Name: Creamy Garlic Salmon Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients: 2 salmon fillets (skinless, cooked and flaked); 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne); 3 tbsp butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 ½ cups heavy cream; ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp lemon juice; Salt and black pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish); Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes; Optional: ¼ cup white wine (for depth of flavor)

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Creamy Garlic Salmon Pasta is a rich, velvety dish that combines tender flaked salmon with a luscious garlic cream sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a comforting yet elegant meal I love to whip up when I want something indulgent but still fresh and full of flavor. With bold garlic notes and melt-in-your-mouth salmon, this pasta is always a dinner win.

Yummy Creamy Garlic Salmon Pasta

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s both impressive and simple. The salmon adds a hearty, flaky texture that pairs beautifully with the creamy garlic sauce, and the whole dish comes together quickly with ingredients I often already have on hand. It’s ideal for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough to serve when I want to make something special.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Salmon fillets (skinless, cooked and flaked)
Pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne work well)
Butter
Garlic, minced
Heavy cream
Grated parmesan cheese
Lemon juice
Salt and black pepper
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Optional: red pepper flakes (for a little heat), white wine (for depth of flavor)

Directions

I cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside (reserving a little pasta water).
In a large skillet, I melt butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
I pour in the heavy cream and stir, letting it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
I stir in the parmesan cheese and lemon juice, whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy. I season with salt and pepper to taste.
I gently fold in the flaked salmon and let it heat through in the sauce for a minute or two.
I add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, I add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
I serve it immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes if I want a little kick.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 4 servings. It takes roughly 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook, so I can have it ready in about 30 minutes.

Variations

Sometimes I use smoked salmon for a different flavor or swap the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version. I’ve also added spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for color and variety. For a more citrusy bite, I add extra lemon zest.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I gently warm it in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life. I avoid microwaving if I want to keep the texture smooth and the salmon tender.

FAQs

Can I use canned salmon?

Yes. I’ve used good-quality canned salmon and it works well—just make sure to drain it and remove any bones or skin.

Can I make this ahead of time?

I recommend making the pasta fresh, but I’ve cooked the salmon and made the sauce ahead, then reheated everything together just before serving.

What’s the best pasta to use?

I prefer long pasta like fettuccine or linguine, but penne or farfalle work great too. Anything that holds sauce will do.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely. Spinach, peas, or sautéed mushrooms are great additions. I just stir them in toward the end of cooking.

Is this dish gluten-free?

It can be. I just use gluten-free pasta and ensure any cheese or cream I use is certified gluten-free.

Conclusion

Creamy Garlic Salmon Pasta is the perfect blend of comforting and sophisticated. With silky sauce, flaky salmon, and rich garlic flavor in every bite, it’s a dish I come back to again and again when I want something satisfying, simple, and full of homemade goodness.