Cozy Creamy Spinach and Salmon Pasta Delight Recipe for Dinner

Whipping up a delectable spinach and salmon pasta can revolutionize weeknight dinners with unexpected flavor combinations.

salmon brings luxurious protein that melts beautifully against tender noodles.

Mediterranean ingredients dance through each forkful, creating harmonious textures.

Nutritious green leaves weave between rich, flaky fish pieces, promising a meal that satisfies deeply.

creamy sauces blend seamlessly, coating every strand with velvety goodness.

Elegant yet simple, this dish transforms ordinary ingredients into something magical.

You’ll want to savor each carefully crafted bite that celebrates fresh, wholesome components.

Salmon Pasta With Spinach and Cream That Sings

• Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this luxurious salmon pasta in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a gourmet meal without extensive kitchen time.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with protein from salmon, iron-rich spinach, and calcium from Parmesan, this dish delivers a balanced, wholesome meal that supports overall health and energy.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Elevate your home cooking with a creamy, restaurant-style dish that impresses guests and satisfies sophisticated taste buds without requiring professional culinary skills.
• Versatile Meal Maestro: Easily adapt this recipe by swapping salmon for other proteins, adjusting seasonings, or modifying vegetables to suit dietary preferences and pantry availability.

Spinach Salmon Pasta (Creamy) Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Pasta: Soft noodles that form the base of this creamy dish, perfect for absorbing all the delicious sauce.
• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, rich protein that adds a luxurious seafood touch to the pasta.

• Butter: Creates a smooth, rich foundation for the creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a silky, luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and flavor to the sauce, enhancing overall taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings a salty, nutty flavor that completes the creamy sauce.

• Spinach: Adds a nutritious green element and fresh color to the dish.
• Garlic: Provides a aromatic and bold flavor base.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy notes that cut through the richness of the sauce.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for bringing out the natural flavors of salmon and other ingredients.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking the salmon and adding a subtle richness.

Spinach & Salmon Pasta Creamy Cooking Method

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt.

Bring the water to a rolling boil.

Drop the pasta into the bubbling water and cook until it’s perfectly tender with a slight bite.

Drain the pasta, keeping a small cup of the starchy cooking water on the side.

Step 2: Sear the Salmon

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the salmon fillets.

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet on medium heat.

Carefully place the salmon in the pan and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes on each side.

The fish should be cooked through but still juicy.

Transfer the salmon to a plate and let it cool slightly.

Break the salmon into delightful bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce Base

In the same skillet, melt butter until it’s bubbling and fragrant.

Add minced garlic and sauté until it releases its aromatic magic.

Step 4: Build the Luxurious Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth

Pour both ingredients into the skillet.

Stir gently and let the mixture simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop rich flavors for 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Enhance the Sauce

• Parmesan cheese
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

Sprinkle in the Parmesan, zest, and juice.

Whisk until the sauce becomes silky smooth and irresistibly creamy.

Step 6: Wilt the Spinach

Add the spinach to the sauce, stirring until it softens and turns a vibrant green, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Toss the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring every strand gets a luxurious coating.

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to create the perfect consistency.

Step 8: Fold in the Salmon

Gently mix the flaked salmon into the pasta, distributing the fish evenly throughout the dish.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the pasta immediately while it’s steaming hot.

Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top and add a final squeeze of lemon for an extra burst of freshness if you like.

Pasta Tips for Creamy Spinach and Salmon

• Reserve some pasta cooking water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to every noodle.
• Pat salmon dry before cooking to achieve a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Add spinach at the last moment to maintain its vibrant green color and prevent overcooking, preserving its nutritional value.
• Remove the skillet from heat when adding Parmesan to prevent separation and ensure a creamy, velvety sauce.
• Grate lemon zest directly into the sauce for an intense citrus aroma that elevates the entire dish's brightness.

Spinach Salmon Pasta Reheat Plan

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and ensure consistent temperature.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Gently stir until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
• Skip freezing this dish, as cream-based sauces and salmon tend to separate and lose texture when thawed, compromising the pasta's quality and taste.

