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Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe: Easy 20-Minute Weeknight Dinner

This creamy salmon pasta delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 20 minutes with tender salmon flakes swimming in a rich garlic cream sauce. The dish transforms simple ingredients into an impressive meal using a single pot for minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz salmon fillets, skin removed
  • 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring broth and 1 cup of water to a boil in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat salmon dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a separate pan over medium-high heat. Cook salmon for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Flake into large chunks.
  3. In the same pot used for pasta, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  4. Add cooked pasta back to the pot with the cream sauce. Gently fold in flaked salmon, parsley, and lemon zest. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  5. Divide among bowls, garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan, and enjoy warm.

Notes

Use skinless salmon fillets for easier preparation. Salmon continues cooking after removal from heat - aim for slightly underdone when flaking. Keep reserved pasta water handy to thin sauce if needed. Ribbon pasta like linguine or fettuccine holds cream sauces beautifully.