Ultimate Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta: Easy One-Pan Seafood Dinner

This garlic butter salmon pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. The combination of flaky salmon, rich garlic butter sauce, and al dente pasta creates a restaurant-quality meal that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly simple to make. Perfect for busy families looking for quick dinner ideas that don’t compromise on flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: While pasta cooks, season salmon cubes with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4: Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.

Step 5: Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.

Step 6: Gently fold in the cooked salmon, fresh parsley, dill, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges on the side.

Expert Tips

Perfect Salmon: Pat the salmon dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden crust. Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if necessary.

Sauce Consistency: The reserved pasta water is key for creating a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.

Herb Freshness: Use fresh herbs rather than dried for the brightest flavor. If you love garlic butter flavors, you might also enjoy our Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta or Lemon Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.

Make it Creamier: For an extra rich sauce, add an additional 1/4 cup of cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen salmon? Yes, just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it very dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture.

What other seafood works well? Shrimp or scallops would be excellent substitutions. For more seafood pasta inspiration, check out our Ultimate Creamy Tuscan Salmon Pasta Recipe.

How do I store leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or water to refresh the sauce.

Can I make this dairy-free? Use olive oil instead of butter and coconut cream instead of heavy cream, though the flavor profile will change slightly.

This garlic butter salmon pasta is part of our collection of comfort food pasta dishes that are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ultimate Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta: Easy One-Pan Seafood Dinner

This garlic butter salmon pasta is a quick and indulgent weeknight dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. Featuring flaky salmon, a rich garlic butter sauce, and al dente pasta, it’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly simple to make.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 lb salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, season salmon cubes with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
6. Gently fold in the cooked salmon, fresh parsley, dill, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Pat the salmon dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden crust. The reserved pasta water is key for creating a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta. Use fresh herbs rather than dried for the brightest flavor.