Salmon Pesto Pasta: A Quick and Tasty Meal
This Salmon Pesto Pasta is a luxurious yet easy dish that combines flaky salmon, al dente pasta, and a vibrant pesto sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or elegant dinners, it’s a creamy, herb-packed meal that’s as beautiful on the plate as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta penne, linguine, or spaghetti
- 2 salmon fillets about 6 oz each
- ½ cup basil pesto store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sear salmon for 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through. Flake into large pieces and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic for 1 minute. Stir in pesto and cream, mixing well. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Toss the cooked pasta in the pesto sauce. Gently fold in the salmon pieces.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
For extra flavor, use homemade pesto or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. Leftovers can be enjoyed cold as a pasta salad the next day!