Creamy Salmon Pasta
Last updated on January 6th, 2026
Salmon is one of those things that we don’t get too often, so when we do, we make sure to get a big, beautiful fillet! It’s gotta be fresh! This Creamy Salmon Pasta was so flavorful! It was creamy and bursting with citrus! The huge salmon chunks with the cavatappi pasta – pure bliss. My husband said he felt like he was in a restaurant, and I don’t think he was just saying that! This felt upscale! But don’t worry – it was super affordable, didn’t take too long to make, and it was a meal that the whole family could enjoy!
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Did you know?
Wild salmon are naturally pink, but farmed salmon aren’t! Wild salmon are pink because they eat shrimp and krill – which are little crustaceans that are basically like shrimp! Farmed salmon would be gray in color without the added carotenoids! That’s pretty wild! They are also very adventurous fish! They can literally jump up to 12 feet over waterfalls during migration!
Salmon are also incredibly good for you! They’re one of the highest sources of omega-3s!
What do I need to make Creamy Salmon Pasta?
Salmon
Cavatappi
Garlic
Spinach
Heavy Cream
White Wine Vinegar
Parmesan
Reserved Pasta Water
Diced Tomato
Butter
Olive Oil
Salt
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Oregano
Cayenne
Lemon
For serving:
Parsley
Parmesan
Lemon Wedges
How do I make it?
To make the salmon and pasta:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Let salmon sit at room temperature for a little while during the prep. Boil some water, and cook cavatappi to package instructions, reserving some starchy pasta water. When it’s done, drain and set aside.
Next, spread some oil in a glass baking dish. Place salmon skin side down and season. Use your hands to work the seasonings and oil in. Bake until salmon reaches 145F!
To make the creamy salmon pasta:
In a large skillet, melt butter on medium. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Next, stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, white wine vinegar, parmesan, and the rest of the spices. Stir until cheese melts, then simmer for a few minutes more.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss. If it’s too thick, slowly pour in the pasta water, stirring constantly until you get to a desired consistency. Add diced tomato and spinach, stir. Cover and cook on low, until spinach has wilted. Remove from heat.
To serve:
Stir in lemon juice, then cut salmon fillet into chunks and place them all over the pasta! Serve Creamy Salmon Pasta with fresh parmesan, parsley, and lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy!
Looking for more fancy-ish seafood recipes? Check these out!
Looking for more creamy pastas?
Creamy Salmon Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fillet
- 1 lb cavatappi
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 8 oz spinach
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ½ cup parmesan freshly shredded
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- 3 tbsp diced tomato
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp salt divided
- ¾ tsp garlic powder divided
- ½ tsp black pepper divided
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- juice and zest from one lemon
For serving:
- parsley
- parmesan
- lemon wedges
Instructions
To make the salmon and pasta:
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Let salmon fillet sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Fill a large pot with water, bring to a boil, and cook pasta to package instructions. Make sure to reserve 1/4 cup starchy pasta water!
- In a baking dish, spread olive oil evenly and place salmon skin side down. Season salmon with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Using your hands, gently work the seasonings and oil into the flesh of the salmon. Bake 15 minutes, until 145℉.
To make the creamy salmon pasta:
- In a large skillet, melt butter on medium.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute. Keep stirring so your garlic doesn't burn!
- Next add in heavy cream, lemon zest, white wine vinegar, parmesan, and the rest of the seasonings. Stir until cheese melts and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. If you feel like it's too thick, slowly pour in the pasta water, stirring constantly until you get the consistency you desire.
- Add in diced tomato and spinach, stir. Cover and cook for 2 minutes on low, until spinach has wilted. Remove from heat.
To serve:
- Stir in fresh lemon juice. Cut salmon fillet into large chunks and place them all over the pasta!
- Serve Creamy Salmon Pasta with fresh parmesan, parsley, and lemon wedges if desired!
Nutrition
Please be aware that nutritional values are approximate and intended as a helpful guide
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Looks delicious! My parents enjoy salmon so will make this next time they visit!
Thank you! I hope they love it!
Beautiful dish! I love salmon and this creamy pasta is full of flavor!
So glad you loved it! Thank you!
Looks so delicious, I can’t wait to try this!
Thank you! I hope you like it!🙂
Looks delicious 😁