oil that turns every little thing it touches right into a taste bomb. Two tablespoons unfold throughout the casserole dish offers balanced warmth with out overwhelming. In the event you love chili crunch as a lot as I do, strive my Chili Crunch Edamame Cucumber Salad as a facet.
- Rice noodles: Stir-fry rice noodles (the flat, vast sort) are the right match — they absorb the creamy sauce and preserve the dish naturally gluten-free pleasant. Prepare dinner them whereas the casserole bakes for good timing.
- Edamame: Provides plant protein and a recent, barely candy pop towards the spicy Boursin salmon sauce.
- Cherry tomatoes: They burst within the oven and meld with the Boursin to create that beautiful creamy-tomato sauce — no canned something required.
- Cashews, cilantro, and lime: The ending trio — crunch, freshness, and brightness to stability the wealthy, spicy base.
Suggestions for the Greatest Salmon Noodle Casserole
- Don’t skip the nicely for the Boursin: Nestling the cheese puck close to the tomatoes ensures it melts into their juices and creates that creamy sauce. In the event you simply set it on prime of the salmon, it gained’t incorporate as nicely.
- Cowl the dish whereas baking: This traps steam and gently cooks the salmon by way of with out drying it out. Use foil in case your dish doesn’t have a lid.
- Rinse the rice noodles with chilly water: This stops the cooking and prevents them from clumping right into a sticky mass. They’ll loosen proper up when tossed with the new sauce.
- Smash each tomato: Use the again of a fork to pop every cherry tomato after baking — their juices are what mix with the melted Boursin to make the sauce. Miss a couple of and also you’ll have a much less saucy casserole.
- Examine your salmon temp: The salmon is finished when it reaches an inner temperature of 145ºF and flakes simply with a fork. In the event you’re utilizing thicker fillets, chances are you’ll want an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Swap the protein: Rooster thighs (reduce into 1-inch items) or shrimp work nice. Regulate bake time — shrimp wants solely 12-Quarter-hour.
- Make it spicier: Add an additional tablespoon of chili crunch or toss in a sliced fresno pepper with the tomatoes earlier than baking.
- Use a distinct Boursin taste: Basic garlic & herb, shallot & chive, or cracked black pepper all work. Every offers the sauce a barely completely different persona.
- Strive completely different noodles: Soba noodles, lo mein, and even spaghetti work if rice noodles aren’t out there (notice: this adjustments the GF-friendly standing relying on the noodle).
- Add extra greens: Snap peas, broccoli florets, or sliced bell peppers can go proper into the casserole dish with every little thing else.
In the event you love this chili crisp salmon vibe, you’ll additionally love my Chili Crunch Salmon with Brothy Rice — identical taste universe, completely completely different format.
The way to Retailer and Reheat
- Fridge: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days. The noodles will take up some sauce as they sit — that’s regular.
- Reheating: Add a splash of water or broth and reheat gently within the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low warmth. This brings the creamy sauce again to life.
- Freezer: The casserole base (earlier than including noodles) freezes nicely for as much as 2 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge and cook dinner recent noodles when able to serve.
- Meal prep tip: Retailer the sauce and noodles individually within the fridge to maintain the noodles from getting mushy. Mix when able to eat.
Extra Simple Salmon Dinners
Love salmon for weeknight dinners? Listed below are a couple of extra of my favorites:
I wouldn’t suggest it for this recipe. The recent salmon bakes within the casserole dish and breaks into lovely flaky chunks. Canned salmon has a very completely different texture and would crumble into mush. If recent salmon isn’t out there, frozen fillets (thawed) work completely.
My favorites are Fly by Jing, Dealer Joe’s Chili Crunch, and Momofuku Chili Crunch. Any crunchy chili oil will work — simply test the label when you want gluten-free. Some manufacturers use soy sauce that incorporates wheat.
You’ll be able to assemble the casserole (salmon, tomatoes, edamame, Boursin, and chili crunch within the dish) up to some hours forward and refrigerate it lined. When able to bake, add an additional 5 minutes to the bake time because the dish will probably be chilly. Prepare dinner the noodles recent proper earlier than serving.
It’s naturally gluten-free pleasant because it makes use of rice noodles as an alternative of wheat pasta. The principle factor to test is your chili crunch label — most manufacturers are GF, however a couple of include soy sauce made with wheat. Boursin cheese is gluten-free.
Cream cheese blended with a clove of minced garlic and a tablespoon of recent herbs (parsley, chives, dill) is the closest swap. You gained’t get fairly the identical depth of taste, however it’ll nonetheless soften right into a creamy sauce. Goat cheese additionally works for a tangier model.
Preheat the oven to 425ºF and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking oil.
Add the salmon, cherry tomatoes, edamame, sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, and salt to the casserole dish and toss to coat. Make a nicely for the Boursin cheese close to the tomatoes and place the cheese within the nicely.
Prime the Boursin with 1 tablespoon of chili crunch, and prime the greens and salmon with the opposite tablespoon.
Cowl the casserole dish and bake for 25 minutes or till the salmon is totally cooked by way of (inner temp of 145ºF).
Whereas the salmon dish is baking, carry a big pot of water to a boil. Prepare dinner the rice noodles for 6-8 minutes or till al dente. Instantly drain and rinse with chilly water. Put aside.
As soon as the salmon is cooked, take away the dish from the oven. Utilizing a fork, gently break the salmon into bite-sized items and smash every tomato with the again of the fork. Stir the entire elements collectively — the Boursin and tomato juices ought to create a creamy sauce.
Toss the rice noodles with the sauce till evenly coated. Prime with cashews, cilantro, inexperienced onions, and a squeeze of recent lime juice. Serve instantly.
Examine your chili crunch label when you want this to be strictly gluten-free — most manufacturers are GF, however some include soy sauce with wheat.
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat gently — the noodles take up sauce as they sit, so add a splash of water or broth when reheating.
The casserole base (earlier than including noodles) freezes nicely for as much as 2 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge and cook dinner recent noodles when able to serve.
Energy: 352 kcal, Carbohydrates: 40 g, Protein: 20 g, Fats: 11 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 3 g
Vitamin info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
Images by: The Picket Skillet
