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    Home > Meal Type > Main Dishes

    Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta

    Updated: Jun 23rd 2021 โ€ข Published: May 1st 2019 โ€ข 18 Comments

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    4.17 from 37 votes
    a fork in the bowl of salmon pasta with text at the top
    a fork in the bowl of salmon pasta with text at the top
    two pictures of the salmon pasta with text in the middle

    This Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta is comforting and filling whilst still being fresh and light. With just a few grocery store ingredients you can create such a delicious pasta recipe.

    The beauty of this Pasta recipe comes from the natural reaction between heavy cream and lemon juice. Lemon juice naturally thickens the cream without curdling and creates an almost instant creamy lemon sauce for pasta.

    a grey bowl of spaghetti and salmon on a blue table

    There is something elegant about a seafood pasta, and this creamy lemon salmon pasta is no exception. It tastes just like something you would get in a great Italian restaurant. Yet it is so easy to make at home.

    The recipe serves 4 but it is easy to half the recipe if you want to serve this for a special date night. Or you can double the recipe if you want to serve this as a quick dinner party dish.

    Tip:
    To quickly and easily half or double my recipes, just click on the servings box in the recipe card and you can change the number of servings you require. The recipe card will automatically scale the recipe for you! How great is that!!! (Just be aware that some measurements might look a little odd)

    a silver fork in a bowl of spaghetti and salmon with a wine glass behind

    Jump Menu

    • Which salmon to use for Salmon Pasta
    • How to make a Creamy Lemon Sauce for Pasta
    • What kind of pasta to use for Salmon Pasta
    • Serving Suggestions:
    • Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta Recipe

    Which salmon to use for Salmon Pasta

    This salmon pasta recipe uses 2 salmon fillets for a 4 person serving of pasta. That makes it really economical and a great way to add fish into your diet. I buy skinless salmon fillets as it makes this dish so much easier.

    The salmon is cut into cubes and pan-fried in butter and olive oil. We like the โ€˜meatyโ€™ chunks, but if you have a large fillet you could cook it whole and lightly flake the fish.

    Once cooked the salmon is taken out of the pan and given a spritz of lemon juice and a seasoning of black pepper and salt. This really soaks into the fish and seasons it inside and out. Don't skip this step

    The beauty of cooking the salmon separately means you can get a nice crisp edge to it and also cook it to your likely. We like to cook it over high heat to get a light crust on the outside and a soft medium cooked center. But cook for longer if you like your salmon more cooked.

    two raw salmon fillets on a sheet of parchment paper

    How to make a Creamy Lemon Sauce for Pasta

    This sauce uses heavy cream and lemon juice. This is thickened using the natural reaction between heavy cream and lemon juice. When you add lemon juice to cream it will naturally thicken without curdling! Add some black pepper, lemon zest, a little salt and you have an almost instant creamy lemon sauce for pasta.

    Ideally, you want to use fresh lemon juice, it will make all the difference to the sauce. Plus the zest adds so much to the dish.

    half a lemon being juiced on a ceramic juicer with cut lemons scattered around

    What kind of pasta to use for Salmon Pasta

    For this creamy lemon salmon pasta, we like to use spaghetti or linguine, Tagliatelle or Fettuccine would be also be a great choice.
    If you prefer a smaller shape then pick a penne or rigatoni.
    Whatever shape you choose remember to generously season the pasta water and to reserve a cup of the cooking water before you drain it.

    Why reserve pasta cooking water?

    Using some of the pasta cooking water helps to make the sauce go further (so no need to add extra cream) but still keeps it thick enough to cling to the pasta. The pasta cooking was is starchy and seasoned! So it is liquid gold. Never just pour it all down the sink. Even if you are cooking someone else's pasta recipe reserve some of that water and add it to your sauce. The difference is amazing!
    You must be sick of me talking about pasta cooking water ๐Ÿ˜‰ I talk about it in pretty much EVERY pasta recipe I have here on Sprinkles and Sproutsโ€ฆ.and there are a lot!

    Just a few include:

    • My Favorite Pasta: Garlic Butter Pasta with Garlic Chicken (I think! This changes weekly!)
    • Stew's Favorite: Roasted Cauliflower Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce
    • Mr 11's Favorite: Authentic Spaghetti Bolognese
    • Mr 8's Favorite: Four Cheese Pasta
    • Perfect for when you are feeling ill: Pasta with Chicken Broth
    • Great for Entertaining: Shrimp Chorizo Pasta
    • Something a bit different: Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta
    • Also see all 40+ pasta recipes here
    close up on the spaghetti in a light grey bowl

    Serving Suggestions:

    Side: The rich salmon and the cream in this sauce means this creamy lemon salmon pasta is the perfect dish for serving with something fresh. We would suggest a parsley salad. Simply mix lettuce leaves with plenty of fresh flat leaf parsley and a simple lemon and olive oil dressing. The addition of some roasted bell peppers would add a nice level of sweetness too.
    Alternatively, some steamed asparagus makes a wonderful side.

    Wine: Lemon sauces can soften and mellow the wine, leaving your wine tasting bland and insipid. But the cream and rich salmon balance that here meaning you can pair this dish with a crisp white Sรฉmillon or a dry Riesling.
    This is also great with a sparkling wine! Prosecco is a great choice or a Californian sparkling.
    Or if you are a lover of red wine then throw out the traditions and pair this Salmon pasta with a low-tannin red like a Valpolicella or a light Zinfandel.

    a silver fork picking up creamy lemon salmon pasta from a grey bowl

    Enjoy x



    Pin this recipe for Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta. Pin it here.

