Go Back
Plate of creamy garlic butter salmon pasta garnished with parsley

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta

This quick and delicious Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta is perfect for busy weeknights, combining the flavors of salmon and a rich garlic butter sauce in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 ounces pasta of your choice (linguine or fettuccine works wonders)
Salmon
  • 2 fillets salmon (fresh or thawed) Seasoned with salt and pepper
Butter and Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon for cooking salmon, 1 tablespoon for sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Provides flavor
  • 1 cup heavy cream For that dreamy creaminess
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Adds flavor and richness
  • to taste Salt and pepper For seasoning
Garnish
  • to taste Fresh parsley Optional, for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by boiling a big pot of salted water and cook your pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
Cooking
  1. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the salmon skin-side down and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until crispy outside and tender inside. Remove salmon from the skillet and let rest.
  2. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and allow it to bubble and thicken. Add the Parmesan cheese, mixing well, and season with salt and pepper. If too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
  4. Return the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat every strand. Flake the salmon into large chunks and gently fold into the pasta.
Serving
  1. Scoop the pasta onto plates and add extra Parmesan if desired. Serve and enjoy the smiles!

Notes

If your family is not a fan of salmon, swap it out for grilled chicken or shrimp. Add steamed spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for additional flavor. For thick sauce, use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency as needed.