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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and integrate into the creamy landscape, transforming the sauce with their verdant character.
- 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.
- Tenderly fold the salmon fragments throughout the pasta, creating a harmonious marriage of flavors and textures.
- 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