Description
Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender salmon chunks and perfectly cooked pasta enveloped in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. This easy-to-make recipe combines the delicate flavors of salmon with the sharpness of Parmesan cheese and a hint of spicy red pepper flakes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or special occasion meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 salmon fillets, cut into bite-sized chunks
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or spaghetti
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then set the pasta aside.
- Cook Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the salmon chunks with salt and pepper. Cook the salmon in the skillet for about 4-5 minutes until golden on the outside and cooked through. Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine with the garlic butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, remaining salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce, tossing well to coat. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water little by little until you reach your preferred consistency.
- Combine Salmon: Gently fold the cooked salmon chunks into the pasta and cream sauce mixture, taking care not to break up the salmon too much.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the lemon juice over the pasta and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine when simmering the cream sauce.
- If preferred, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Be careful not to overcook the salmon, as it can become dry. Bite-sized chunks should be cooked just until opaque.
- Reserve pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and helps it cling to the pasta beautifully.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
