Description
Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta is a delightful Italian-inspired main course featuring tender salmon fillets cooked to golden perfection and tossed with fettuccine in a rich, garlicky butter sauce enriched with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. This flavorful seafood pasta is quick to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine
Salmon
- 2 salmon fillets (skin removed, about 6 oz each)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining and set the cooked pasta aside.
- Prepare the Salmon: Season the salmon fillets generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the salmon fillets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the salmon is cooked through and has a golden crust. Remove the salmon from the skillet and gently flake the fillets into large chunks. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned. Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream. Let the cream simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce is melted, smooth, and creamy. Incorporate the lemon juice and add a splash of the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if the sauce is too thick.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce and Salmon: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to evenly coat the noodles with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Gently fold in the flaked salmon pieces, taking care not to break them up too much. Cook for an additional minute to heat everything through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve the pasta hot with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- For a lighter variation, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce fat content.
- This recipe is versatile and can be made with smoked salmon for a smoky flavor twist.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency and help it adhere better to the pasta.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit if you prefer a milder sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
