Salmon pasta sat nicely

Creamy Salmon Pasta

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Pasta:

  • 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or farfalle work well)

  • Salt (for pasta water)

• Salmon & Sauce:

  • 1 lb (450g) fresh salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into bite-sized chunks

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 small onion or shallot, finely diced

  • ½ cup (120ml) white wine (or sub with vegetable broth)

  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)

  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 tsp lemon zest + 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

  • Salt & black pepper to taste

• Greens & Herbs:

  • 2 cups baby spinach or arugula

  • 2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

• Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

• Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Sear the Salmon

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add salmon chunks, season with salt & pepper, and sear for 2–3 mins per side until lightly golden (don’t fully cook yet).

• Remove salmon and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce

• In the same skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.

• Sauté onion/shallot until soft (~2 mins), then add garlic and cook until fragrant (~30 secs).

• Pour in white wine (or broth), simmer for 2 mins to reduce slightly.

• Lower heat, stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, lemon zest/juice, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3–4 mins until slightly thickened.

4. Combine Everything

• Add spinach/arugula to the sauce, stirring until wilted (~1 min).

• Gently fold in the partially cooked salmon and cooked pasta.

• Toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

• Finish with fresh herbs, extra Parmesan, and a crack of black pepper.

Serving Suggestions

✨ Garnish: Extra dill/parsley, lemon wedges, or microgreens.
🍷 Pair with: A crisp white wine (like Pinot Grigio) or sparkling water with lemon.
🥗 Side: Simple green salad or garlic bread.

Tips for Success

• Salmon: For flakier texture, use wild-caught salmon. Avoid overcooking!

• Creaminess: Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt + milk for a lighter sauce.

• Pasta Water: The starchy water helps bind the sauce beautifully.