Luscious Salmon Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

Silky noodles dance with flaky salmon in this mouthwatering salmon pasta with creamy garlic sauce that promises pure comfort on a plate.

The rich, velvety sauce coats each strand of pasta with incredible depth and flavor.

Fresh ingredients combine to create a restaurant-worthy meal you can easily craft at home.

Fragrant garlic infuses every bite with warmth and intensity.

Tender salmon pieces nestle perfectly among al dente pasta, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

Quick to prepare and deeply satisfying, this dish delivers gourmet taste without complex techniques.

Let’s find out a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient List for Creamy Garlic Salmon Pasta

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta shape that provides a perfect base for creamy sauce, choose high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture.
• Salmon: Fresh, wild-caught salmon delivers rich omega-3 flavors and delicate flaky texture, select bright pink fillets with firm flesh.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce base with deep richness, opt for full-fat version for maximum creaminess.
• White Wine, Chicken Broth: Adds depth and complexity to sauce, select dry white wine or low-sodium broth for balanced flavor.
• Butter, Olive Oil: Provides smooth foundation and enhances overall richness, use extra virgin olive oil for subtle fruity notes.
• Flour: Helps thicken sauce and create smooth consistency, use all-purpose flour for reliable binding.

• Garlic, Onion Powder: Delivers aromatic, savory backbone to sauce, choose fresh garlic cloves for most intense flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens dish with tangy freshness, use freshly squeezed for vibrant citrus punch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty complexity, select freshly grated for most authentic taste.
• Parsley: Provides fresh herbal finish, choose bright green leaves with crisp texture.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate overall dish, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Utensils to Have Ready for Making Salmon Pasta

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and salting water.
• Skillet: Key tool for cooking salmon and creating the creamy garlic sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir ingredients and break salmon into bite-sized pieces.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending cream and ensuring smooth sauce consistency.
• Chef's knife: Needed for chopping parsley and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Useful for accurately portioning seasonings and flour.
• Colander: Required for draining cooked pasta efficiently.
• Plate: Temporary resting spot for cooked salmon before returning to sauce.

Making Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce and Flaky Salmon

• Water Preparation Kick-start the culinary journey by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil, seasoning with a generous pinch of salt. Cook pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, following package guidance.
• Salmon Sizzle Season your salmon fillets with a blend of aromatic spices, creating a flavor explosion that will make taste buds dance.
• Skillet Magic Heat a combination of olive oil and butter in a skillet, transforming it into a golden cooking playground. Sear the salmon for a brief moment on each side until a beautiful caramel crust forms, then set aside on a waiting plate.
• Sauce Foundation Lower the skillet's temperature and sprinkle in flour, stirring until it develops a light, nutty aroma that whispers of deliciousness to come.
• Flavor Burst Introduce minced garlic and a splash of wine, letting them mingle and create an intoxicating fragrance that fills the kitchen with excitement.
• Creamy Transformation Gently whisk in cream and a squeeze of bright lemon juice, watching the sauce transform into a silky, luxurious blanket of flavor.
• Cheese Love Fold in parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts completely and creates a velvety smooth sauce that clings to every ingredient.
• Salmon Reunion Carefully return the salmon to the pan, breaking it into tender morsels that swim happily in the creamy sauce. Allow everything to cuddle together for a few minutes.
• Final Flourish Drain the pasta and introduce it to the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water to create the perfect consistency. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
• Plate and Celebrate Serve immediately, with an extra dusting of parmesan for those who crave an additional flavor boost.

Helpful Tips to Get That Creamy, Rich Pasta Texture

• Salmon pasta becomes a breeze with these expert tips and delightful twists.
• Choose fresh, high-quality wild-caught salmon for the most robust flavor and best texture. Wild varieties tend to have a richer taste and firmer flesh compared to farm-raised options.
• When whisking the cream sauce, use a low and slow approach to prevent separation. Room temperature cream helps create a silky, uniform sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.
• Always reserve some pasta water before draining. This starchy liquid acts as a natural thickener and helps bind the sauce to the noodles, creating a more cohesive dish.
• Fresh herbs can transform this recipe. Try swapping parsley with dill, chives, or basil for an instant flavor boost that complements the salmon's richness.
• For a lighter version, substitute salmon with grilled chicken or replace with shrimp for a seafood twist that maintains the dish's creamy, elegant profile.

Elegant Plating Ideas for Salmon Pasta Dishes

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this salmon pasta on large, shallow white plates to showcase the creamy sauce and golden salmon chunks, creating an inviting visual appeal.
• Restaurant-Style Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and extra parmesan cheese on top, with a delicate lemon wedge on the side for guests to squeeze over their dish, adding a bright, zesty touch.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, creamy sauce with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which will beautifully balance the salmon's richness and cut through the creamy texture.
• Healthy Side Companion: Pair the pasta with a light mixed green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette or roasted asparagus to add a fresh, nutritious element that contrasts the decadent main course.

Keeping Leftovers of Creamy Salmon Pasta Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover salmon pasta in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping it chilled at 40°F or below to maintain optimal food safety and taste quality.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm portions in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore sauce's creamy texture and prevent drying out, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Freshness Window: Consume refrigerated salmon pasta within 2-3 days for best flavor and texture, checking for any off-odors or discoloration before reheating to ensure food remains safe and delicious.
• Freezing Recommendations: While cream-based sauces can separate when frozen, you can store the pasta for up to one month if needed – thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat carefully to minimize sauce breakdown.

Decadent Salmon Pasta

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade salmon pasta celebrates classic Italian coastal cuisine through its rich garlic cream sauce. Delicate fish pieces and silky noodles combine perfectly for you to savor Mediterranean comfort on your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 0.5 pound (227 grams) fresh salmon
• 8 oz (226 grams) uncooked spaghetti
• 0.75 cup (180 mL) heavy cream
• 0.5 cup (120 mL) dry white wine or chicken broth
• 0.5 cup (50 grams) freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (14 grams) butter
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
• 1 tbsp (8 grams) chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp (8 grams) flour
• 0.25 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring salted water to a vigorous boil and cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Drain and reserve a tablespoon of pasta water for later use.
2. Salmon Seasoning: Thoroughly pat salmon fillets dry and season comprehensively with onion powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Salmon Searing: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, combining olive oil and butter to create a golden cooking surface. Sear salmon for 2-3 minutes per side until a crisp, golden-brown crust develops. Transfer fish to a clean plate.
4. Sauce Foundation: Reduce heat and dust the same skillet with flour, stirring continuously for 30-40 seconds until a light golden hue and nutty fragrance emerges. Add minced garlic and deglaze with white wine, allowing it to simmer and reduce briefly.
5. Cream Sauce Development: Whisk heavy cream and lemon juice into the skillet, creating a smooth, velvety sauce. Gradually incorporate grated parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated, resulting in a rich, creamy consistency.
6. Final Assembly: Break cooked salmon into bite-sized chunks and fold gently into the sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to meld flavors. Add cooked pasta directly to the sauce, using reserved pasta water to enhance the silky texture. Toss carefully to ensure even coating.
7. Serving: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the dish remains hot and creamy.

Notes

• Salmon Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality salmon with a vibrant pink color and firm texture for the best flavor and tender results.
• Seasoning Technique: Press seasonings into salmon’s surface to enhance flavor penetration and create a delicious golden crust.
• Sauce Consistency: Whisk sauce continuously to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, velvety texture that coats pasta perfectly.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat when creating sauce to prevent cream from separating or burning, ensuring a luxurious, stable sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg