Description
This Creamy Salmon and Spinach Pasta is a delightful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender seared salmon, fresh spinach, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce tossed with fettuccine pasta. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe combines fresh ingredients and simple techniques for a flavor-packed meal you must try.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or pasta of your choice
Salmon and Seasoning
- 1 pound salmon fillet (skinless)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Salmon: While the pasta cooks, season the salmon fillet evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides for flavor.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place the salmon fillet in the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until the salmon is cooked through and flaky. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Incorporate Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the garlic and cook until the spinach wilts, about 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice until the sauce is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Pasta: Add the cooked fettuccine to the cream sauce in the skillet. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Flake Salmon: Flake the cooled salmon into bite-sized pieces using a fork, then gently fold the salmon pieces into the pasta and sauce mixture.
- Final Touches: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Serve Immediately: Garnish the pasta with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot straight from the skillet for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use skinless salmon fillets for easier preparation and to avoid crispy skin in this recipe.
- Be careful not to overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with baby spinach for a more delicate texture.
- For added zest, sprinkle extra lemon juice before serving.
- Parmesan cheese adds saltiness; adjust added salt accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy Salmon Pasta, Spinach Pasta, Italian Pasta Recipe, Seafood Pasta, Easy Dinner, Fettuccine with Salmon, Cream Sauce Pasta
