Delicious Creamy Salmon Pesto Pasta: A Dreamy 30-Minute Meal

Are you on the hunt for a midweek meal that feels beautifully luxurious yet is ready faster than your favourite TV show? A dish that bursts with flavour, looks incredible, and is surprisingly wholesome? If so, your search is over. Allow us to present your new culinary obsession: our utterly divine Creamy Salmon Pesto Pasta.

This is far more than just another pasta recipe; it’s a delightful blend of textures and sensations. Picture succulent, flaky salmon fillets resting in a bed of perfectly cooked pasta, all lovingly coated in a vibrant and velvety pesto cream sauce. We introduce a pop of brightness with sweet cherry tomatoes and a generous handful of spinach, beautifully tied together with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a liberal dusting of Parmesan cheese. This is a meal of restaurant-calibre that you can effortlessly create at home, and we’re confident it will be adored by everyone at your table.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• On the Table in a Jiffy: This entire meal can be prepared from start to finish in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect quick salmon dinner for those hectic evenings when you need something special without the stress.
• Bursting with Flavour: The marriage of rich salmon, fragrant basil pesto, and a smooth cream sauce delivers a taste experience that is both comforting and wonderfully refined.
• Wholesome and Well-Rounded: Salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are fantastic for heart and brain function. Paired with pasta for sustained energy and spinach for essential vitamins, it creates a perfectly balanced meal.
• Simply Sophisticated: This dish has the look and taste of something you’d find in a high-end Italian eatery. It’s ideal for a cosy dinner for two, yet impressive enough to serve to guests.
• Wonderfully Versatile: While we cherish this recipe just as it is, it also serves as an excellent canvas for your own creativity. Feel free to swap the vegetables or add a dash of chilli for a gentle kick.

Ingredients

• 300g dried pasta (tagliatelle, fettuccine, or penne work wonderfully)
• 2 boneless, skinless salmon fillets (about 150g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 100g fresh baby spinach
• 150ml double cream (or single cream for a lighter sauce)
• 4 tbsp green pesto (shop-bought or homemade)
• 50g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
• Juice of ½ a lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• A small handful of fresh basil leaves, to garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Creamy Salmon Pesto Pasta

We’ve structured this straightforward recipe into three simple stages. Follow our guide, and you’ll have a phenomenal meal ready in a flash.

1. Cooking the Pasta and Salmon

To begin, let’s get our two main elements underway. Efficient multitasking is the secret to making this dish so quickly, so we’ll cook the pasta and salmon concurrently.

1. Boil the Pasta: Set a large pot of salted water on to boil vigorously. Tip in your pasta and cook it as per the packet instructions until ‘al dente’—tender with a subtle firmness. Before draining, make sure to scoop out and reserve a mugful of the starchy cooking water. This is the key to achieving a silky, smooth sauce later on.
2. Season the Salmon: As the pasta cooks, use a paper towel to pat the salmon fillets completely dry. This step is crucial for achieving a beautifully crisp skin. Season both sides liberally with salt and pepper.
3. Pan-Sear the Salmon: Warm the olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet or frying pan over a medium-high heat. Gently lay the seasoned salmon fillets in the hot pan. Let them cook for 4–5 minutes on the first side, until beautifully golden and crisp. Flip them over and continue to cook for another 3–4 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your fillets. The fish is ready when it flakes apart easily with a fork. Once cooked, transfer the salmon to a plate and set it aside. Leave the pan as it is; those flavourful browned bits are essential!

2. Creating the Luscious Pesto Cream Sauce

Now, we’ll use the very same pan to craft our sensational sauce. This is where the real alchemy happens, as we combine a few simple ingredients to create a rich, flavour-packed coating for our pasta.

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Turn the heat down to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for around 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t brown. Tumble in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2–3 minutes, just until they begin to soften and release their natural sweetness.
2. Build the Sauce: Pour the double cream into the pan, followed by the pesto. Stir well to combine, until the pesto is smoothly integrated and the sauce turns a lovely shade of pale green. Allow it to simmer gently for a minute or two to thicken up. This forms the base of your delightful Pesto cream sauce.
3. Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the sauce a handful at a time. It may seem like a lot initially, but it will quickly wilt down. Stir continuously until all the spinach has softened into the sauce.
4. Add the Final Touches: Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and stir through the grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt beautifully, lending the sauce an extra layer of creaminess and flavour. Give it a final seasoning with salt and pepper, but taste it first, as the pesto and Parmesan contribute their own saltiness.

