Creamy Salmon Pasta

By Rena Awada | Updated On February 21, 2021

A creamy Salmon Pasta recipe that makes for a perfect weeknight meal. This creamy and healthy pasta recipe is easy to make, delicious, and ready in just under 30 minutes.

top view salmon pasta in an orange skillet


This Healthy Salmon Pasta recipe is made with fresh seared salmon, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, seasonings, garlic, and milk. Comes together in just 30 minutes or less and is a great meal for a busy night that the whole family can enjoy. Serve this pasta dish as a complete meal you can easily swap the salmon for another protein. Loaded with flavor and very nutritious, this salmon pasta will surely satisfy your tastebuds.

Why you will love this pasta dish

  • Quick and easy: It is so easy to make this salmon pasta and it can be ready in just 30 minutes. Hassle-free complete meal that the whole family can enjoy.
  • Healthy: This pasta recipe is Nutritious and good for you. The added spinach gives you a boost if vitamins and minerals and a good dose of omega-3 from the salmon.
  • Delicious: You will love how tasty this salmon pasta turns out. Creamy garlic goodness with each bite.
top view salmon pasta in a skillet

Ingredients you will need

short pasta of choice (gluten-free if needed), also consider using lentil pasta
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Skinless salmon fillets
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Cloves
Sun-dried tomatoes
Gluten-free flour
Skimmed Milk
Fresh Spinach

ingredients to make salmon pasta

How to make salmon pasta from scratch

  • First, Cook the pasta: according to package directions, cook pasta just until done to al-dente. Drain, drizzle with a tiny bit of oil, and season with salt and pepper; Toss well then set aside.
  • Next, season the salmon: Season the salmon with salt and Italian seasoning on both sides.
  • Cook the salmon: Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add salmon and cook for 3-5 minutes, then gently flip and cook for 3-4 minutes more, or until flaky. Set aside on a plate.
  • Make the Pasta: To the same preheated skillet add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for a minute then stir in the flour. Pour the milk little by little, stirring continuously until a smooth sauce forms.
  • Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  • Next, add cooked pasta to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes more, just until heated through. 
  • Meanwhile, flake the salmon with a fork and once the pasta is hot, stir it in and take off the heat.
  • Finally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and freshly ground pepper if desired.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!
cooked pasta tossed over creamy sauce
Cooked salmon morsels added over creamy pasta

Recipe notes and tips

  • Salmon: we prefer you to use fresh and skinless but you could use frozen. Salmon substitutes can be chicken breast or shrimp.
  • Pasta: Use any pasta of choice. For a low-carb alternative, use lentil or chickpea pasta.
  • Spinach: best to use fresh, but you may use frozen, or another option would be to use kale in place of the spinach.
  • Flour: Any flour can be used to thicken the sauce. Alternatively, you can use cornstarch.
  • Milk: we used skimmed milk, but any other milk would work.
  • Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
top view salmon and pasta in an orange skillet

frequently asked questions

What spice pair well with salmon?

Salmon is one that pairs well with many seasonings. Try Italian seasoning, dill, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, and coriander.

Is it better to bake or pan fry salmon?

One would argue that baking is better than pan-frying. Salmon can be prepared either way while keeping the dish as healthy as possible. You may need to use just a tad bit more oil to pan-sear your salmon as opposed to baking. If you do not feel like cranking up your oven you can certainly pam sear your salmon which may be quicker and easier for some.

What temperature should salmon be cooked at?

The FDA recommends that all fish be cooked at an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Use a food thermometer if you aren’t certain whether your salmon is cooked through or not to prevent over or under-cooking your salmon.

close up view of salmon pasta

Other salmon recipes

top view of orange skillet with salmon pasta

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top view salmon pasta in an orange skillet

Creamy Salmon Pasta

Creamy and Delicious pasta recipe made with almond mild, garlic, sundried tomatoes, and then tipped with seared salmon.
5 from 49 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 482kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Short Pasta of Choice or lentil pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
  • Kosher salt and ground pepper to taste
  • 1 lb skinless salmon fillets
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 tbsp gluten-free flour or any flour
  • 1 1/2 cup skimmed milk
  • 5 oz fresh spinach or frozen, strained

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions, just until done to al-dente. Drain, drizzle with a tiny bit of oil and season with salt and pepper; Toss well then set aside.
  • Season the salmon with salt and Italian seasoning on both sides.
  • Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  • Add salmon and cook for 3-5 minutes, then gently flip and cook for 3-4 minutes more, or until flaky. Set aside on a plate.
  • To the same preheated skillet add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for a minute then stir in the flour. Pour the milk little by little, stirring continuously until a smooth sauce forms.
  • Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  • Add cooked pasta to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes more, just until heated through.
  • Meanwhile, flake the salmon with a fork and once the pasta is hot, stir it in and take off the heat.
  • Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and freshly ground pepper if desired.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Serving size: one bowl, or close to 2 cups
Salmon: we prefer you to use fresh and skinless but you could use frozen. Salmon substitutes can be chicken breast or shrimp.
Pasta: Use any pasta of choice. For a low-carb alternative, use lentil or chickpea pasta.
Spinach: best to use fresh, but you may use frozen, or another option would be to use kale in place of the spinach.
Milk: we used skimmed milk, but any other milk would work.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 1252mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 3523IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy says

    5 stars
    This was amazing! I did do an unhealthy version in that I used cream but I credit the success to the simplicity and the sun dried tomatoes. Will certainly be making it again.

  2. Jan says

    Just curious if your recipe wants the dried sun-dried tomatoes or sun-dried in a jar?
    Thanks in advance for your response.

  3. julia mawson says

    I see there is 1 gram of trans fat, can you tell me which part of the ingredients this comes from so I can see if it’s possible to eliminate it. Thank you.

  4. Molly says

    5 stars
    wasn’t able to get the sauce as thick as i wanted, any tips? otherwise i loved it! used chickpea pasta

  5. Rachel Smith says

    5 stars
    I’m not too keen on sun-dried tomatoes. What’s a good alternative to use? Thanks

  6. Cathy Johnson says

    5 stars
    This was so delicious! I didnt have fresh spinach so I used mixed greens and a couple spears of asparagus.

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