Flavorful Complements for Salmon Pasta

• Pair Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy salmon pasta. These light, refreshing wines cut through the richness of the dish and enhance the lemony, herbal notes.
• Serve Rustic Garlic Bread: Create a crunchy side of toasted sourdough bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil. The crispy texture and garlicky flavor perfectly match the creamy pasta's smooth consistency.
• Match Fresh Citrus Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with segments of orange or grapefruit, dressed with a bright vinaigrette. The citrusy, peppery elements will balance the pasta's creamy profile and add a refreshing contrast.
• Add Crisp Green Asparagus: Roast asparagus spears with a touch of sea salt and lemon zest. These tender-crisp vegetables provide a green vegetable element that harmonizes with the salmon's delicate flavor and the pasta's creamy sauce.

Spinach and Salmon Pasta Creamy Options

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diners.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan, and replace butter with olive oil for a lactose-free version.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute salmon with roasted chickpeas or pan-seared tofu, seasoned with similar herbs and spices to maintain the protein content and flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta to reduce carbohydrate intake while keeping the creamy sauce and protein intact.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of fish instead of salmon?

Yes, you can substitute salmon with other fish like cod, halibut, or trout. Just ensure the fish is fresh and cooked to the same golden, flaky texture.

• Is this recipe suitable for those with dairy restrictions?

Not directly. The recipe contains heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. You would need to use dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream and nutritional yeast to make it lactose-free.

• How can I add more protein to this dish?

You can increase protein by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or toasted pine nuts. These additions will complement the salmon and enhance the overall nutritional value of the pasta.

• What makes this sauce creamy without being too heavy?

The combination of heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese creates a light yet rich sauce. The lemon juice and zest also help cut through the richness, keeping the sauce balanced and not too dense.

Creamy Spinach and Salmon Pasta Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Salmon dances with silky spinach in this irresistible Creamy Spinach and Salmon Pasta Delight, promising a Mediterranean-inspired culinary journey. Succulent fish and velvety sauce intertwine, delivering pure comfort that you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Seafood:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine or linguine pasta
• 2 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces or 170 grams each)
• Salt, for pasta water
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Initiate the pasta preparation by bringing a generously salted water bath to a rolling boil. Submerge the pasta and cook until it reaches a perfect al dente texture. Carefully drain the pasta, preserving a modest portion of the starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustment.
2. While the pasta transforms, orchestrate the salmon’s culinary journey. Season the fillets with a delicate sprinkle of salt and pepper. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, then gracefully introduce the salmon. Allow each side to develop a golden exterior for approximately 4-5 minutes, ensuring complete internal cooking. Carefully transfer the salmon to a resting surface and delicately fragment into rustic bite-sized morsels.
3. Repurpose the same skillet for the sauce’s foundation. Melt butter with precision, introducing minced garlic and allowing it to dance and release its aromatic essence for a brief 1-2 minute interlude.
4. Stream in heavy cream and chicken broth, whisking to create a harmonious blend. Encourage the mixture to simmer gently, thickening subtly over 3-4 minutes.
5. Elevate the sauce’s complexity by incorporating Parmesan cheese, vibrant lemon zest, and a splash of lemon juice. Continue cooking until the sauce achieves a luxurious, silky consistency.
6. Introduce fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and integrate into the creamy landscape, transforming the sauce with their verdant character.
7. Unite the cooked pasta with the velvety sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated. If the sauce appears too dense, strategically introduce reserved pasta water to achieve the ideal texture.
8. Tenderly fold the salmon fragments throughout the pasta, creating a harmonious marriage of flavors and textures.
9. Present the dish immediately, adorned with an optional sprinkle of additional Parmesan and a provocative squeeze of fresh lemon to brighten the composition.

Notes

• Choose firm, fresh salmon fillets with vibrant color and minimal fishy smell for the best flavor and texture.
• Pat salmon dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure a golden, crispy exterior when cooking.
• Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lighter, healthier alternative that still maintains creamy consistency.
• Swap salmon with grilled chicken or tofu to create vegetarian or alternative protein options for diverse dietary preferences.
• Cook salmon to medium-rare, ensuring it remains tender and doesn’t become dry or tough during preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 663
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Cholesterol: 124 mg