Salmon Pesto Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Weeknight Dinner
Introduction
If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying dinner, this Salmon Pesto Pasta is exactly what you need. Combining tender salmon, creamy pesto sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish is a delightful blend of textures and flavors. It’s simple enough for a weeknight meal yet elegant enough to impress guests. With just 30 minutes from start to finish, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in no time!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
- 1 pound fresh salmon
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Flour, for dredging
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup pesto (use homemade or your favorite jarred variety)
- 1/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, optional
Directions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Salmon
- While the pasta is cooking, season the salmon with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Lightly dredge the salmon in flour, ensuring all sides are evenly coated.
3. Cook the Salmon
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the skillet is hot, add the salmon and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until the salmon is lightly golden and seared.
- Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Drain any excess fat from the pan but leave the flavorful browned bits in the skillet.
4. Make the Sauce
- Return the skillet to the heat and add the chicken broth and pesto. Cook for about 30 seconds, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to release all the flavors.
- Add the heavy cream and lemon juice, allowing the sauce to bubble gently for about 1 minute.
5. Combine the Salmon and Sauce
- Return the salmon to the skillet and break it into bite-sized pieces with a spoon.
- Reduce the heat and let the salmon cook through in the sauce for another 3-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and the salmon is fully cooked.
6. Toss with Pasta and Serve
- Drain the cooked pasta and toss it with the sauce in the skillet until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 500 kcal per serving
Tips for Success
- Salmon: Make sure your salmon is fresh and of good quality. You can use either skinless or skin-on fillets; just remove the skin before cooking if preferred.
- Pesto: Whether you make your own or use store-bought, pesto adds a rich, herby flavor to the dish. Choose a high-quality pesto for the best results.
- Pasta: Use any pasta you like, but shapes that hold sauce well, such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle, work particularly well with this recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Salmon Pesto Pasta is a quick and delicious way to enjoy a healthy, satisfying meal. The creamy pesto sauce perfectly complements the tender salmon, while the lemon juice adds a bright, zesty kick. Whether you’re serving it for a casual family dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to be a hit. With only 30 minutes from prep to plate, it’s an ideal recipe for busy weeknights when you want something both easy and indulgent.
Salmon Pesto Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This Salmon Pesto Pasta is a perfect balance of tender, flaky salmon and a creamy pesto sauce with a touch of lemon. The pasta is coated in a rich sauce made from fresh pesto, chicken broth, and heavy cream, creating a luxurious dish that feels both indulgent and refreshing. The salmon adds a burst of flavor and pairs beautifully with the bright notes of the pesto and lemon.
Ingredients
8 ounces uncooked pasta
1 pound fresh salmon
Salt & pepper, to taste
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Flour, for dredging
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup pesto (use homemade or your favorite jarred variety)
1/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Freshly grated parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, season the salmon with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lightly dredge the salmon in flour, ensuring all sides are coated.
In a skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until lightly golden.
Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Drain any excess fat from the pan but leave the browned bits (don’t wipe out the pan).
Return the skillet to the heat and add the chicken broth and pesto. Cook for about 30 seconds, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add in the cream and lemon juice, allowing the sauce to bubble gently for about a minute.
Return the salmon to the pan and break it into pieces with a spoon. Reduce the heat and let the salmon cook through in the sauce for another 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Drain the cooked pasta and toss it with the sauce in the skillet. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 500