diff --git a/spyder/plugins/projects.py b/spyder/plugins/projects.py
index f7595caed00..b77c0d840b5 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/projects.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/projects.py
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ def switch_to_plugin(self):
                 self.toggle_view_action.setChecked(True)
             self.visibility_changed(True)
 
-    #------ Public API ---------------------------------------------------------
+    # ------ Public API -------------------------------------------------------
     def setup_menu_actions(self):
         """Setup and update the menu actions."""
         self.recent_project_menu.clear()
@@ -188,15 +188,13 @@ def setup_menu_actions(self):
             for project in self.recent_projects:
                 if self.is_valid_project(project):
                     name = project.replace(get_home_dir(), '~')
-
-                    def slot():
-                        self.switch_to_plugin()
-                        self.open_project(path=project)
-
-                    action = create_action(self,
+                    action = create_action(
+                        self,
                         name,
-                        icon = ima.icon('project'),
-                        triggered=slot)
+                        icon=ima.icon('project'),
+                        triggered=(
+                            lambda _, p=project: self.open_project(path=p))
+                        )
                     self.recent_projects_actions.append(action)
                 else:
                     self.recent_projects.remove(project)
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py
index 2edf6277bb3..3ca9785917f 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py
@@ -120,5 +120,35 @@ def test_open_project_uses_visible_config(projects, tmpdir, value):
     assert projects.dockwidget.isVisible() == value
 
 
+def test_recent_projects_menu_action(projects, tmpdir):
+    """
+    Test that the actions of the submenu 'Recent Projects' in the 'Projects'
+    main menu are working as expected.
+    Regression test for Issue #8450.
+    """
+    recent_projects_len = len(projects.recent_projects)
+
+    # Create the directories.
+    path0 = to_text_string(tmpdir.mkdir('project0'))
+    path1 = to_text_string(tmpdir.mkdir('project1'))
+    path2 = to_text_string(tmpdir.mkdir('project2'))
+
+    # Open projects in path0, path1, and path2.
+    projects.open_project(path=path0)
+    projects.open_project(path=path1)
+    projects.open_project(path=path2)
+    assert (len(projects.recent_projects_actions) ==
+            recent_projects_len + 3 + 2)
+    assert projects.get_active_project().root_path == path2
+
+    # Trigger project1 in the list of Recent Projects actions.
+    projects.recent_projects_actions[1].trigger()
+    assert projects.get_active_project().root_path == path1
+
+    # Trigger project0 in the list of Recent Projects actions.
+    projects.recent_projects_actions[2].trigger()
+    assert projects.get_active_project().root_path == path0
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     pytest.main()