Go Back
garlic-butter-salmon-pasta_feature

Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta: One-Pan Restaurant-Style Dinner

This garlic butter salmon pasta is a restaurant-quality seafood dish that's ready in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. It combines tender salmon fillets with a rich buttery garlic sauce that perfectly coats every strand of pasta, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz salmon fillets (skinless)
  • 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon (juice and zest)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  4. Add lemon juice, zest, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
  5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat pasta in the garlic butter sauce.
  6. Flake the cooked salmon into bite-sized pieces and gently mix into the pasta.
  7. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Add more pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
  8. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and lemon wedges.

Notes

Use fresh salmon for best texture, don't overcook garlic, reserve pasta water for emulsified sauce, season progressively