Description
A rich and flavorful Creamy Salmon Pesto Pasta recipe featuring perfectly seared salmon chunks tossed in a luscious pesto cream sauce, combined with al dente penne pasta. This dish balances the savory salmon with bright lemon and aromatic pesto, making a comforting yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta (or your preferred pasta)
Salmon
- 1 pound fresh salmon (skinless or with skin)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Flour, for dredging (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- ⅓ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
- ⅓ cup pesto (homemade or jarred)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Optional
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare and cook the salmon: Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Season all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Lightly dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess. Heat olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the salmon and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Carefully pour out any excess fat from the skillet, leaving the flavorful browned bits. Add the chicken broth or dry white wine to the pan, scraping the bottom to deglaze. Let this simmer for about 30 seconds. Stir in the pesto, followed by the heavy cream and lemon juice. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 1 minute, letting it thicken slightly.
- Combine salmon and sauce: Return the salmon to the pan, breaking it into bite-sized chunks with a spoon. Simmer in the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, until the salmon is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Toss with pasta: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce and salmon. Toss gently to combine everything evenly, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the creamy pesto sauce. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with dry white wine for a slightly different flavor in the sauce.
- Use skinless salmon for easier eating, or keep the skin on for extra crispiness when searing.
- Fresh homemade pesto will brighten the dish more than jarred, but either works well.
- To make the dish dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit butter, or use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- For best results, avoid overcooking the salmon during searing to keep it moist and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: salmon pasta, creamy pesto pasta, salmon pesto recipe, easy dinner, Italian pasta, creamy salmon, penne pasta with salmon, weeknight dinner
