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Anti-Inflammatory Lemony Salmon & Orzo Casserole

Prep Time:30 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Servings: 4 minutes

This lemony salmon and orzo casserole is a one-dish dinner that's packed with omega-3 fatty acids—a polyunsaturated fat in salmon that can help tame inflammation and may even help lower blood pressure. Here, omega-3-rich salmon sits on top of an orzo mixture that bakes in the oven, instead of boiling on the stovetop, absorbing all the bright and lemony flavors while it cooks.

Ingredients:
  • 1 small lemon
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 2 medium leeks, light green and white parts only, thinly sliced (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed, divided
  • 4 cups lower-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 cups whole-wheat orzo
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1½ pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into large chunks
  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (3 cups)
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill plus 1/4 cup, divided
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut lemon in half crosswise. Thinly slice 1 lemon half; remove and discard seeds and lemon end. Juice the remaining lemon half to yield 1 tablespoon juice; set aside. Place the lemon slices, tomatoes, leeks, garlic, 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon capers in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; toss to combine.
  2. Bake, uncovered, until the tomatoes have begun to burst and the lemon has softened, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from oven; gently stir in broth, orzo and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover with foil. Bake until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the orzo is al dente, 20 to 26 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, season salmon and asparagus with pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt; drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil.
  4. Once the orzo is al dente, remove the baking dish from the oven; stir in the asparagus and 2 tablespoons dill. Nestle the salmon into the orzo mixture. Bake, uncovered, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily when tested with a fork, about 10 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, combine the reserved 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon capers and 1/4 cup dill in a small bowl. Serve the sauce alongside the casserole.
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