Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta | Easy One-Pan Weeknight Dinner Recipe

When you’re craving restaurant-quality seafood pasta but want to avoid the hassle and expense of dining out, this garlic butter salmon pasta is your perfect solution. Imagine tender, flaky salmon nestled in silky pasta coated with a rich, garlic-infused butter sauce. The best part? This elegant dinner comes together in just one pan with minimal cleanup.

This dish combines wholesome salmon with pantry staples to create a meal that feels indulgent yet comes together in under 30 minutes. If you love quick seafood dinners, you’ll also enjoy our Creamy Tuscan Salmon Pasta for another easy weeknight option.

Ingredients

• 12 oz salmon fillets, skin removed
• 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, season salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add salmon and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened.
7. Return cooked pasta to the skillet along with reserved pasta water. Toss to coat in the sauce.
8. Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and gently fold into the pasta.
9. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and fresh parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
10. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Expert Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta

Salmon Selection: Choose fresh, skinless salmon fillets for easy flaking. Look for wild-caught salmon for superior flavor and texture.

Sauce Consistency: The reserved pasta water is key to creating the perfect sauce consistency. The starch helps emulsify the butter and cream for a silky texture that clings to the pasta.

Garlic Technique: Don’t burn the garlic! Cook it just until fragrant—about 1 minute—to release its flavor without turning bitter.

For another delicious one-pan dinner, try our Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta which follows similar cooking principles.

FAQ

Can I use frozen salmon? Yes! Thaw completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure proper browning.

What pasta works best? Linguine or fettuccine hold the sauce beautifully, but any long pasta will work well.

How long does this keep? Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to prevent the sauce from breaking.

Can I add vegetables? Absolutely! Spinach, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus make excellent additions. Add them when you cook the garlic.

If you’re a fan of quick pasta dinners with creamy sauces, don’t miss our Smoky Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta for another family favorite option.

Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta

This restaurant-quality garlic butter salmon pasta features tender flaky salmon in a silky pasta coated with rich garlic-infused butter sauce. The elegant dinner comes together in just one pan with minimal cleanup and takes under 30 minutes to prepare.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 550

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 12 oz salmon fillets, skin removed
• 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, season salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add salmon and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened.
7. Return cooked pasta to the skillet along with reserved pasta water. Toss to coat in the sauce.
8. Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and gently fold into the pasta.
9. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and fresh parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
10. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Notes

Choose fresh skinless salmon fillets and don’t burn the garlic—cook just until fragrant for best flavor. The reserved pasta water is key for sauce consistency.