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Creamy Lemon Dill Salmon Pasta

Close-up of creamy salmon pasta featuring fettuccine noodles, chunks of cooked salmon, fresh dill, and lemon zest.
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A comforting and quick pasta dish featuring flaky salmon in a bright, creamy lemon sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 1 pound salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the salmon pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the salmon and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned and mostly cooked through. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the white wine or broth and let it simmer for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, dill, and lemon zest. Stir until the sauce is smooth.
  7. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Return the cooked salmon to the skillet. Add the spinach, if using, and cook just until it wilts, about 1 minute.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce.
  10. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
  • You can use smoked salmon in this recipe; add it at the very end with the cooked pasta to prevent it from becoming tough.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in this lemon garlic salmon pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/salmon-pasta-recipe/