Description
Luxurious salmon pasta delivers rich Mediterranean flavors from coastal Italian kitchens. Cream-based sauce and fresh herbs combine for an elegant dinner experience you will savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 salmon fillets (skinless, cut into chunks)
Pasta and Starch:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water according to package directions, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Sear salmon in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and easily flaked. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Reduce heat and melt butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Deglaze pan with broth, scraping up caramelized bits from bottom. Incorporate heavy cream, grated Parmesan, seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer sauce until slightly thickened.
- Gently break salmon into rustic chunks and reintroduce to the simmering sauce. Splash with fresh lemon juice for brightness.
- Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated. Toss carefully to prevent breaking salmon pieces.
- Transfer to serving plates, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately while sauce remains warm and silky.
Notes
- Perfectly flake salmon by using a fork and gently separating the fish into bite-sized chunks to ensure tender, even pieces throughout the dish.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lighter, healthier alternative that still maintains a creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
- Choose fresh salmon fillets over frozen for maximum flavor and texture, ensuring the fish is at room temperature before cooking to promote even heat distribution.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – start with a pinch for mild warmth or add extra for a spicier kick that complements the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 810 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg