One Pot Salmon Pasta: Creamy 30-Minute Weeknight Dinner

When you need a restaurant-quality meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes, this creamy one pot salmon pasta delivers everything you want. With tender flaked salmon, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce that coats every strand, it’s the ultimate solution for busy weeknights. The best part? You’ll only have one pot to clean!

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into something truly special. Imagine flaky salmon melding with garlic, herbs, and cream in a single skillet while your pasta cooks right alongside it. The result is a comforting meal that feels indulgent but couldn’t be simpler to make.

If you love easy seafood dinners, you might also enjoy our Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta or Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe.

Ingredients

• 12 oz salmon fillets, skin removed
• 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli work well)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika. Set aside.
2. Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Cook the pasta: Add the pasta to the skillet along with vegetable broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
4. Add salmon: Place the seasoned salmon fillets on top of the pasta mixture. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
5. Combine and finish: Remove salmon from the skillet and flake it into bite-sized pieces. Return the salmon to the pasta along with Parmesan cheese and dried dill. Stir gently to combine.
6. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Expert Tips for Perfect Salmon Pasta

For the best results, use fresh salmon fillets rather than frozen. They’ll have better texture and flavor. Don’t overcook the salmon – it should be cooked through but still moist and tender.

Choose pasta shapes with ridges or curves that will hold the creamy sauce well. Penne, fusilli, and farfalle all work beautifully. If you’re looking for more easy skillet meals, try our Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta for another delicious option.

Feel free to customize this recipe! Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or peas during the last few minutes of cooking for extra vegetables. You can also substitute oregano or thyme for the dill if you prefer.

FAQ

Can I use frozen salmon? Yes, but thaw it completely first and pat it dry to prevent excess moisture in the sauce.

What type of pasta works best? Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle work best as they hold the creamy sauce well.

Can I make this ahead of time? It’s best served fresh, but leftovers will keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.

If you enjoyed this seafood pasta, you’ll love our Creamy Tuscan Salmon Pasta for another delicious variation.

One Pot Salmon Pasta: Creamy 30-Minute Weeknight Dinner

This creamy one pot salmon pasta delivers a restaurant-quality meal ready in under 30 minutes with tender flaked salmon, perfectly cooked pasta, and rich velvety sauce. The best part is only having one pot to clean, making it the ultimate solution for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 550

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 12 oz salmon fillets, skin removed
• 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli work well)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

 

Instructions

1. Prepare the salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika. Set aside.
2. Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Cook the pasta: Add the pasta to the skillet along with vegetable broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
4. Add salmon: Place the seasoned salmon fillets on top of the pasta mixture. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
5. Combine and finish: Remove salmon from the skillet and flake it into bite-sized pieces. Return the salmon to the pasta along with Parmesan cheese and dried dill. Stir gently to combine.
6. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Use fresh salmon fillets rather than frozen for better texture and flavor. Don’t overcook the salmon – it should be cooked through but still moist and tender. Choose pasta shapes with ridges or curves that hold the creamy sauce well (penne, fusilli, farfalle). Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or peas during last few minutes for extra vegetables.