My creamy smoked salmon pasta is a luxurious and indulgent seafood dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy! The smoky and savory salmon flavor pairs amazingly with the rich, creamy pasta sauce. Not to mention, it's a quick 15-minute recipe that can be whipped up in a flash!
Pair it with a Caesar salad, sauteed green beans, or broccolini. Check out my post on what to serve with salmon for more ideas!
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This delicious Italian-inspired pasta dish is a household favorite when craving a comforting seafood dinner!
Preparing only takes about 15 minutes, so it is perfect for busy weeknights!
As if it couldn't get any better, this recipe is beginner-friendly and easy to make! Don't worry; the flavor is still impressive enough to serve to your guests, too!
Salmon is one of my favorite protein options for when I want a break from typical beef or chicken. Take a look at all of these delicious salmon recipes for more ideas!
🥘 Ingredients
Grab some salmon and your favorite type of pasta! Although many of these ingredients are pantry staples, you should be able to find anything you need at your local grocery store!
- Fettuccine - 12 ounces of fettuccine (or your favorite variety of pasta).
- Butter - 2 tablespoons of butter (or try my butter substitute).
- Shallots - 2 thinly sliced shallots (or try my shallots substitute).
- Garlic - 1 teaspoon of minced garlic (or 1 clove).
- Heavy Cream - 2 cups of heavy cream (or try my heavy cream substitute).
- Salt and Pepper - ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- Paprika - ¼ teaspoon of paprika (or try my paprika substitute).
- Salmon - 5-10 ounces of smoked salmon (cut into chunks). You can find smoked salmon at the seafood counter.
- Parmesan Cheese - ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese (grated).
- Dried Dill - 1 pinch of dried dill (or you can use 1 tablespoon of fresh dill or parsley for garnish).
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
This amazing dinner does not require anything special to create it! All you will need to get started is a pan to boil your fettuccine and a large skillet for your creamy homemade sauce!
This pasta recipe yields approximately 4 - 6 servings.
- Prepare the pasta. Follow the directions on your 12-ounce box of fettuccine and cook it for 1-2 minutes less than al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles and rinse them under cool water to stop them from cooking.
- Saute. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the 2 shallots and 1 teaspoon of garlic, and then saute until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
- Bring to a boil. Next, pour 2 cups of heavy cream into the skillet and season it with ¼ teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and paprika. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil.
- Stir in pasta and cook. Once the cream is boiling, return the pasta to the skillet and let it cook. Stir occasionally (every 2-3 minutes) until the majority of the liquid has been soaked up by the pasta. *If your sauce is too thick, add small amounts of the pasta water to thin it out as needed.
- Add salmon. Toss in 5-10 ounces of smoked salmon and remove it from the heat. Add ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with 1 pinch of dried dill.
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Choosing the Right Pasta: While fettuccini is a popular choice, you have the flexibility to use any long noodle variety. Linguini, tagliatelle, or spaghetti are all excellent alternatives.
- Using Freshly Grated Parmesan: Opt for freshly grated Parmesan cheese over pre-packaged varieties. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and evenly, enhancing the creaminess and taste of your pasta dish.
- Perfect Pasta Cooking Technique: To achieve perfectly cooked pasta, especially when it will continue cooking in the sauce, boil it for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. This approach prevents overcooking and ensures the pasta remains al dente, even after being combined with the sauce.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Allow any leftovers to cool completely before placing them into a sealed container and storing them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Small portions can be reheated using the microwave. However, if you are reheating a large amount of pasta, place it into a baking dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Then, heat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
I do not recommend freezing this dish, as the creamy sauce may separate when thawed. This is just one of those recipes that tastes the best fresh!
Yes, if you would like! I recommend sauteing some spinach or cherry tomatoes and then tossing them into the pasta just before serving.
Yes, of course! Try adding some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce for extra spice! Start with a small amount, taste, and then add more as needed until you reach your desired level of heat.
😊 More Easy Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Seafood Pasta - Tender pasta that is combined with a mixture of seafood and a creamy sauce!
- Creamy Prawn Pasta - Tender prawns and pasta coated in a rich, comforting sauce!
- Cream Cheese Pasta - A garlicky, cheesy pasta that is perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta - An easy meal that combines an amazing lemon garlic sauce and perfectly cooked, tender shrimp!
- Cajun Sausage Pasta - The best one-pot pasta with andouille sausage and a creamy, rich homemade sauce!
- Pasta Alla Norma - A flavorful Sicilian dish made with tender eggplant, sweet tomatoes, and ricotta cheese that everyone will enjoy!
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📖 Recipe Card
Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine (or your preferred pasta)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 shallots (thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 5-10 oz smoked salmon (cut into chunks)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 pinch dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley for garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Follow the directions on your box of 12 oz fettuccine and cook it 1-2 minutes shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles and rinse them under cool water to stop them from cooking.
- Melt 2 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the 2 shallots and1 teaspoon garlic and saute until fragrant (about 2 minutes),
- Pour 2 cups heavy cream into the skillet and season it with ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper and ¼ teaspoon paprika. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Once the cream is boiling, return the pasta to the skillet and let it cook. Stir occasionally (every 2-3 minutes) until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the pasta. *If your sauce is too thick, add small amounts of the reserved pasta water to thin it out as needed
- Toss in 5-10 oz smoked salmon and remove from heat. Sprinkle ¼ cup Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with 1 pinch dried dill if desired.
Notes
- You can use any long noodle variety to make this recipe. Linguini, tagliatelle, or spaghetti would all make fine alternatives to fettuccini.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will melt significantly better than the pre-packaged stuff. This is one of those recipes where it pays off to grate your own cheese!
- The pasta is going to cook to perfection in the sauce, so it's best to stop boiling it 1-2 minutes before the recommended time on the package.
- To store: Let the leftovers cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat: For large quantities, add the pasta to a baking dish and cover it with foil. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave.
Gena says
Love this recipe! It’s super easy and delicious. I’ve made this a few times adding veggies like spinach , arugula or peas. Thanks so much !!
Anonymous says
Omg! Delicious! Easy! Looks like a restaurant chef made it!
Tracey says
So easy and delicious! I added peas at the end, otherwise made it as written.
Corinne says
Excellent! Easy. Delicious!