3. Bringing It All Together

We’ve reached the final, satisfying stage where all the components are united into one magnificent salmon pasta dish. It’s a truly wonderful moment!

1. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Tip the drained pasta straight into the skillet with your creamy sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring every piece of pasta is generously coated. If the sauce feels a little too thick, add a small splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to the perfect consistency for clinging to the pasta.
2. Flake the Salmon: Using a fork, gently break the cooked salmon into generous, chunky flakes. Add the majority of the flaked salmon to the pasta, keeping a few pieces back for garnish. Carefully fold the salmon through, being mindful not to break the flakes up too much.
3. Serve and Garnish: Share the pasta between your serving bowls. Finish by topping with the reserved salmon flakes, another sprinkle of grated Parmesan, and a few fresh basil leaves for a touch of elegance. Serve straight away and await the applause!

Tips, Tricks, and Variations

One of the greatest qualities of this recipe is its adaptability. Here are some of our preferred methods for putting a personal spin on it:

• Swap Your Veggies: If you’re not keen on spinach or tomatoes, this dish works wonderfully with other greens. Try adding steamed asparagus tips, tender-stem broccoli, or even a handful of frozen peas during the last few minutes of the pasta’s cooking time.
• Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little warmth, a pinch of red chilli flakes added with the garlic will provide a gentle heat that beautifully complements the creamy sauce.
• Go Dairy-Free: It’s simple to create a dairy-free version of this dish. Just use a plant-based cream substitute (oat or soya varieties are excellent) and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
• Homemade Pesto: If you have a moment to spare, making your own pesto will elevate this dish to a whole new level. Just blitz fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and a high-quality olive oil in a food processor.
• Other Seafood: While salmon is undoubtedly the hero here, this creamy pesto sauce is also a fantastic partner for king prawns or even shredded leftover chicken. For another delicious seafood option, you might also like this Crispy Parmesan Crusted Fish recipe.
• Pasta Alternatives: Should you fancy a different style of pasta meal, the creamy sauce base is incredibly versatile. It brings to mind other comforting dishes such as this scrumptious Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe.

This is a truly flexible and healthy seafood pasta recipe that you can easily adjust to suit your family’s preferences. For more details on the benefits of including oily fish like salmon in your diet, the NHS provides excellent guidance on nutrition.

FAQ

A Perfect Dish for Any Occasion

And there you have it—a straightforward, sophisticated, and deeply satisfying Creamy Salmon Pesto Pasta that is destined to become a staple in your meal rotation. It’s the ideal solution to the daily “what’s for dinner?” dilemma, consistently delivering on taste, convenience, and nutrition.

We firmly believe that exceptional food doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few quality ingredients and 30 minutes of your time, you can craft a meal that will make you feel like a culinary champion. So, why not give it a go this evening?

We always love seeing what you create in your kitchens! If you try this recipe, please do leave a comment below to share your experience, or tag us on social media. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 300g dried pasta (tagliatelle, fettuccine, or penne work wonderfully)
• 2 boneless, skinless salmon fillets (about 150g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 100g fresh baby spinach
• 150ml double cream (or single cream for a lighter sauce)
• 4 tbsp green pesto (shop-bought or homemade)
• 50g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
• Juice of ½ a lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• A small handful of fresh basil leaves, to garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Set a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve a mugful of the starchy pasta water.
2. While the pasta cooks, pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides liberally with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the salmon in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. The salmon should flake easily with a fork. Remove it from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
5. Pour in the double cream and pesto, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for a minute to thicken.
6. Add the fresh spinach a handful at a time, stirring continuously until it has all wilted into the sauce.
7. Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir through the grated Parmesan cheese until it has melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
9. Using a fork, gently break the cooked salmon into large flakes. Add most of the salmon to the pasta and fold it in gently.
10. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining salmon flakes, an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 778, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 44g