Italian Baked Pasta with Butternut Squash and Sausage
30 minute Tuscan Salmon Pasta
30 minute Tuscan Salmon Pasta
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Creamy Tuscan Salmon Pasta: An Easy 30-Minute Dinner
Rich, creamy, and packed with robust Italian flavors, this Tuscan salmon pasta is a restaurant-worthy meal you can have on the table in less than 30 minutes. Your family and friends will think you spent hours in the kitchen!
When I’m struggling to come up with a meal everyone will love, I turn to pasta. It’s quick, easy, versatile, and budget-friendly. And honestly, who doesn’t love pasta? Even a simple bowl tossed with olive oil, garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs can be delicious. Add fresh salmon, and you’ve got a meal worth celebrating!
Pasta is my weeknight superhero. It cooks quickly, works with so many ingredients, and can turn an ordinary dinner into something special. In this creamy Tuscan salmon pasta recipe, tender salmon is paired with pasta, garlic, butter, cream, spinach, and Parmesan to create a rich, flavorful sauce with that irresistible Italian-inspired touch.
The best part? This easy salmon pasta recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners, yet elegant enough to serve when friends come over on Saturday night. It’s one of those meals that makes you feel like a restaurant chef right in your own kitchen!
Fresh salmon can be pricey, but pairing it with pasta stretches it into a satisfying meal that can fit into your weekly dinner rotation. This recipe was inspired by my love of seafood pasta, one of those luxurious dishes I always enjoyed ordering at restaurants. I’ve simplified it for the home cook, so you can enjoy those same comforting flavors without the restaurant price tag.
Want an even easier cooking method? You can roast the salmon instead of sautéing it. I often do this when I want a more hands-off approach. For a smaller amount of fish, I use my toaster oven rather than heating up the full-size oven. It’s convenient, saves energy, and gets the job done beautifully.
Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining friends, this creamy Tuscan salmon pasta proves that a delicious, special meal doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and less time in the kitchen—that’s my kind of cooking!
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Tips for Making Tuscan Salmon Pasta
- Wine or stock? I don’t drink alcohol, but I know many recipes call for wine to add flavor. In my recipes, I like to give you the option of using wine or stock, so you can choose what works best for your lifestyle and taste. If you’d rather not cook with wine, chicken or vegetable stock makes a great substitute.
- Salt your pasta water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil before adding the pasta. I used linguine for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape or variety.
- Set up your cooking station: I find it easier to keep the pasta pot on the back burner and the sauté pan on the front burner. This makes it simple to transfer the pasta and finish it in the sauce.
- Choose the right cookware: I love this 8-quart stockpot for cooking pasta and making soups. If you’re sautéing the salmon, use a large enough sauté pan so the fish has room to cook without overcrowding.
The whole idea behind cooking and creating recipes is to experiment, make them your own, and most importantly, have fun!
If you love salmon as much as I do, try my Quick and Easy Creamy Salmon Piccata or my Air Fryer Salmon Skewer Italian Spiedini.
If you make this Tuscan salmon pasta, I’d love to hear about your experience! Leave me a comment with your questions, feedback, or even your own tips. And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see what you’re cooking. Hearing from you is my favorite part of sharing recipes!
30-Minute Tuscan Salmon Pasta
This creamy Tuscan salmon pasta is a quick, restaurant-worthy dinner made with tender salmon, pasta, garlic, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and a rich, creamy sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights but elegant enough for entertaining family and friends.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, linguine, or your favorite shape)
- 1 pound salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into bite-sized cubes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly golden but not fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth (or white wine) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the spinach, basil, parsley, and thyme. Cook until the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Return the salmon to the skillet and gently stir until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley.
Pair with warm garlic bread and a simple green salad for a quick, restaurant-style meal.
Notes
Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining. Add a splash to the sauce as needed to help the creamy sauce cling beautifully to the pasta.
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Comments (2)
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Just made the salmon pasta dish…. WONDERFUL! Only thing I changed… added more parsley… did use white wine with broth( 1/2 and 1/2)…. luv your easy recipes!
Thank you Carole, Am so happy you liked it. My recipes are always customizable.