Easy Recipe for Creamy Salmon Pasta with Asparagus
This salmon pasta with cream is comforting while remaining fresh and full of vitamins and delicious ingredients. We love:
- it's light, but creamy, with a silky sauce
- naturally sweet from the baked salmon (or naturally smokey if you are using smoked salmon)
- packed with delicious spring vegetables like asparagus and peas
- with a subtle lemon flavor which balances the dish perfectly
- recipe made in just 15-minutes
- simple to make, great for a midweek meal and great for beginner cooks too
- fancy enough to serve for date night
How to make Salmon Pasta with Asparagus
This simple 15-minute recipe is so easy to make:
- Cook your favorite pasta
- In a skillet, cook the vegetables
- Add salmon and reserved pasta water
- Once the sauce comes to a boil, add the heavy cream and remove from the heat
- Add cooked pasta and parmesan cheese to the sauce
- Serve and devour
Possible Salmon Pasta substitutes and additions
This creamy Salmon Pasta is packed with tasty ingredients like asparagus, lemon peel, garlic, and peas. They bring lightness, freshness, and delicious flavor to the dish. This pasta is perfectly balanced with enough veggies to make it healthy (ish). Feel free to substitute with:
Baked Salmon - Instead of using simply baked salmon, feel free to substitute with store-bought smoked salmon or homemade gravlax. However, if you are using the latter, make sure to add it in the end, when adding the cooked pasta to the sauce.
Snap peas - In the springtime, snap peas are so delicious. Substitute frozen peas with fresh snap peas. Cooking time stays the same.
Okra - Instead of asparagus, use fresh okra. Cooking time stays the same.
Broccoli - Why wouldn't we enjoy this simple creamy pasta in autumn and winter too. Instead of asparagus, use broccoli florets or broccoli cut in bite-sized pieces. Cooking time stays the same.
How to store Salmon Pasta with Cream
It's best to devour this pasta immediately. It only takes 15 minutes to make it, so it's best to always prepare it fresh. However, if you have any leftovers, feel free to transfer them to an airtight container. Keep it chilled in the fridge until the next day. Reheat in the skillet on the stove. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding water and heavy cream to make it creamy again.
Try these delicious salmon recipes too
- Simple Oven Baked Salmon
- Salmon Wellington
- Pan-fried Salmon with Aromatic Couscous
- Pan-fried Salmon with Braised Escarole and Chickpeas
- Cured Salmon Gravlax
- Sandwich with Salmon, Egg and Hollandaise sauce
METHOD
-
cook the pasta
Cook the pasta according to instructions on the package. Don't overcook the pasta, remove it from the heat when it's cooked al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the cooking water.
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cook the vegetables
Remove the asparagus's wooden ends and cut them diagonally to get 1 - 2 cm (0.5 - 1-inch) large pieces. Place a skillet with butter and olive oil over medium heat. When the butter melts, add the asparagus and lemon peels. Stir and cook for a minute, then add the diced garlic and frozen peas. Continue to cook for 2 -3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Salmon Pasta with Asparagus
Break the baked salmon into bite-size chunks. If you are using smoked salmon for this recipe, then add it at the end along with the cooked pasta. Add baked salmon and preserved pasta water to the vegetables in the skillet. Cook for a minute or until the sauce comes to a boil, then add the heavy cream, stir to combine, and immediately remove from the heat. Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and al dente cooked pasta. Remove the lemon peels, toss to combine, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture between two plates and serve.
