Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe: Quick, Easy, and Delicious

Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This creamy salmon pasta recipe combines tender roasted salmon with a luxurious white wine sauce, fresh spinach, and zesty lemon. It’s a surprisingly simple dish that tastes incredibly impressive, making it perfect for both busy evenings and special occasions. Get ready to create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave something special without a lot of fuss.
• Impressive Meal: Despite its simplicity, the elegant flavors and beautiful presentation make it perfect for date nights or entertaining guests.
• Delicate, Rich Flavors: The flaky salmon, creamy sauce, and bright lemon zest create a wonderfully balanced and satisfying taste experience.
• Highly Versatile: You can easily adapt this salmon pasta recipe with different pasta shapes or by adding your favorite vegetables.
• Family Favorite: This dish consistently earns rave reviews from everyone who tries it, becoming a staple in many households.

Ingredients

To make this delightful salmon pasta recipe, gather these fresh ingredients. We’re keeping things simple, so you can focus on flavor without a long shopping list!

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 salmon fillets (about 3/4 pound (1 large fillet is also fine))
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided, plus more for pasta water)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (divided)
• 12 ounces linguine
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 box baby spinach (5 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons capers
• Lemon wedges (for garnish (optional))

Notes & Substitutions

Salmon: Choose fresh, skin-on fillets for the best flavor and easier handling during roasting. Varieties like Atlantic or Sockeye salmon both work wonderfully in this dish.

Pasta: Linguine is fantastic, but fettuccine, spaghetti, or even shorter pasta like penne or fusilli are excellent alternatives.

Butter: We recommend unsalted butter so you can control the salt content. If you use salted butter, adjust the added kosher salt accordingly.

Garlic: Feel free to adjust the amount of minced garlic to suit your personal preference. More garlic adds a bolder flavor!

Heavy Cream: For the creamiest, most luxurious sauce, use heavy cream (also called heavy whipping cream). Lighter creams may curdle when heated, especially with the addition of wine. The high fat content of heavy cream helps create a stable, smooth sauce without curdling. Learn more about why heavy cream prevents curdling.

White Wine: A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc adds wonderful depth. Keep mini bottles on hand for cooking. If you prefer to skip alcohol, substitute with an equal amount of chicken broth mixed with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Spinach: Fresh baby spinach wilts down significantly in the hot sauce, adding great color and nutrients. Fresh kale, finely chopped, is a hearty alternative.

Capers: These brined flower buds add a delightful salty, briny punch to the sauce. You can omit them if they are not to your taste.

Equipment

You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this salmon pasta recipe. Just a few kitchen essentials will do the trick!

• Oven (for roasting salmon)
• Large pot (for cooking pasta)
• Small rimmed baking pan
• Large high-sided skillet
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Grater/zester

Instructions

Creating this delicious salmon pasta recipe is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time!

1. Prep Salmon: First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and begin heating a large pot of water on the stove to boiling. Spray a small rimmed baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, on the prepared pan. Sprinkle the salmon with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the salmon is almost opaque throughout and its internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (63 C). According to USDA guidelines, this temperature ensures that salmon is safe to eat. Consult the USDA for safe minimum internal temperatures.
2. Cook Pasta: While the salmon bakes, add a large pinch of salt to your pot of boiling water. Cook the linguine according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente consistency.
3. Make Sauce: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, white wine, lemon zest, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens to a thin sauce consistency. Reduce the heat to low.
4. Combine: Add the baby spinach and capers to the skillet with the sauce. Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet on top of the spinach. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, tossing frequently, or until the spinach is just wilted and the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
5. Serve: Carefully remove the salmon from the oven. Using a spatula, gently slip it between the salmon skin and flesh to remove the skin; discard the skin. Break the cooked salmon into large, flaky chunks over the pasta in the skillet. Toss everything gently to combine some of the salmon. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the pasta, if desired. Enjoy your homemade salmon pasta recipe!

Pro Tips for the Best Salmon Pasta

• Vary Cooking Methods: On a warm day, consider cooking your salmon in an Instant Pot or grilling it instead of roasting to keep your kitchen cool.
• Boost Salmon Flavor: For an aromatic touch, tuck a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme onto the baking pan with the salmon before roasting.
• Salt Your Pasta Water: Always season your pasta water generously. This infuses the pasta with flavor from the inside out, making a huge difference in the final dish.
• Wine for Convenience: Keep small, individual-sized bottles of dry white wine on hand for cooking. They are perfect for recipes like this and reduce waste.
• Garnish Smartly: Finish your dish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat, fresh chopped parsley or dill, or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This salmon pasta recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for delightful pairings and simple adjustments.

What to Serve with Salmon Pasta

Complement this rich pasta with light and fresh side dishes. Balsamic Green Beans or simple roasted asparagus spears make excellent partners. A crisp green salad dressed with a bright vinaigrette, perhaps a citrus dressing, will cut through the richness beautifully. And for a classic touch, don’t forget some warm, crusty Garlic Bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce!

Storage & Reheating

This creamy salmon pasta dish is truly best enjoyed fresh, when the salmon is flaky and the sauce is at its peak. We generally advise against freezing this recipe, as both the seafood and the cream sauce can change texture upon thawing and reheating. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For reheating, gently warm the pasta in the microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally, until just heated through. Overheating can cause the sauce to separate. If cooking for one or two, consider halving the recipe to ensure the freshest experience.

Recipe Variations

Get creative with your salmon pasta!

• Explore other popular creamy salmon pasta recipes like a rich Salmon Alfredo or a vibrant Pesto Salmon Pasta for different flavor profiles.
• Spice things up with a Cajun Salmon Pasta by adding a dash of Cajun seasoning to your salmon and sauce.
• Not a fan of salmon, or just want to try something new? This recipe works wonderfully with other proteins. Substitute the salmon with perfectly seared shrimp, tender scallops, or even shredded rotisserie chicken for a completely different meal.

Nutrition Information

Please note that the following nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients and serving size provided for this salmon pasta recipe. Actual values may vary depending on specific brands, preparation methods, and ingredient choices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use frozen salmon? Yes, you can use frozen salmon. Just be sure to thaw it thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight before cooking to ensure even baking.
• What kind of pasta works best? Long, flat pasta shapes like linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti are excellent as they cling well to the creamy sauce. Penne or fusilli are also good options if you prefer a shorter pasta.
• How do I prevent the cream sauce from curdling? The key is to use heavy cream and keep the heat at a gentle simmer, never a rolling boil, once the cream is added. Tempering the cream by adding a little hot liquid before combining can also help.
• Can I add other vegetables? Absolutely! Broccoli florets, halved cherry tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms would all be delicious additions. Sauté them with the garlic before adding the cream.

Conclusion

This creamy salmon pasta recipe truly delivers on its promise: it’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. With its rich sauce, flaky salmon, and fresh vibrant spinach, you’ve now mastered a dish that’s both comforting and elegant. Don’t hesitate to make this a staple in your meal rotation. We can’t wait for you to try it! Share your creations and let us know what you think by leaving a review.