Go Back
–+ servings
salmon pesto pasta (with penne)
Print Recipe
4.92 from 56 votes

Salmon Pesto Pasta

This salmon pesto pasta recipe comes together fast and makes an elegant meal that's great for a quick weeknight dinner. You can either use jarred or homemade pesto!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: salmon pesto pasta
Servings: 4
Author: Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta
  • 1 pound fresh salmon
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Flour for dredging
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
  • 1/3 cup pesto (click for my recipe or use your fav jarred variety)
  • 1/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice see note
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional

Instructions

  • Boil a salted pot of water for your pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions.
  • Sprinkle the salmon with the garlic powder and some salt & pepper. Coat it in flour on all sides.
  • In a skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Cook the salmon for about 3 minutes/side until lightly golden.
  • Take the pan off the heat. Remove the salmon to a plate and set aside. Pour the fat out of the skillet, but leave the nice browned bits that are stuck on the bottom of the pan (don't wipe the pan out).
  • Add the chicken broth and pesto and return the pan to the burner. Cook for about 30 seconds while scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add in the cream and lemon juice and let the sauce bubble for about a minute. Add the salmon back in and break it into pieces with your spoon. Reduce the heat and let it gently cook for another 3-5 minutes or so until the salmon is cooked through and the sauce thickens up a bit more.
  • Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • I don't recommend subbing the cream for milk or half-and-half because the sauce won't be the same, and they are likely to curdle. You can leave it out if you need to.
  • Some jarred pestos already have lemon in it, so if yours is particularly lemony, you may want to skip it.
  • If you have skin-on salmon and don't want to eat it, you can easily peel it off after you transfer it to a plate (step 4).

Nutrition

Calories: 567kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 709mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 768IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg