Creamy Salmon Pasta (Print View)

A fast, flavorful pasta featuring silky hot-smoked salmon in a rich cream sauce with lemon and herbs, ready in 25 minutes.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried fettuccine or spaghetti
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
06 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
09 - 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
10 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
11 - 5 oz hot-smoked salmon, flaked
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or flat-leaf parsley

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot, sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and juice. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add the flaked hot-smoked salmon and half of the chopped dill or parsley. Stir gently to warm through.
05 - Toss the drained pasta into the skillet. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Sprinkle in the Parmesan and toss until the pasta is coated and the sauce is silky.
06 - Season with black pepper and adjust salt if needed. Serve immediately, topped with remaining herbs and extra lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fast and Flavorful: Goes from prep to table in only 25 minutes.
  • Rich and Silky: The combination of heavy cream and reserved pasta water creates a restaurant-quality sauce.
  • Perfectly Balanced: Lemon zest and juice cut through the richness of the salmon and cream.
02 -
  • Flake Gently: Keep the hot-smoked salmon in bite-sized pieces rather than mashing it to maintain texture.
  • Heat Control: Simmer the cream gently; boiling too vigorously can cause the sauce to become too thick or separate.
  • Allergy Awareness: This dish contains fish and dairy; check your pasta labels if you need to avoid eggs or gluten.
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