🧄🐟 Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta 🍋🍝
Rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta is a deliciously indulgent dish that combines tender salmon with a velvety, garlic butter sauce. Perfectly seared salmon fillets are paired with silky fettuccine pasta in a decadent sauce infused with garlic, butter, and a fresh zing of lemon. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish delivers easy elegance in every bite!
The garlic butter sauce is simple but packed with flavor, and the salmon chunks add a touch of sophistication, making it a meal that feels like a treat but is surprisingly easy to prepare. The zing from lemon and a sprinkle of fresh herbs bring brightness to balance out the richness of the sauce. This dish is comforting, yet light enough for a weeknight dinner, and sure to become a new favorite in your rotation.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4):
For the Pasta:
8 oz fettuccine pasta (about ½ box) 🍝
Salt, for pasta water 🧂
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
2 tbsp unsalted butter 🧈
4 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 cup heavy cream 🥛
½ cup chicken broth 🍗
½ tsp lemon zest 🍋
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 🍋
1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra tang) 🌿
Salt and black pepper, to taste 🧂🖤
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
For the Salmon:
2 salmon fillets (6 oz each), cut into chunks 🐟
1 tbsp olive oil 🛢️
Salt and black pepper, to taste 🧂🖤
📝 Instructions:
1. Cook the Fettuccine Pasta:
Boil the water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
Cook the pasta: Add the fettuccine pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Drain and set aside: Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water for later use (this helps to thicken the sauce) and drain the rest. Set the pasta aside.
2. Prepare the Salmon:
Season the salmon: While the pasta is cooking, season the salmon fillets with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Cook the salmon: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon chunks to the pan in a single layer. Sear the salmon for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (the salmon should flake easily with a fork). Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet (don’t clean it out—keep the salmon bits for extra flavor!), melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the cream and broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly.
Flavor the sauce: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Adjust the consistency: If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
4. Combine the Pasta and Salmon:
Add the pasta: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, add the drained fettuccine pasta to the skillet, tossing it to coat in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to help the sauce adhere.
Combine with salmon: Gently add the seared salmon chunks back into the skillet with the pasta. Toss carefully to combine, being sure not to break up the salmon too much.
Garnish and serve: Once everything is well coated, sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately.
🌟 Pro Tips:
For crispy salmon: If you want an extra crispy salmon, cook the salmon pieces skin-side down in a hot pan until crispy, then flip and finish cooking through. If you prefer to keep it simple, searing on both sides works just as well.
Make it spicier: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for an extra kick of heat.
Add more vegetables: To make the dish more hearty, consider adding sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or asparagus to the pasta for added flavor and nutrition.
Use other pasta: While fettuccine works wonderfully, you can substitute it with other pasta shapes like penne, linguine, or rigatoni depending on your preference.
Make it lighter: For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk. You can also use skinless salmon fillets to reduce the fat content.
🍴 Nutritional Information (per serving, 1/4 of the recipe):
Calories: Approx. 570 kcal
Carbs: Approx. 45g
Protein: Approx. 30g
Fat: Approx. 30g
Fiber: Approx. 3g
🌈 Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta:
Comforting yet elegant: The creamy garlic butter sauce makes this dish rich and comforting, while the salmon elevates it to something special.
Easy to make: Despite its elegant flavors, this dish is surprisingly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Balanced flavors: The creamy butter sauce, the richness of the salmon, and the fresh zing of lemon create a perfectly balanced, flavor-packed dish.
Perfect for any occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this pasta dish will impress anyone you serve it to.
Customizable: You can tweak the ingredients to your liking, whether you want a richer sauce or a more pronounced lemon flavor.
This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta is a go-to recipe for an easy yet indulgent dinner. The combination of seared salmon, creamy pasta, and garlic butter sauce is simply irresistible, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. Enjoy the creamy, zesty goodness with your loved ones tonight! 🍝🍋