Description
A cozy, creamy homemade pasta dish that wraps flaky salmon in a velvety sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
- 1 pound salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into large chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional veggies: baby spinach, peas, or asparagus tips
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the salmon dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the salmon chunks 2–3 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Sauté the shallot for 1–2 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and cook until fragrant — about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and scrape any browned bits from the pan; add the cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in Parmesan a little at a time until smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time.
- Return salmon to the pan gently, breaking into bite-sized pieces if desired. Add lemon zest and juice, and stir in greens until wilted.
- Toss cooked pasta into the sauce until every strand is glossy and coated. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Finish with chopped dill or parsley for brightness. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pat the salmon dry before searing for a beautiful crust. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce thickness as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: salmon pasta, creamy pasta, quick family meals, seafood pasta