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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.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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.