Description
This creamy salmon pesto pasta is a rich, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish featuring flaky salmon, a garlicky pesto sauce, and Parmesan-infused creaminess. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 salmon fillets (skinless)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente, and reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Salmon: Season fillets with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a pan, cook salmon for 3-4 minutes per side until golden, then set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pan, sauté garlic in olive oil, then stir in pesto, heavy cream, Parmesan, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Combine Everything: Toss pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed. Flake salmon into bite-sized pieces and fold into the pasta.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for Greek yogurt or half-and-half.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta as an alternative.
- Add extra veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes for a nutritious boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired