This easy and Creamy Salmon Pasta recipe is a deliciously simple way to elevate your weeknight dinners. Combining quickly seared salmon with a creamy, smoky sauce and your pasta of choice, this dish is a flavorful, satisfying meal that's ready in just 25 minutes!
Craving a dish that's hearty, comforting, and full of flavor? Then this creamy salmon pasta recipe is just what you need! It's a fool-proof dish that's quick and easy to make yet tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen.
If you love pasta featuring seafood, make sure to check out my pasta With frozen mussels, salmon and asparagus pasta, and fresh mussels pasta in a white wine sauce.
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Why This Is The Best Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is incredibly easy to prepare. With a total time of just 25 minutes, you'll have a delicious meal on the table in no time.
- Easy to Make: With simple steps and easy-to-follow instructions, even a beginner cook can master this creamy salmon pasta.
- Unforgettable: The combination of tender salmon, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta creates a flavor that's truly unforgettable.
- Family Favorite: This dish is a hit with both kids and adults, making it a go-to recipe for family dinners.
- Comfort Food: With its creamy sauce and hearty ingredients, this dish is the ultimate comfort food.
Key Ingredients
Here's an overview of some key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Salmon: The star of the dish, salmon brings a rich, hearty flavor and is packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
- Butter: This ingredient adds a creamy, rich texture to the dish and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Flour: This will be used to thicken the sauce, giving it a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Half and Half: This gives the sauce a creamy, velvety texture. If you don't have half and half, you can substitute it with equal parts of milk and cream.
- Capers: These add a tangy, briny flavor that compliments the rich, fatty salmon.
- Smoked Paprika: This spice adds a smoky, sweet flavor and a beautiful color to the dish.
- Dry Fettucini: This pasta is perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce. You can substitute it with any other pasta you prefer.
How to Make Creamy Salmon Pasta
Making this incredible creamy salmon pasta recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
Cook the pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your preferred pasta and boil according to the package directions. If you prefer your pasta al dente, keep a close eye on it to guarantee it doesn't overcook. Once it's ready, drain the pasta, but keep 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to the side.
Prepare the salmon: While your pasta is cooking, melt butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add your salmon fillets and sear them for around 3-4 minutes on each side. Then, transfer the salmon to a plate lined with a paper towel.
Create your sauce: Using the same pan, melt another tablespoon of butter. Add some purpose flour to the pan and whisk it until the paste cooks and starts to bubble, which should take about 1 minute. Then, add some white wine and let it simmer until it's reduced by half - this should take about 3 minutes.
Add the finishing touches to your sauce: Now, it's time to add your heavy cream, smoked paprika, capers, salt, and pepper to the pan. Let the mixture heat until it starts to bubble. Then, add your salmon back into the pan and let it cook for another 3 minutes.
Combine everything: Add your cooked pasta to the pan with the salmon and the sauce. Stir everything together until it's well mixed. If you need to, add some of the pasta cooking water you set aside earlier to thin out the sauce.
Serve and enjoy: Divide your creamy salmon pasta recipe among your serving bowls. For an extra pop of flavor, sprinkle each serving with some fresh parsley. Then, sit back and enjoy your delicious homemade pasta dish!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips For Making the Best Creamy Salmon Pasta
- Choose the right salmon: For this creamy salmon pasta recipe, it's best to use fresh salmon fillets. Make sure the skin is removed and the salmon is cubed before cooking. This guarantees even cooking and makes it easier to incorporate into the pasta.
- Use the right pasta: While this recipe calls for fettucini, you can substitute it with other pasta like spaghetti or linguini. The key is to cook it until it's al dente, which means it's cooked but still has a bit of a bite to it.
- Don't discard the pasta water: After boiling your pasta, don't forget to reserve some of the pasta water. This starchy water can be used to thin out the sauce if needed, and it helps in binding the sauce to the pasta.
- Master the sauce: The sauce is a crucial part of this dish. Start by melting butter and adding flour to create a roux. Then add white wine and let it simmer until it's reduced by half. This process enhances the flavor of the sauce.
- Finish with fresh herbs: Don't forget to sprinkle some chopped parsley on top of your creamy salmon pasta. This not only adds a pop of color but also gives a fresh flavor that compliments the creamy sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy salmon pasta recipe is a hearty dish that pairs well with a variety of vegetable sides. Here are a few suggestions:
- For a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta, try serving it with a Vegan Cauliflower and Cucumber Salad. The crisp vegetables and tangy dressing will balance out the creaminess of the pasta.
- If you're looking for a cheesy side dish, consider Baked Zucchini with Tomatoes and Mozzarella. The melted mozzarella and juicy tomatoes complement the flavors of the salmon pasta beautifully.
- Roasted Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes would also make a great side dish. The roasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables, which pairs well with the savory salmon pasta.For a quick and easy side, try 15-minute Sautéed Green Beans. Their crisp texture and fresh flavor make them a perfect match for this creamy pasta dish.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Lemon and Dill: If you love the refreshing tang of lemons and the unique flavor of dill, this variation is for you. Simply add the zest of one lemon and a tablespoon of chopped fresh dill to the sauce. The lemon zest will add a bright, citrusy flavor, while the dill will give the dish a unique, herby twist.
- Garlic Parmesan: For garlic and cheese lovers, this variation is a must-try. Add an extra two cloves of minced garlic to the butter and sprinkle a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese on top before serving. The additional garlic will enhance the savory flavor of the dish, while the parmesan cheese will add a creamy, salty twist.
- Gluten-Free: If you're following a gluten-free diet, you can still enjoy this creamy salmon pasta. Simply replace the regular pasta with a gluten-free variety. This way, you can enjoy the same delicious flavors without worrying about gluten.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any type of salmon for this recipe. However, fresh salmon fillets are the best. Make sure to remove the skin and cube the salmon before cooking.
Yes, you can. While this recipe calls for Fettucini, you can use any pasta you like. Spaghetti, linguini, or any other pasta will work just fine. Just make sure to cook it until it's al dente for the best texture.
If you don't have white wine, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth. It will still give the sauce a nice flavor.
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and replacing the flour with a gluten-free alternative like cornstarch or gluten-free all-purpose flour.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: After enjoying this creamy salmon pasta recipe, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll stay fresh for up to three days.
- Reheat Instructions: When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply reheat them on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan.
- Freeze: Unfortunately, this dish doesn't freeze well due to the heavy cream in the sauce. Freezing can cause the sauce to separate and lose its creamy texture.
Try These Seafood Recipes
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Recipe
Easy Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon skin removed and salmon cubed
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 c white wine
- 1 c half and half see the notes
- 1 tablespoon capers
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 8 oz dry Fettuccine or any other pasta
- 4 tablespoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook 10 minutes or until ready. After pasta is soft or al dente if you like, drain pasta reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large non-stick pan and over medium heat.
- Add salmon and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer salmon on a paper towel.
- In the same pan melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, add flour and whisk until paste cooks and bubbles for 1 minute. Add white wine and simmer until reduced by half, 3 minutes
- Add half and half, smoked paprika, capers, salt and pepper and heat until bubbles. Add salmon back into the pan and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add pasta to a pan with salmon and the sauce, and mix everything well. If needed, add ¼ cup of pasta cooking water to thin out the sauce. Otherwise, divide creamy salmon pasta among the serving bowls, sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Milly says
How much wine?
Iryna says
Milly, it's 1 c of white wine, but you can add less if you want.
Paula says
Could I use canned samon
Eric says
Great meal. I added Peas and Carrots to it for color and to get my veggies in.
Iryna says
Eric, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Natalia says
Very easy and great meal, love it.
Iryna says
Thank you!:)