Salmon with Pesto Pasta
Elevate your dinner game with this Salmon with Pesto Pasta recipe—a harmonious blend of rich, flaky salmon and creamy, herbaceous pesto tossed with al dente pasta. This quick yet elegant dish features perfectly seared salmon fillets with crispy skin, nestled atop fettuccine coated in a luscious basil pesto sauce enriched with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Bursting with vibrant flavors from fresh lemon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and garnished with aromatic basil, this recipe comes together in just 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions alike. Serve this crowd-pleasing meal with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a side salad for a restaurant-quality experience at home. Perfect for salmon lovers and pasta enthusiasts, this recipe is both indulgent and satisfying.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Salmon fillets, skin-on
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 piece Lemon
- 12 ounces Fettuccine or spaghetti pasta
- 0.5 cup Store-bought or homemade basil pesto
- 0.25 cup Heavy cream
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water. Set aside.
Season the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until the skin is crispy, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the flesh is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the remaining olive oil and the halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté the tomatoes for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the pesto and heavy cream. Mix until heated through, then gradually stir in the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to create a smooth and creamy pesto sauce.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat it evenly in the pesto sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and cook for another 2 minutes until everything is combined and warmed through.
Serve the pasta onto plates or bowls and top each serving with a seared salmon fillet. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
686 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 38.9 g | 50% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.0 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 116 mg | 39% | |
| Sodium | 843 mg | 37% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.1 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.9 g | ||
| Protein | 49.0 g | 98% | |
| Vitamin D | 14.2 mcg | 71% | |
| Calcium | 171 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 864 mg | 18% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
