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Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe: Easy Restaurant-Quality Dinner in 30 Minutes

This creamy salmon pasta is a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. The rich garlicky cream sauce coats tender pasta and perfectly cooked salmon, making it perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz salmon fillets, skin removed
  • 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine work best)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and flake into chunks.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  4. Add cooked pasta to the cream sauce along with 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat. Gently fold in the flaked salmon. Stir in parsley, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Notes

Don't overcook the salmon, use pasta water for silky sauce, fresh herbs add brightness. Can substitute frozen salmon after thorough thawing.