Creamy Lemon Pasta with Roasted Salmon and Peas

What is it about a creamy, dreamy pasta dish that can turn a bad day upside down?

This particular recipe is exactly what I want to be eating right now. It's bursting with fresh lemon flavor, but at the same time it is the perfect comfort food dish thanks to a decadent bechamel sauce and buttery roasted salmon. We aren't diving head-first into rich wintertime casseroles, rather we're tip-toeing into what is (in my opinion) the best time of year for cooking. 

Let's talk about this Creamy Lemon Pasta with Roasted Salmon and Peas. Surely it is reminiscent of pasta carbonara, with a super creamy sauce (though not from eggs), a rich fatty protein (this time salmon over bacon), and little bursts from frozen peas. For the pasta, I used bucatini which I just love particularly for it's chewier, sturdy texture. It holds up extremely well to our cream sauce, which is made all the more irresistible on account of it starts with sauteed garlic and sliced leeks in a bit of butter and olive oil before finishing with a generous sprinkle of lemon zest and juice <3 

Oh, and by the way...the salmon? It is AMAZING on it's own, a dinner in and of itself. We are simply taking it to the next level by breaking it up and tossing it into this pasta dish. I roast the salmon skin side down on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and drizzled with olive oil. Then, I generously season the flesh with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Lay a few lemon slices over the top before baking and viola! Perfectly cooked, ridiculously simple salmon. 

Let's bid farewell to summer and welcome fall with this fresh and cozy pasta! 

Kale, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza

Wow, hey guys! I've been MIA, huh?

It's been a busy few weeks that has overlapped with a bit of a cooking rut. I've been making plenty of food but I've had a hard time feeling inspired by the meals I've made. I'm hoping to turn that around this week and bring you some yummy spring recipes!

I've historically found that when I find myself in a rut, the best thing to do is to make something that is familiar and undeniably delicious no matter what. For me, that food is pizza. Put anything on a chewy crust and cover it in gooey cheese and, well, we're back in business!

This Kale, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza is made on my favorite, no rise crust which makes this a quick, easy and delicious meatless Monday meal! The edges of the kale get an amazing crispy char to them while the creamy goat cheese melts just slightly over the sauce. Mushrooms add a meaty element that really rounds out (ha!) the dish.

As with nearly any recipe I put out here on the internet, this is the perfect base pizza recipe that you can add and adjust to your heart's desire. Add some crispy ground sausage because OMG sausage, kale and mushrooms are the ultimate trifecta. Want more veggies? Throw 'em on! Just remember not to overcrowd your toppings because it risks making your crust soggy and that would be sad.

I see your cooking rut and I raise you one quick, tasty, wonderfully composed pizza recipe. Ahh, it feels good to be back.