Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta

Here’s a rich and flavorful Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy date night:

🧄🧈 Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta

🍝 Ingredients:

For the salmon:

• 2 salmon fillets (skinless, ~6 oz each)

• Salt & black pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp butter

For the sauce:

• 3 tbsp butter

• 5 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 small shallot, finely chopped (optional)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 1–2 tbsp lemon juice (to taste)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, thyme, and basil)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

For the pasta:

• 8 oz fettuccine or linguine (or pasta of your choice)

• Salt for pasta water

🔪 Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

   • Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

   • Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Cook the Salmon:

   • Pat salmon dry. Season with salt and pepper.

   • In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.

   • Sear salmon for about 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

   • Once cooled slightly, flake into large chunks.

3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:

   • In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low. Add 3 tbsp butter.

   • Sauté garlic (and shallots if using) for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, not browned.

   • Pour in the heavy cream, stir to combine.

   • Add Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly (~3–4 minutes).

   • If too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen.

4. Combine:

   • Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat.

   • Fold in the salmon chunks carefully to avoid breaking them too much.

   • Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

✅ Tips:

• Want more veggies? Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or peas.

• No heavy cream? Use half-and-half + a bit of cream cheese or milk + flour.

• Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes for heat.