This Simple Salmon Pasta Recipe is a weeknight winner that’s ready in under an hour! Tender salmon flakes mingle with a creamy sauce and perfectly cooked pasta, making a comforting and satisfying meal.
Imagine a plate of pasta coated in a luscious, flavorful sauce, dotted with flaky salmon and fresh herbs.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory with a hint of briny and fresh notes.
- Textures: Tender salmon, al dente pasta, and a creamy sauce.
- Total Time: About 40 minutes.
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for beginner cooks.
What You’ll Need
This recipe brings together flaky salmon, your favorite pasta, and a simple sauce that comes together in minutes. You’ll also need some fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavors, creating a complete and balanced meal.
Ingredient Notes
- Salmon – Fresh salmon fillets are the star of the show. Look for skinless fillets for convenience, or you can remove the skin yourself.
- Pasta – The recipe is great with spaghetti. However, feel free to use your favourite pasta shape, such as penne or linguine.
- Heavy Cream – This is what creates that luscious, creamy sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Butter – Unsalted butter adds richness and helps create the base of our sauce.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic infuses the sauce with a delicious, aromatic depth.
- Lemon – Adds a bright, acidic note that balances the richness of the sauce.
- Fresh Dill / Parsley – Chopped fresh herbs brighten the flavors and add visual appeal. Use either dill or parsley, or a combination.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Extra Veggies: Sauté some cherry tomatoes or spinach along with the garlic for added nutrients and flavor.
- Cheese Please: A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is a perfect finishing touch.
How to Make Simple Salmon Pasta
- Start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic for about a minute, until fragrant.
- Add the salmon fillets to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside. Then, add the heavy cream and lemon juice to the skillet.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly.
- Flake the cooked salmon with a fork.
- Add the cooked pasta and the flaked salmon to the sauce.
- Toss to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the fresh dill / parsley.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs, if desired.
Pro Tip: Don’t overcook the salmon. It should be tender and flaky when done.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta until it is only just done, as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet. If your skillet is too small to cook both fillets at once, cook the salmon in batches.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste. A little goes a long way.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end. You may need more salt and pepper depending on your preference.
- Use a wide skillet to give the salmon plenty of room to cook evenly.
FAQs
- Can I use canned salmon? Yes, you can. Drain the canned salmon and gently flake it before adding it to the sauce.
- Can I use frozen salmon? Yes, thaw the salmon completely before cooking. Pat it dry before searing.
- How long will the leftovers last? Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Simple Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette is perfect.
- Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread will soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
- Steamed Vegetables: Serve with steamed asparagus or green beans for a complete meal.
- White Wine: A crisp white wine pairs beautifully with this dish.
Make This Recipe in Advance
The sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before adding the pasta and salmon. The salmon is best cooked fresh, but the cooked salmon can be flaked and stored in the refrigerator for up to a day.
Simple Salmon Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Simple Salmon Pasta Recipe is a weeknight winner that’s ready in under an hour! Tender salmon flakes mingle with a creamy sauce and perfectly cooked pasta, making a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
16 oz. rigatoni/pasta
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. salmon fillet
Zest of one lemon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons capers
Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated
Instructions
Cook pasta as directed on the package.
Season salmon with salt and pepper, then bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
Drain the cooked pasta and mix with garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper.
Stir in lemon juice, zest, and capers.
Flake the salmon into pieces.
Gently combine the salmon with the pasta.
Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Cook the pasta until it is only just done, as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet. If your skillet is too small to cook both fillets at once, cook the salmon in batches.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste. A little goes a long way.
Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end. You may need more salt and pepper depending on your preference.
Use a wide skillet to give the salmon plenty of room to cook evenly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: Estimated 500-600 calories per serving. (This is a rough estimate and will vary based on ingredients and serving size.)
- Fat: Estimated 25-35g per serving. (This is a rough estimate and will vary based on ingredients and serving size.)
- Carbohydrates: Estimated 50-60g per serving. (This is a rough estimate and will vary based on ingredients and serving size.)
- Protein: Estimated 35-45g per serving. (This is a rough estimate and will vary based on ingredients and serving size.)
