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Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe

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4.3 from 2 reviews

A rich and creamy salmon pasta recipe that combines perfectly seared salmon fillets with a luscious heavy cream sauce, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. This comforting dish is quick to prepare, taking only 30 minutes, and is ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner for four.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound dry pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)

Salmon

  • 2-3 pieces salmon fillets, about 2-inches wide (1 pound)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons white wine
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 lemon, sliced into wedges

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, or following package directions. Drain well and return to the pot. Drizzle a little olive oil and toss to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Let them rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  3. Sear Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add salmon fillets skin-side up and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Remove from skillet and shred the salmon into flakes using two forks.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add butter, diced onion, and chopped garlic. Sauté until fragrant and the onion is softened, about 1 minute. Stir in cornstarch and cook for another minute to combine.
  5. Add Wine and Simmer Sauce: Pour in the white wine and stir well. Allow it to cook down for about 1 minute to reduce slightly.
  6. Create Cream Sauce: Add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously and bring the sauce to a simmer. Lower heat to medium and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens to the desired consistency.
  7. Combine Salmon and Sauce: Return the shredded salmon to the skillet and mix gently to coat it evenly with the creamy sauce.
  8. Mix Pasta: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the creamy salmon sauce. Toss everything carefully until the pasta is fully coated and heated through.
  9. Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges on the side to brighten the flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Use white wine suitable for cooking or dry white wine for best flavor. If unavailable, substitute with chicken broth or vegetable broth.
  • Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
  • For a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but expect a less rich sauce.
  • Ensure not to overcook salmon to keep it moist and tender.
  • To avoid pasta sticking, toss with olive oil immediately after draining.