Lemon Garlic Salmon Pasta
Quick, bright, and creamy pasta with pan-seared salmon, lemon, garlic, and Parmesan. Ready in about 30 minutes — perfect for weeknights or casual dinner company.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti , fettuccine, or linguine
- 2 salmon fillets 6–8 oz each, skin removed if desired
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lemon zest
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth optional
- ½ cup heavy cream optional or reserved pasta water
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch red pepper flakes optional
- Fresh lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked to desired doneness. Transfer to a plate and let rest, then flake into large pieces.
- Lower heat to medium, add butter to the skillet, and melt. Add minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and broth, simmer 1–2 minutes. Add cream or a splash of reserved pasta water and stir to combine.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan and enough reserved pasta water to reach a silky consistency. Gently fold in flaked salmon. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges and extra Parmesan.
Notes
- To keep the sauce lighter, skip the cream and use reserved pasta water with an extra pat of butter.
- Add a handful of baby spinach at the end to sneak in greens without extra cooking time.
- If using frozen salmon, fully thaw before cooking for best texture.
- Leftover pasta keeps well in the fridge for 1–2 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
Calories: 640kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 34gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 520mgSugar: 3g
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