Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta Recipe

This Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta recipe combines flaky, seasoned salmon and wilted greens with a rich creamy sauce. Quick and easy, this recipe is packed with flavor and ready to be served any night of the week.

about this creamy lemon salmon pasta recipe

This creamy lemon salmon pasta recipe brings together luxurious flavors in a dish that’s surprisingly weeknight-friendly. The rich, silky sauce clings to each pasta strand while chunks of deliciously seasoned salmon add protein and depth to every bite.

What makes this recipe truly stand out is the layering of flavors. The salmon gets a flavorful spice rub before baking, while the sauce combines the sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes with the brightness of fresh lemon juice. Wilted spinach adds color and a nutritional boost, making this a complete meal in one dish.

One of the greatest strengths of this recipe is its adaptability. You can use any pasta shape you prefer, from classic fettuccine to penne. The cream sauce can be made richer or lighter depending on your preference, and the cooking process allows you to multitask easily. While the salmon bakes and the pasta boils, you’ll prepare the sauce, meaning everything comes together right when you’re ready to serve.

For busy weeknights when you still want something special or weekend dinners when you’re entertaining without stress, this creamy lemon salmon pasta hits all the right notes. It’s satisfying enough to serve on its own but also pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.

ingredients

salmon. Use skin-on salmon for this recipe. Make sure to remove any pin bones!

spices. You will need a combination of salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (the last is optional!).

lemon. Fresh lemon juice is a must! You will need 2 lemons for the recipe in total.

butter. Use unsalted butter in this recipe so it doesn’t come out too salty.

pasta. We use fettuccine, but you can use your favorite noodle like spaghetti or linguine. You can also use a short pasta like penne or farfalle.

sun-dried tomatoes. Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best flavor and texture.

flour. You will need all-purpose flour to make a roux to thicken the sauce.

broth. We like to use chicken broth (low sodium or regular), but you can also use vegetable broth if that’s what you have on hand.

heavy cream. Heavy whipping cream is the key to making the creamy, rich sauce.

cheese. Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for this recipe! When it is freshly grated, it melts better into the sauce.

greens. We prefer to use spinach for the greens in this recipe, but you can also use kale or arugula.

this recipe’s must-haves

For the pasta, you will need a large pot and colander.

To make the salmon, have a half sheet baking sheet handy for baking.

When it comes to making the sauce, we like to use a large skillet or cast iron skillet. You will also need a whisk, wooden spoon, and tongs to bring the whole recipe together.

here’s how to make this salmon pasta recipe

cook pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add your pasta of choice. Fettuccine, penne, or farfalle works wonderfully with the creamy sauce. Cook according to the package directions until it reaches that ideal al dente – still slightly firm when bitten.

After cooking, drain the pasta and immediately toss it with a light drizzle of olive oil. This prevents the pasta from sticking together while you prepare the other components. Set it aside.

prep and bake salmon

While your pasta is cooking, make the salmon spice mix by combining salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne in a small bowl.

Place salmon skin-side down on a piece of foil on a baking sheet. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the top of the fillet. Next, sprinkle your spice mixture evenly across the salmon, making sure to cover the entire surface. Top with small pads of butter.

Fold up the sides of the foil to create a boat, without covering the salmon on top. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 400˚F. You’ll know it’s done when the salmon is almost completely opaque and reaches an internal temperature between 125-135°F. The flesh should flake easily when tested with a fork, but still maintain its moisture.

make the sauce

In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring occasionally to release all those amazing aromas.

Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low, then slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream, adding a pinch of salt for seasoning. Whisk until everything is well combined and smooth.

Increase heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue to simmer until the sauce thickens, stirring frequently. This should take about 3-5 minutes.

Once thickened, reduce the heat to low and stir in fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese melts completely into the sauce.

finish the dish

Add cooked pasta to the sauce, along with fresh spinach leaves. Toss everything together and continue cooking until the spinach wilts, which should take just 1-2 minutes.

Gently flake the salmon into large chunks. Add these salmon pieces to the pasta, then toss gently to ensure everything is coated well with the creamy sauce.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

More pasta skillets to make for dinner: Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet | Pasta Napolitana | Cheesy Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake | Gochujang Noodles with Chicken

tips and tricks

season pasta water. Adding salt to the pasta water is a must! This will make your pasta taste best.

don’t overcook your pasta. Make sure that you do not overcook the pasta or it will be gummy. Cook it until it is just al dente, with a bit of bite to it in the middle. The pasta will cook to the right texture in the final minutes of cooking in the sauce.

flake big chunks of salmon. Don’t flake the salmon too finely when adding it to the pasta. As you toss the pasta with the salmon, the salmon will continue to break down into smaller pieces.

add fresh herbs! Want to add some more fresh flavor? Grab fresh basil, fresh parsley, or even fresh dill to garnish this weeknight dinner and give it a boost of flavor.

is it better to pan fry or bake salmon?

We like to bake salmon for this recipe because it’s easy and hands off! That way you can attend to the other elements of the recipe while the salmon roasts in the oven.

If you prefer to pan fry the salmon, you can certainly do that instead.

can I use different greens in this recipe?

You can use spinach, kale, or arugula in this recipe. If you use arugula, the cooking time will be shorter than the time it takes the spinach to wilt. For kale, you will need to cook the greens a little longer for it to wilt.

can I make this recipe ahead of time?

We do not recommend making this recipe ahead of time as it does not reheat well. You can make the salmon ahead of time, flake it, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make the pasta and sauce fresh!

Need more pasta recipes to try out? Check out my pasta recipes page!

what to serve with this lemon salmon pasta recipe

Since this pasta dish has salmon, pasta, and spinach all in one bowl, you don’t really need to serve it with anything on the side! However, if you want to pair it with some crusty bread (or air fryer garlic bread!) or roasted vegetables, you certainly can. Another option is an easy salad of fresh spring greens with your favorite dressing.

how to store

Store. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheat. Reheat on half power in the microwave or in a pan over medium-heat. We recommend adding a splash of cream to the bowl to help the sauce come back to life. You could also use a splash of chicken stock.

more of our favorite salmon recipes

Cozy salmon chowder is a classic recipe that is ideal for pairing with slices of crusty bread!

Baked lemon garlic salmon is an easy main dish that you can serve with all of your favorite sides.

Make rice bowls with our honey sesame ginger bites recipe! This recipe works for an easy weeknight meal or meal prep for the week.

Finally, if you make this creamy salmon pasta recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

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