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Three bowls filled with creamy salmon pasta arranged on a white surface.
5 from 1 vote

Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe

This simple, yet impressive Salmon Pasta Recipe is made with Cajun-spiced pan-seared salmon in a rich garlic cream sauce. It's the perfect dish for all occasions!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 1108kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds salmon - cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil - divided
  • 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 10 ounces fettuccini noodles
  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • 2 shallots - diced
  • 3 cloves garlic - minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt - plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon pepper - plus more to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese - freshly shredded
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese - freshly grated

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, toss 2 pounds of salmon (cut into 1-inch pieces) with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until evenly coated.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. The water should be well salted (see notes).
  • Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon in a single layer and sear for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through (see notes). Transfer to a clean plate, tent with foil, and set aside.
  • Once the water is boiling, add 10 ounces of fettuccini noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2½ cups of pasta water, then drain the noodles and set aside.
  • In the same skillet that was used to cook the salmon, melt 4 tablespoons of salted butter over medium heat. Add 2 diced shallots and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until translucent.
  • Stir in 3 cloves of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  • Pour in the reserved 1½ cups of pasta water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
  • Add the cooked pasta and 1 cup of heavy cream to the skillet. Toss vigorously for 1–2 minutes to combine and emulsify the sauce.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Stir in 1 cup of freshly shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  • Add additional reserved pasta water, if needed, to thin the sauce, then season with additional salt and black pepper, to taste.
  • Return the cooked salmon pieces back to the skillet or serve the creamy pasta topped with desired amount of seared salmon pieces. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Yield: This recipe makes approximately 2 to 2½ cups of sauce, depending on how much the pasta water reduces.
Servings: This makes enough for 4 generous portions as a stand-alone meal. When served with sides, it can stretch to serve 6.
This recipe can be made with skin-on or skinless salmon. You can also use fresh or frozen salmon. If you are using frozen salmon, thaw completely and pat dry before seasoning.
How much salt should be added to pasta cooking water? Add 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of kosher salt per pound of pasta.
What is the recommended internal temperature for cooked salmon: The FDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) measured at the thickest part. For this recipe, however, I will typically cook my salmon until it registers 125–130°F (52–54°C). Do do this because I prefer to cook with leaner wild-caught salmon and this helps ensure that it maintains its moist, tender texture. Also because it will have plenty of time to rest after being removed from the pan allowing for "carryover cooking."
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Nutrition

Calories: 1108kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 68g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 312mg | Sodium: 890mg | Potassium: 1454mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2141IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 396mg | Iron: 4mg
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