    Get the Recipe

    close up on the salmon pasta in a grey bowl

    Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta Recipe

    Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    This Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta is comforting and filling whilst still being fresh and light. It is so easy to make and is perfect for families and the weeknight meal, or elegant enough for company. Adding the salmon to the pasta makes the fish go further, making this a great economical way to add fish to the family diet. Plus this pasta recipe is ready in under 25 minutes!
    4.17 from 37 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 697 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 12 oz spaghetti

    For the salmon

    • 2 salmon fillets - boned and skinned
    • ยฝ teaspoon cracked black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    For the Sauce

    • 2 lemon
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • ยผ teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoon coarsely chopped parsley

    Instructions
     

    Start by cooking the pasta

    • Bring a large pot of water to boil and then add a generous amount of salt.
    • Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente.
    • Once the pasta has cooked, reserve a cup of the cooking water and drain.

    While the pasta is cooking get on with the salmon and sauce.

      For the Salmon

      • Cut the salmon into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and black pepper.
      • Melt the butter and olive oil in a large nonstick pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
      • Add the salmon and sautรฉ for 2 minutes over high heat until a crust has formed and the salmon is almost cooked.
      • Remove the salmon to a warmed plate, squeeze over the juice of half a lemon, add the black pepper, tent it with foil and set aside.

      To make the sauce

      • Pour the heavy cream into the skillet the salmon was cooked in.
      • Add the zest of one lemon and the juice of the remain 1 ยฝ lemons.
      • Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes until thickened.
      • Season with salt.
      • Add ยผ cup of the pasta cooking water to the sauce and allow to simmer.
      • Add in the drained pasta and stir gently to coat the pasta in the sauce.
      • Add more cooking water if required.
      • Stir in the cooked salmon and serve sprinkled with parsley.
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

      Nutrition

      Calories: 697kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 725mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 940IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2.1mg

      Nutrition is per serving

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Rosie says

        March 31, 2023 at 1:00 am

        can you replace salmon with chicken?

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          March 31, 2023 at 9:42 pm

          Hi Rosie,
          You could definitely replace the salmon with chicken, just be sure to cook the chicken thoroughly.
          Cx

          Reply
      2. karen curtis says

        June 15, 2022 at 11:39 am

        Thoughts on using tinned salmon?

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          June 16, 2022 at 5:41 pm

          Hi Karen,

          I think at a push it could work, but you would have to stir it very gently to avoid it breaking up too much.
          But I think the flavours would still all work well.
          Cx

          Reply
      3. Annie says

        April 20, 2022 at 7:15 pm

        Can I use yogurt instead of cream

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          April 21, 2022 at 2:06 pm

          Hi Annie,

          I haven't tried it with yogurt so I can't be sure that it will work, but I think as long as you don't boil it it should be fine.
          It may have more of a tang than cream, so perhaps add a little less lemon juice.
          Sorry I can't say for sure.
          Cx

          Reply
      4. Carol says

        October 11, 2021 at 1:07 pm

        Approximately how many pounds of salmon in the two fillets? Fillets come in many sizes!

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          October 16, 2021 at 8:14 am

          They do.
          The recipe is pretty flexible so if your fillets are large or small it will work.
          My fillets tend to be about 5oz/140g each.
          I hope that helps
          Cx

          Reply
      5. Zoe McPhee says

        January 30, 2021 at 12:49 am

        5 stars
        This Recipe is absolutely brilliant especially it really works with Morrisons smoked salmon fillets even though I've added mixed vegetables, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic paste and 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard through in mine.

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          February 04, 2021 at 10:20 am

          Oh using slightly smoked salmon fillet sounds delicious!! I bet that worked amazingly well with the creamy pasta!!!
          So pleased you enjoyed the recipe.
          Cx

          Reply
      6. Claudia Rios Zertuche says

        December 31, 2020 at 5:23 am

        5 stars
        Thanks !!! I made a great dinner for my Family ๐Ÿ˜„

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          January 13, 2021 at 10:30 pm

          Oh I am so pleased you enjoyed it Claudia ๐Ÿ™‚
          Cx

          Reply
      7. Kfir says

        October 26, 2019 at 12:24 am

        5 stars
        It was Amazing! Thanks so much!

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          October 26, 2019 at 8:00 am

          Oh I am so pleased you enjoyed it Kfir ๐Ÿ˜€

          Reply
      8. indian restaurant robina says

        May 06, 2019 at 6:32 pm

        5 stars
        I like pasta so much, and I shall look forward to trying this soon!

        Reply
        • Claire McEwen says

          May 08, 2019 at 11:23 am

          Thank you Robina,
          It is such a great light pasta isn't it!

          Reply
        • Alex says

          December 23, 2020 at 4:28 am

          5 stars
          Dammmmmmmnnn!

          Reply
      9. Fiona Manoon says

        May 02, 2019 at 2:15 pm

        I love pasta . And I loved your recipe.
        Great work. Thanks for sharing such a brilliant recipe.
        Keep Cooking !! Keep Posting !!

        Reply

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      I'm Claire and I love food!
      I dream about food and I am happiest when I am in the kitchen cooking. Whether that is dinner for my family, snacks for drinks with my girlfriends or testing new recipes for my site, the kitchen is my happy place. Sprinkles and Sprouts is where I share it all and I am so happy you are here.

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