Pasta Alfredo with Salmon

My scrumptious Pasta Alfredo is made with fresh salmon and a smooth Parmesan cream sauce that coats every strand of pasta beautifully. It’s incredibly delicious, comes together in just 25 minutes, and is perfect for a family weekday meal. It's excellent for making ahead and freezing.

The salmon cooks quickly and stays soft and delicate, while the sauce becomes silky and full of flavour without getting too thick. Finished with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll be asked to make again and again.

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make Pasta Alfredo with Salmon
• Recipe Tips From the Chef
• How to Store and Reheat
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Pasta Alfredo with Salmon

Why This Recipe Works?

• This Salmon Pasta with Spinach is a quick and easy recipe that takes only 25 minutes, perfect as a weekday meal as well as a date night treat!

• Same as Smoked Salmon Pate, this creamy pasta dish is perfect if you have any leftover salmon that needs to be used up.

• Lemon and herbs balance the richness without overpowering.

• The leftovers are perfect for a packed lunch the day after. You can also freeze the leftovers if you want to keep them for longer.

• You can easily customize it by substituting fresh salmon with hot-smoked salmon or any other seafood you prefer.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Salmon - I prefer using fresh salmon, but you can use frozen if that's what you have. If using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it before adding it to the sauce. Also, don't freeze the leftovers if using frozen salmon, and consume the leftovers within 24 hours.

• Butter - It adds a nutty flavor and helps to create a creamy sauce. Substitute it with olive oil for a healthier option.

• Pasta - Dried or fresh spaghetti, fettuccini, tagliatella, or linguini works great with this creamy sauce.

• Parmesan Cheese - No pasta is complete without parmesan cheese. Use a good quality block cheese and try to avoid already-grated versions. Some of the best substitutes for Parmesan are Grana Padano, Pecorino, or Manchego cheeses.

• Herbs - I use fresh dill and parsley leaves, but you can use your own favorites to balance the richness of the creamy sauce.

How to Make Pasta Alfredo with Salmon

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente. Before draining, reserve at least one cup of pasta water.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a wide pan or a wok over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Keep the heat steady so it softens without browning.

Add the salmon in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes, then gently turn the pieces. Cook for a minute only, as they will continue cooking with cream.

Lower the heat slightly and pour in the cream. Let it warm through, stirring occasionally.

Let it gently simmer for a couple of minutes, then add the Parmesan along with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and the chopped herbs.

Add a small amount of the reserved pasta water and stir. The sauce should loosen and turn glossy rather than thick. Add the drained pasta. Toss gently so the salmon stays in soft pieces. Stir in more pasta water as needed until the sauce coats everything evenly.

Finish with extra lemon juice and chopped herbs. Toss once more and serve straight away.

Recipe Tips From the Chef

• Cook your pasta in plenty of salted boiling water for the best results.

• When cooking the pasta, don't add any oil to the pasta water, as it prevents the sauce from sticking to the pasta and also delays boiling the water.

• Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother sauce.

• The cream should be full-fat for the best texture. Lower-fat versions don’t thicken in the same way and can make the sauce feel thin.

• If you have any leftover salmon fillets from Mediterranean Baked Salmon, that's the best recipe to use them up!

• If using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it before adding it to the sauce. Also, don't freeze the leftovers if using frozen salmon, and consume the leftovers within 24 hours.

How to Store and Reheat

This pasta is best served fresh, but leftovers can still be good with the right approach. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you want to keep the pasta longer, you can keep it in the freezer for up to two months. Don't freeze the leftovers if using frozen salmon, and consume the leftovers within 24 hours.

The best way to reheat a leftover pasta dish is to microwave it. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish and reheat it for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, checking and stirring it gently every 30 seconds.

Serving Suggestions

This dish works well on its own, but if you want to round it out, a simple green salad or lightly roasted vegetables pair nicely. Here are some ideas;

• Italian Cheese and Herb Bread or Bolillo - Crusty Mexican Bread Rolls complements the flavors of the pasta and are perfect for scooping up any extra sauce.

• A bowl of Rocket and Parmesan Salad or Cucumber Tomato Feta Cheese Salad provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the salmon and pasta.

• Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant and Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips are great vegetable side dishes for pairing with this delicious salmon alfredo pasta dish.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious easy and quick weekday meals why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this simple yet delicious Pasta Alfredo with Salmon as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