Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach Recipe
Deliciously creamy salmon pasta tossed in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce with fresh spinach. This easy one-pan dish features perfectly seared salmon fillets combined with tender penne pasta and a luscious blend of garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes for a flavorful, comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound salmon fillets
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pasta
- 8 oz penne
Instructions
- Sear the Salmon: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon fillets evenly with salt.
- Cook Salmon Flesh Side Down: Once the oil is hot, place the salmon fillets flesh side down (skin side up) in the skillet. Sear for about 4 minutes without moving, allowing a golden crust to form.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Reduce heat to medium. Flip the salmon carefully so the skin side is now down. Cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove Salmon: Take the salmon out of the skillet and set aside, keeping warm.
- Cook Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté briefly until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach, cooking until wilted.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir in paprika and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently to thicken for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add to the skillet with the sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Flake the cooked salmon into bite-sized pieces and gently fold into the pasta and sauce mixture. Warm through for a minute, then serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and Greek yogurt.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the richest flavor.
- To avoid overcooking, monitor the salmon closely and remove as soon as it flakes easily.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with baby kale or arugula for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference or omit entirely for a milder dish.
Keywords: salmon pasta, sun-dried tomato cream sauce, spinach pasta, creamy salmon recipe, penne with salmon, easy stovetop pasta
