Creamy Salmon Pasta
This Creamy Salmon Pasta is a quick and comforting meal that feels fancy without the fuss. Tender, baked salmon is combined with a garlic-parmesan cream sauce and tossed with pasta for a dish that’s rich, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes!
You’ll also enjoy this Queso Mac and Cheese, Ground Turkey with Spaghetti, and Baked Parmesan Crusted Cod!
If you’ve ever craved a homemade dinner that feels a little fancy but doesn’t take forever to make, this creamy salmon pasta recipe is your answer.
It’s perfect for those busy nights when you’re short on time but you still want something comforting and satisfying.
With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a rich, restaurant-style meal on the table in just 30 minutes. The salmon pasta is creamy, with a savory flavor that pairs so well with the seafood. It’s also easy to customize and perfect for picky eaters, too.
The creamy smoked salmon pasta has just a handful of staple ingredients. In fact, you probably have most everything on-hand for this creamy pasta.
And just in case you need some more dinner inspiration, this smoked salmon frittata is ridiculously easy and this parmesan basil shrimp and rice has hundreds of 5-star reviews.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Ready in 30 Minutes: This smoked salmon creamy pasta is ready from start to finish in no time, making it perfect for weeknights or weekends.
- Simple Ingredients: Salmon, pasta, cream, Parmesan cheese, and just a few other seasonings is all you need.
- Baked Salmon: By baking the fish, the result is a light and flaky salmon, without heavy oils or breading.
- Rich and Creamy Sauce: The creamy parmesan sauce is silky smooth and so flavorful.
- Easy to Customize: You can switch up the seasonings, sauce, and pasta to make this dish uniquely your own.
Ingredients Needed:
- Fresh salmon filets: Two 6–8-ounce filets work well, or one large piece also works. If using salmon with the skin on, be sure to discard it before adding it to the pasta.
- Olive Oil
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder give the cooked salmon a light flavor.
- Linguine: Spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair pasta will also work.
Cream Sauce:
- Chicken Broth: For a rich flavor.
- Heavy Cream: This gives the base of the sauce that rich and creamy texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated works best, though freshly shredded parmesan would also work.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Creamy Pasta with Salmon:
- Prepare: Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper and place the salmon on the pan.
- Season: Brush some olive oil over each filet and then season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Bake: Cook the salmon for 20 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145F.
- Cook the Pasta: While the salmon is in the oven, cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. If needed, toss with a touch of olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In a large skillet, add the chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and seasonings and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Then, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. The cream sauce will thicken as it stands.
- Toss: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. Once the salmon is done cooking, cut into chunks and gently toss into the pasta.
- Serve: Garnish with additional parmesan cheese (if desired) and serve immediately.
How to Store:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat on the stove top or in the microwave until warmed through. If needed, add a splash of milk to the cream sauce to thin it out.
- To Freeze: While I don’t recommend freezing the baked salmon because the creamy garlic sauce may separate, you can freeze this for up to two months. When ready to serve, let it thaw completely in the refrigerator and then add a splash of milk to the cream sauce when reheating.
What to Serve with Pasta with Salmon Recipe:
To make this a meal, I would serve this with some cheesy garlic bread or a simple salad. These are a few of my favorite veggies for an easy side dish:
- Baked ranch mushrooms
- Air fryer parmesan green beans
- Garlic parmesan potatoes
- Maple cinnamon sweet potatoes
Can I Use Canned Salmon?
If you are very short on time and don’t have access to fresh salmon, canned can be used. Choose a skinless and boneless canned salmon and be sure to drain well and flake it with a fork before adding it to the cream sauce. Stir it into the hot pasta, as it does not need to be reheated on its own.
Can I Make This Dairy Free?
The short answer is maybe. While I haven’t tested this with a non-dairy alternative, coconut cream or unsweetened cashew cream may work in place of heavy whipping cream. You can also try replacing the Parmesan cheese with a dairy-free alternative, though the taste and texture will not be the same.
Variations:
- Add Veggies: Toss in spinach, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or broccoli for extra color and nutrition.
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to give the sauce a little kick.
- Use Smoked Salmon: Swap baked salmon for smoked salmon for a more intense, savory flavor.
- Try a Lemon Twist: Add fresh lemon zest and juice to brighten the creamy sauce.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make it allergy-friendly
- Make it Extra Cheesy: Stir in shredded mozzarella, cream cheese, or a handful of Italian cheese blend for extra richness.
- Add Herbs: Fresh dill, parsley, or basil can add a burst of flavor that complements the salmon.
Tips for Making the Best Creamy Pasta Recipe:
- Don’t Overcook the Salmon: Bake just until it flakes easily with a fork to keep it tender and juicy.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Freshly grated is the best for a smooth and creamy sauce, though the kind in a container or bag will also work.
- For More Flavor: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some lemon zest to the cream sauce or on top of the pasta just before serving.
- Serve Immediately: Cream sauces are best enjoyed fresh, as they can thicken or separate when reheated.
Looking for More Easy Pasta Recipes? I’ve Got You Covered!
- Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Alfredo Baked Ravioli
- Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Lemon Parmesan Pasta
- Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
- Spinach and Feta Tortellini
- Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Creamy Salmon Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 (6-8 ounce) salmon filets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 10 ounces dry linguine or spaghetti
Cream Sauce:
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, (regular paprika will also work)
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper. Place salmon onto pan.
- Brush each salmon filet with 1 tablespoon of oil olive and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145℉. Cut each filet into bite-sized chunks and set aside.
- While salmon is cooking, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Tip: Toss cooked pasta with a splash of olive oil to prevent noodles from sticking together.
- To make the cream sauce, in a large skillet, add chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine (cream sauce will thicken as it sits). Add salmon chunks to the pasta and gently toss. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese (if desired). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- If you want more flavor: add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some lemon zest to the cream sauce or over the pasta just before serving.
- See my tips and tricks for making this Creamy Salmon Pasta above the recipe box.
