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This salmon pasta with a creamy garlic sauce is incredibly easy and will quickly become a favorite. A light and zesty cream sauce with loads of parmesan cheese, lemon, and garlic is combined with perfectly pan-seared salmon. Your friends and family will love this simple salmon pasta recipe, which only takes a few minutes to prepare. This pasta recipe is easy enough to prepare any day of the week, but it's ideal for a romantic evening meal!

You might also try the Creamy Garlic Pasta Recipe or Easy Canned Tuna Pasta.

extreme close-up of serving tongs twirling creamy salmon spaghetti

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Why you'll love it
What you'll need
How to make creamy salmon pasta
Pro tips
Substitutions and variations
Leftovers and storage
FAQs
More Pasta Recipes
Recipe
The BEST Salmon Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce

Why you'll love it

Simple Recipe with Few Ingredients: I prefer this meal with a garlic and lemon cream sauce and lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese, but you could add vegetables or other flavors.
Ready in less than 30 minutes: This dish can be ready in the time it takes to boil water and cook pasta! The salmon and sauce are prepared while the pasta cooks, and everything is assembled just before serving.
Salmon Pasta is a delectable seafood pasta dish that is incredibly creamy, flavorful from the garlic and parmesan, and perfectly acidic from the fresh lemon juice. This dish is sure to please everyone!
Ideal for a romantic evening: This recipe is ideal to cook and share with a loved one because it feeds two to four people. After all, as the saying goes, the way to someone's heart is through their stomach!
Good for you too: Salmon brings protein and omega-3s, so this cozy pasta is more nourishing than it tastes.

What you'll need

This basic dish calls for only a few ingredients. Here are the major items you'll need:

process shot of ingredient quantities in dishes for making creamy salmon pasta with a garlic sauce

Pasta - You can use any kind of pasta you like, but linguine is beautiful in this dish. I used spaghetti.
Salmon - I used salmon fillets, but if you'd rather, you can also use canned salmon. Tuna, mackerel, or any other canned fish would also taste great in this dish.
Onion powder - Used to season the salmon fillets before cooking.
Olive oil and butter - for pan searing. We'll begin constructing the rich sauce after pan-frying the salmon in butter and olive oil to give it a lovely crust.
Flour - To make the sauce thicker, use flour.
Garlic powder or garlic- The sauce gains a great deal of flavor from the minced garlic cloves.
Chicken broth - Used to deglaze the pan and build the sauce. Vegetable broth works too.
Heavy cream -Without, well, cream, salmon pasta isn't creamy! The ideal sauce texture is achieved with heavy cream; if you use something else, your sauce can curdle and not turn out correctly.
Lemon juice- I use lemon zest and juice in this recipe since they go well with the salmon.
Parmesan cheese- Use the fine side of a box grater or a microplane to ensure it is very finely grated.
Parsley- Add some freshly chopped Italian parsley, dill, chives, or any other herb you want.

How to make creamy salmon pasta

This is a summary with detailed pictures. The recipe card below contains all of the ingredients and instructions.

pan searing salmon fillet in a cast iron skillet and making the sauce for creamy salmon pasta in a skillet

Cook Pasta: Cook pasta as directed on the package in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Before draining, set aside about ½ cup of the pasta water.
Cook the salmon in the meanwhile. Heat the butter and olive oil in a non-stick skillet and season the fillets with onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook until the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145°F/62°C at the thickest point. Transfer to a platter to maintain warmth.
Prepare the cream sauce with parmesan. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the flour to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring regularly.
In the same skillet, add the garlic and stir. After that, use chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping out any flavor residue. Pour in the heavy cream.
Add the parmesan and stir until the sauce is smooth.

adding salmon back into the sauce for creamy garlic salmon pasta and then mixing in spaghetti with tongs

Return the salmon to the pan and use your spoon to break it up into small pieces. Stir it gently into the sauce and let it simmer until the sauce has thickened.
Mix and serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to blend, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening. Serve immediately with fresh parsley, extra grated parmesan, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Pro tips

Make sure to remove any pin bones from your fish before cooking! By doing this, you won't unintentionally poke yourself while chewing!
The fish should not be overcooked. When it starts to get flaky and the center stops being translucent, you'll know it's finished.
Don't set your heat too high. When I make a creamy sauce, I keep the heat low. Bring the cream to a very slow simmer, then reduce the heat and add the parmesan. Get saucy.
A creamy parmesan sauce will continue to thicken after you remove it from the heat. You want it saucier than you think on the stovetop so it doesn't dry out too much by the time you serve.
Try adding more spice or garlic. Feel free to use more garlic cloves than the recipe calls for if you truly love garlic. Another delicious method to add some spicy flavor is with a pinch of crushed red pepper.
Salt your pasta water generously. It's the only chance to season the pasta itself, and you can taste the difference in the finished dish.
Don't rinse the pasta after draining. The starch left on the noodles helps the creamy sauce cling to every strand.

Substitutions and variations

Put some citrus in there. To give the salmon fillets a delightfully zesty flavor, try adding some orange or lime zest.
Turn up the heat. Add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the cream sauce to add a little spiciness.
Use different seasonings and herbs. For the finest flavor in your creamy parmesan sauce, you can add fresh dill, fresh basil, Italian spice, or other herbs.
Add something briny. A spoonful of capers or chopped olives gives a salty contrast to the rich sauce.
Make it richer. Swirl a pat of butter into the sauce right before serving.

Leftovers and storage

To Store. Although this pasta dish is best eaten the day it is prepared, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container.
To Reheat. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat, very gently. A splash of milk, cream, or broth brings the sauce back to life.
To Freeze. For up to two months, store leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe container. Before reheating, let it defrost in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, the sauce could separate slightly, but it will still taste great.
Make-ahead salmon: Sear the salmon up to 2 days ahead, flake it, and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge until you make the sauce.

FAQs

Is Salmon Pasta Healthy?

Although the creamy sauce in this meal is high in calories, including fresh salmon in your diet is a terrific way to include nutrients and heart-healthy lipids. In moderation, enjoy!

Can I Make This Pasta With Frozen Salmon?

I always keep frozen salmon filets in my freezer. To ensure that the fillets are ready to cook, make sure to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

Why Is My Salmon Sticking To The Pan?

When cooking fish fillets, a non-stick pan works best. Pans made of cast iron or stainless steel will not function as well. Additionally, it's crucial to let the pan warm up before adding the fish.

Can I use canned salmon instead of fresh?

Yes, drained canned salmon works in a pinch. Skip the searing and fold it into the sauce at the end just to warm through. Fresh salmon still gives the best flavor and texture.

How do I keep the salmon moist and flaky in the sauce?

Don't overcook it in the pan. Take it off the heat as soon as it reaches 145°F, and only stir it into the sauce for a minute so it stays moist and flaky.

What is the best pasta shape to use for this recipe?

Long pasta is best with this creamy sauce. Linguine is my favorite, but spaghetti and fettuccine work just as well.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Yes. Use full-fat coconut cream instead of heavy cream, olive oil instead of butter, and a dairy-free Parmesan or nutritional yeast in place of the cheese.

If you tried this Salmon Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!

The BEST Salmon Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce