Description
Fresh, flavorful, and effortlessly elegant, this Lemon Dill Salmon Pasta is the kind of dish that impresses with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 salmon fillets (approximately 6 oz each), skin removed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1½ tablespoons chopped fresh dill (or 1½ teaspoons dried dill)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra lemon wedges and fresh dill for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Cook the salmon: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper, then cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate and gently flake into chunks.
- Start the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add liquids: Pour in the cream and broth (or pasta water). Stir and simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Flavor it up: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and Parmesan to the sauce. Toss gently to coat, adding more pasta water if needed.
- Add salmon: Gently fold in the flaked salmon. Cook for another minute just to warm through.
- Serve: Plate and garnish with fresh dill and lemon wedges. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use fresh dill for best flavor—it pairs beautifully with lemon and salmon.
- Don’t overcook the salmon—cook just until it flakes easily for tender texture.
- Zest before you juice the lemon to get the most from your citrus.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed without diluting flavor.
- Add Parmesan at the end so it melts into the sauce, not clumps.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
Keywords: Lemon Dill Salmon Pasta