Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon Pasta (Printable Version)
Pasta tossed with creamy garlic sauce, seared salmon, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for a flavorful Italian-inspired meal.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 4 salmon fillets (150 g / 5 oz each), skinless and pin bones removed
02 - Salt, to taste
03 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Pasta
04 - 350 g (12 oz) fettuccine or linguine
→ Vegetables
05 - 100 g (3.5 oz) baby spinach
06 - 80 g (1/2 cup) sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and sliced
07 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
08 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 250 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
12 - 60 ml (1/4 cup) dry white wine (optional)
13 - 60 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
15 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
16 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
17 - Extra grated Parmesan
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the salmon fillets for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and just cooked through. Remove salmon to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
03 - Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
04 - In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the butter. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze with white wine (if using) and simmer until reduced by half.
06 - Pour in the heavy cream and add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
07 - Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Fold in spinach and cook until just wilted.
08 - Flake salmon into large chunks and return to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss gently to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
09 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Simple enough for a weeknight but impressive for guests
- Rich and creamy without feeling heavy
- Balanced with protein and veggies in every bite
- Ready in about forty minutes
- You can easily swap ingredients to suit your preference
02 -
- A complete meal with protein healthy fats and green veggies
- Great for pescatarians or anyone looking for a new twist on pasta night
- Salmon gives the sauce a subtle savory boost you simply cannot get from just cream and cheese
03 -
- Do not overcook the salmon otherwise it will turn dry and chalky keep it just barely cooked through and let it finish in the sauce
- Use high-quality Parmesan and grate it yourself for the smoothest melt and fullest flavor
- Always save some pasta water because it is the magic ingredient for getting your sauce extra glossy and not too thick