Easy Breaded Halibut Pasta Dinner for Two

Fresh Seafood Meets Simple Italian Comfort

When you start with exceptional seafood, the recipe doesn’t need to be complicated. This easy halibut pasta dinner combines fresh halibut from Catalina Offshore Products, premium Rummo Pasta, and crispy Appel Foods Nut Crumbs to create a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

The mild, buttery flavor of halibut pairs beautifully with pasta and a light lemon garlic cream sauce. The nut crumb coating adds a crisp texture and subtle flavor that complements the fish without overpowering it. Whether you use Angel Hair Spaghetti for a lighter dish or Rigatoni for something heartier, this meal delivers bright coastal flavors with minimal effort.

All of the featured ingredients are available in-store at Catalina Offshore Products, making it easy to recreate this dish with the freshest seafood and high-quality pantry staples.

Why This Halibut Pasta Works So Well

Fresh halibut is prized for its clean flavor and firm texture, making it perfect for a light breaded preparation. Instead of traditional breadcrumbs, this recipe uses Appel Foods Nut Crumbs, which create a crisp, flavorful crust while remaining gluten-free.

The lemon garlic cream sauce ties everything together. It lightly coats the pasta while adding brightness that enhances the halibut’s natural sweetness. The result is a balanced seafood dinner that feels elegant but comes together in about 35 minutes.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

To serve four people, simply double all ingredients.

For the Halibut

• 2 fresh halibut fillets (about 6 oz each) from Catalina Offshore Products
• 1 cup Appel Foods Nut Crumbs
  • Original, Spicy, or Lemon Pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

For the Pasta

• 6 ounces Rummo Angel Hair Spaghetti or Rigatoni
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for pasta water)

Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth or seafood stock
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Cooking Time

Step	Time
Prep ingredients	15 minutes
Cook pasta & halibut	15 minutes
Make sauce & combine	5 minutes
Total Time	35 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Halibut

Pat the halibut fillets dry with paper towels. Dry fish helps the coating adhere properly and creates a better crust.

Season both sides with salt and pepper.

In a shallow bowl whisk together:

• Egg
• Water

Place Appel Foods Nut Crumbs in another shallow dish.

Dip each fillet into the egg mixture, then press into the nut crumbs until fully coated.

Cooking Tip:
Let the breaded fillets rest for 5 minutes before cooking. This helps the coating set and stay crisp.

2. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt, then cook the Rummo pasta according to package directions until al dente.

Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Chef Tip:
Angel hair cooks quickly—usually about 3–4 minutes—so keep an eye on it.

3. Pan-Sear the Halibut

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Add:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter

When hot, place the breaded halibut fillets into the pan.

Cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

Transfer the fish to a plate and keep warm.

Food Safety Tip:
Halibut is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and flakes easily with a fork.

4. Make the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

In the same skillet reduce heat to medium-low.

Add:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the pan to release flavorful browned bits.

Simmer 1–2 minutes.

Stir in:

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Salt and pepper

Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

5. Toss the Pasta

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and gently toss to coat.

If the sauce seems thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until silky.

Stir in the fresh parsley.

6. Plate the Dish

Divide the pasta between two plates.

Place a crispy halibut fillet on top and finish with fresh lemon wedges.

For best texture, spoon sauce mostly onto the pasta rather than over the fish to keep the crust crisp.

Chef Tips for the Best Halibut Pasta

Choose the right crumb flavor

• Original – clean flavor that lets the halibut shine
• Lemon Pepper – perfect citrus pairing with seafood
• Spicy – adds a subtle kick against the creamy sauce

Don’t overcrowd the pan
Cooking fish in a single layer ensures an even golden crust.

Finish with fresh lemon
A small squeeze right before serving brightens the entire dish.

Use high-quality seafood
Fresh halibut from Catalina Offshore Products makes the biggest difference in flavor and texture.

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~840
Protein	43 g
Carbohydrates	42 g
Fat	54 g
Fiber	4 g
Sugar	3 g
Sodium	760 mg

Nutrition estimates may vary based on portion size and ingredient brands.

Featured Ingredients Available In-Store

You can find everything needed for this recipe at: Catalina Offshore Products

Look for:

• Fresh halibut fillets
• Rummo Angel Hair Spaghetti or Rigatoni
• Appel Foods Nut Crumbs (Original, Spicy, Lemon Pepper)

Using high-quality ingredients makes this simple dish taste like something from a coastal restaurant.

Final Thoughts

This breaded halibut pasta dinner is the perfect example of how fresh seafood and quality ingredients can transform a simple recipe into something special. The crispy nut-crumb crust, silky lemon garlic sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta create a balanced meal that’s both comforting and elegant.

Whether you’re cooking a weeknight dinner or a date-night meal at home, this recipe delivers fresh coastal flavor in under 40 minutes.

Stop by Catalina Offshore Products to pick up fresh halibut and the ingredients needed to bring this dish to life in your own kitchen.