Baked Salmon Casserole 🐟🧄🔥 Creamy, Herby, and Oven-Baked With Flaky Salmon and a Crisp, Cheesy Crust

This is elegant comfort — roasted or canned salmon folded into a creamy, garlicky base with tender pasta, herbs, and melty cheese, then baked until golden on top. It’s lighter than a heavy cream-based casserole but still deeply satisfying and rich with clean, briny flavor.

Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or dressing up pantry staples with just enough flair to feel intentional.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the base

• 12 oz penne, fusilli, or medium shells
• Salt for pasta water
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups milk
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella, Fontina, or Monterey Jack
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the salmon

• 12 oz cooked salmon (leftover, roasted, or high-quality canned), flaked
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tbsp chopped dill, parsley, or chives

Optional mix-ins

• 1 cup baby spinach or thawed frozen peas
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes or smoked paprika

Topping

• ½ cup panko or crushed Ritz crackers
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tbsp Parmesan
• Optional: extra herbs or lemon zest to finish

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat oil or butter over medium. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.

Sprinkle in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a light roux. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened, 3–5 minutes. Stir in sour cream, Dijon, cheeses, salt, pepper, and paprika or red pepper flakes if using.

Step 3: Combine

Fold cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, then gently mix in flaked salmon, lemon juice, herbs, and any greens or veggies. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Transfer to a greased 9×13″ or 2-quart baking dish.

Step 4: Top and Bake

Mix panko with melted butter and Parmesan. Sprinkle over casserole evenly.

Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbling with a golden crust. Broil 1–2 minutes at the end for extra crispness if needed.

Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with herbs or lemon zest if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Swap salmon for hot-smoked salmon or canned trout
• Add chopped artichokes, sautéed leeks, or capers for brightness
• Use half milk, half seafood stock for extra briny depth
• Replace pasta with cooked rice or quinoa for a grainy base
• Stir in goat cheese or Boursin for an herby punch

Pro Tips

• If using canned salmon, drain well and flake gently
• Keep pasta slightly undercooked — it softens more while baking
• Broil the top briefly for extra crunch — but don’t walk away
• For make-ahead: assemble, cover, and refrigerate — bake when ready
• Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of milk or stock

Final Thoughts

Baked Salmon Casserole is creamy, briny, and weeknight-simple with just enough edge to feel special. It’s everything good about a tuna bake — but upgraded with better flavor, texture, and elegance.

Bake it. Flake it. Let the crust do the talking. 🐟🔥🧄

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.