Salmon Spinach Pasta Dish: A Delicious and Nutritious Recipe
This Salmon Spinach Pasta is a delightful and nutritious dish combining tender salmon fillets with fresh spinach and a creamy Parmesan sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine. It’s a wholesome meal packed with protein, healthy fats, and vibrant flavors, ideal for a quick yet elegant dinner.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Salt
Pasta
- 8 ounces of pasta (fettuccine or linguine)
Sauce & Protein
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound fresh salmon fillet, skin removed
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Boil the pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Reserve pasta water and drain: Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Then drain the pasta and toss it with a little olive oil to keep it from sticking.
- Season salmon: Season the salmon fillet with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh lemon juice to enhance its natural flavors.
- Cook the salmon: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the salmon for 4-5 minutes on each side until it’s cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Flake salmon: Remove salmon from the skillet and let it cool slightly. Then, flake it into bite-sized pieces, keeping some chunks intact for texture.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook spinach: Add the chopped spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted, stirring occasionally.
- Make cream sauce: Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to incorporate it with the spinach and garlic.
- Add Parmesan: Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season sauce: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, then adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat all noodles evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Combine salmon and pasta: Gently fold the flaked salmon into the pasta, preserving some chunkiness to maintain texture.
- Adjust consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the salmon spinach pasta hot in bowls or on plates.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for color and freshness.
- Enjoy & store leftovers: Serve immediately and enjoy your meal! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Use fresh salmon fillet for the best flavor and texture; wild-caught is preferable if available.
- If you want a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use a cream alternative.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat; omit if sensitive to spice.
- Make sure to reserve pasta water before draining to help thin and bind the sauce if needed.
- Serve immediately after garnishing to enjoy the fresh taste and avoid soggy pasta.
- To reheat leftovers, warm gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: salmon pasta, spinach pasta, creamy pasta, healthy dinner, seafood pasta, quick dinner recipe, Italian pasta dish