Description
A quick and flavorful Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta combining tender salmon pieces with a garlicky, buttery sauce served over perfectly cooked pasta. This dish offers a comforting blend of citrus, savory garlic, and creamy textures, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner for two.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 4 ounces uncooked pasta
Salmon
- 1/2 pound fresh salmon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Flour, for dredging
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a salted pot of water and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Start preparing the sauce as the water boils to save time.
- Prepare Salmon: Season the salmon with salt and pepper on all sides, then lightly coat it in flour to help form a crust during cooking.
- Sear Salmon: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon and cook for 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside. If the salmon has skin you don’t want, peel it off now.
- Create Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add chicken broth, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about one minute to blend flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
- Flake Salmon and Finish Sauce: Return the salmon to the skillet and break it into bite-size pieces with a spoon. Cook for a few minutes more until the salmon is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened somewhat.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the salmon and sauce. Toss to coat evenly, adding a bit of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use a firm, fresh salmon fillet for best results.
- Adjust garlic and lemon to your preference for more or less tang and pungency.
- Adding some reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce consistency.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute salmon with sautéed mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth.
- Make sure not to overcook the salmon; it should flake easily but remain moist.
- Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor but can be omitted or substituted for a dairy-free option if desired.
