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Creamy Salmon Pasta: The Ultimate 20-Minute Weeknight Dinner Recipe

This creamy salmon pasta is a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in just 20 minutes, featuring tender salmon in a luxurious cream sauce with perfectly cooked pasta. It's an impressive dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, combining gourmet flavors with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Prepare the Salmon: 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 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and flake into large chunks.
  3. Make the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  4. Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the cream sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Gently fold in the flaked salmon, fresh dill, lemon juice, and zest.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs for garnish.

Notes

Choose quality wild-caught salmon, don't overcook the salmon, reserve pasta water for silky sauce, and use fresh herbs for best flavor. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat gently with splash of cream.