This oven baked 4-ingredient sheet pan lemon salmon farfalle is one of those busy-weeknight miracles I picked up from my uncle, who swears by keeping dinners simple but rich-tasting. Everything bakes together on one pan: flaky pink salmon, bowtie pasta, and a creamy pale yellow lemon sauce that looks way fancier than the effort it takes. If you’re juggling work, kids, or just a long day, this is the kind of no-fuss, no-chop recipe that still feels like a cozy, home-cooked meal.
This pasta bake is pretty complete on its own, but a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness really well. Garlic bread or a warm baguette is great for soaking up any extra lemony cream sauce on the sheet pan. If you like a little contrast, serve with roasted broccoli or green beans tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper—just pop them in the oven on a separate rack while the salmon farfalle finishes baking.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Sheet Pan Lemon Salmon FarfalleServings: 4
Ingredients
8 oz dry farfalle (bowtie pasta)
1 1/2 lb skinless salmon fillet, cut into large chunks
2 cups heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream)
2 large lemons (zest and juice of both, plus extra slices for garnish if desired)
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Nonstick cooking spray or a little oil for the pan (for greasing)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large, rimmed sheet pan with nonstick spray or a thin layer of oil so the pasta and salmon don’t stick.
Parboil the farfalle: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook for 5–6 minutes, just until it starts to soften but is still quite firm in the center (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain well and spread the pasta out on the sheet pan in an even layer.
Nestle the salmon chunks into the parboiled pasta on the sheet pan, spacing them out so each piece has some pasta around it. Sprinkle the salmon and pasta evenly with the kosher salt and black pepper.
In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt if needed, keeping in mind the salmon and pasta are already lightly seasoned.
Pour the creamy lemon mixture evenly over the salmon and pasta on the sheet pan, gently tossing or nudging with a spatula so most of the pasta is coated and the salmon pieces have sauce around them. If using lemon slices for garnish, lay a few on top of the salmon.
Carefully transfer the sheet pan to the oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the pasta is tender. The sauce should be creamy and slightly thickened, with a pale yellow color from the lemon.
Once baked, remove the sheet pan from the oven and let it rest for 3–5 minutes. Gently flake the salmon into large chunks with a fork and lightly toss with the pasta so everything is coated in the lemon cream sauce. Serve straight from the pan while it’s hot and the salmon is still incredibly flaky and rich.
Variations & Tips
To keep this truly 4-ingredient, all of the flavor comes from the salmon, lemon, cream, and pasta, plus basic pantry salt and pepper. If you want to dress it up, you can sprinkle grated Parmesan or pecorino over the top right after baking, or add a handful of baby spinach or frozen peas to the pasta before pouring on the cream for some color and veggies. For a lighter version, you can swap half of the heavy cream for whole milk, though the sauce will be a bit thinner and less rich. If you only have salmon with skin, place the chunks skin-side down on the sheet pan; after baking, the flesh will easily flake off the skin. Food safety tips: Always keep raw salmon refrigerated until you’re ready to cook, and wash your hands, cutting board, and knife thoroughly after handling it. Bake the salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part, and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Leftovers reheat well in a covered dish at a low oven temperature (around 300°F/150°C) with a splash of cream or milk to keep the pasta from drying out.
