Description
Creamy Pesto Salmon Pasta is a delightful dish that combines tender salmon with a rich and creamy pesto sauce, served over pasta for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound salmon fillets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream. Stir in the basil pesto and mix until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Add the cooked pasta and cherry tomatoes to the skillet, tossing to coat everything in the creamy pesto sauce.
- Flake the cooked salmon into bite-sized pieces and gently fold it into the pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Add spinach or arugula for extra greens and nutrition; simply toss them in with the pasta before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg