Creamy Salmon Pasta (Printable)

Quick, flavorful pasta featuring silky hot-smoked salmon in a rich, creamy lemon sauce with fresh herbs and Parmesan.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried fettuccine or spaghetti
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
06 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
09 - 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
10 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
11 - 5 oz hot-smoked salmon, flaked
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or flat-leaf parsley

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot, sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and juice. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add the flaked hot-smoked salmon and half of the chopped dill or parsley. Stir gently to warm through.
05 - Toss the drained pasta into the skillet. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Sprinkle in the Parmesan and toss until the pasta is coated and the sauce is silky.
06 - Season with black pepper and adjust salt if needed. Serve immediately, topped with remaining herbs and extra lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Fast: Takes only 25 minutes from prep to table.
  • Flavorful: The combination of hot-smoked salmon, Dijon, and lemon creates a sophisticated taste profile.
  • Simple: Uses straightforward techniques and easy-to-find ingredients.
02 -
  • Pasta Water: Never skip reserving the pasta water; its starch is the secret to a silky, emulsified sauce.
  • Citrus: Use a microplane to get fine lemon zest that integrates seamlessly into the sauce.
  • Serving: Freshly ground black pepper at the end provides a necessary bite to cut through the richness of the cream.
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