Spinach Salmon Pasta Recipe
A delicious and creamy Spinach Salmon Pasta combining perfectly seared salmon fillets with tender pasta and a rich garlic cream sauce loaded with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. This easy one-pan recipe offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon and fragrant herbs for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon:
- 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- Extra grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley or basil (chopped)
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set the pasta aside.
- Cook the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until fully cooked and flaky. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Cream Sauce: In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Add grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Spinach and Pasta: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add Salmon and Finish the Dish: Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and gently fold it into the pasta. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top, along with fresh parsley or basil. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Use fresh spinach for best flavor and texture; frozen spinach will add extra moisture.
- Pat salmon dry before seasoning to get a nice sear.
- Feel free to swap herbs for your favorite fresh ones like thyme or oregano.
- If you prefer more heat, increase red pepper flakes to taste.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be reheated gently on stovetop with a splash of cream or milk.
Keywords: Spinach Salmon Pasta, creamy salmon pasta, garlic cream sauce pasta, salmon dinner, easy pasta recipe, healthy salmon pasta
Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/spinach-salmon-pasta-recipe/
