Description
A quick and flavorful Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta recipe that combines tender salmon pieces with a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 4 ounces uncooked pasta
Salmon
- 1/2 pound fresh salmon
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Flour, for dredging
Sauce & Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a salted pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions. While the pasta cooks, begin preparing the sauce.
- Prepare Salmon: Season the salmon generously with salt and pepper. Lightly coat it with flour to help achieve a slight crust when cooking.
- Cook Salmon: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the salmon and cook for about 2 minutes per side until golden. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside. If your salmon has skin you prefer not to eat, now is a good time to peel it off.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add the chicken broth, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Reduce heat to medium and let the sauce simmer for about one minute to infuse the flavors.
- Break Up Salmon: Return the salmon to the skillet and gently break it apart into bite-sized pieces using your spoon. Continue cooking for a few more minutes until the salmon is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Serve: Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet with the salmon sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly; add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Using a light dusting of flour on the salmon helps create a slight crust and thickens the sauce slightly.
- Chicken broth can be substituted with vegetable broth to keep the dish pescatarian.
- Reserve a little pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- You can omit the Parmesan and still have a delicious dairy-free option if desired.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
