When you need an easy holiday-weekend dinner that feels hearty without a lot of fuss, these oven baked salmon collars are a wonderful choice. Salmon collars are richly flavored, budget-friendly, and perfect for baking straight from frozen with just a handful of pantry staples. Nestled over macaroni in a glass casserole dish, they turn into a simple all-in-one meal with tender fish and satisfying pasta that makes Labor Day cooking feel relaxed and family-friendly.
This dish is filling enough to serve on its own, but I like to round it out with a crisp green salad, steamed green beans, or simple roasted broccoli for a little freshness on the plate. A squeeze of lemon at the table brightens the salmon beautifully, and if you are feeding a hungrier crowd, warm dinner rolls or buttered corn make comforting sides that fit right in.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Labor Day Salmon Collars
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 pounds frozen raw salmon collars
2 cups dry elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch oven-safe glass casserole dish.
2. Spread the dry macaroni evenly across the bottom of the casserole dish, then arrange the frozen raw salmon collars in a single layer on top.
3. Drizzle the melted butter over the salmon collars and macaroni as evenly as you can, then sprinkle the garlic powder and salt all over the top.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes more, until the salmon is cooked through and the edges are lightly browned.
5. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving, then spoon some macaroni onto each plate and top with a salmon collar.
Variations & Tips
For extra flavor: Add a sprinkle of black pepper, a little paprika, or a few lemon slices on top before baking if you want a brighter, more savory finish.
For picky eaters: If some family members are unsure about salmon collars, gently pull the cooked meat from the bone and serve it over the macaroni so it feels a little more familiar and easier to eat.
Watch the pasta: Because oven temperatures and salmon collar sizes can vary, check the macaroni for tenderness before serving. If needed, cover and bake a little longer until both the fish and pasta are fully done.
Make it a complete meal: Stir in a handful of frozen peas or serve with a vegetable on the side to add color and make the casserole stretch a little farther for family dinner.