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Creamy Salmon Spinach Pasta: Restaurant-Worthy Dinner in Just 25 Minutes

This elegant pasta dish combines pan-seared salmon with fresh spinach in a luxurious garlic cream sauce, delivering restaurant-quality results in just 25 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it features tender salmon chunks tossed with creamy pasta and wilted spinach for a satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 salmon fillets (6-8 oz total), skin removed
  • 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine work best)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Prepare the Salmon: While pasta cooks, pat salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Create the Garlic Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, lemon juice, and zest. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with spinach. Toss until spinach wilts into the sauce (about 2 minutes). Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time.
  5. Final Assembly: Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and gently fold into the pasta. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh, high-quality salmon fillets for best flavor. Don't overcook salmon - cook just until opaque. Reserve pasta water for perfect sauce consistency. Use fresh spinach rather than frozen. Serve immediately for best results.