How to Make Delicious Salmon Alfredo Pasta From Scratch

Alfredo pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious classic. And pairing it with salmon takes it to a whole new level of amazing flavor. If you love pasta and seafood, this salmon alfredo combo is a match made in heaven.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process of how to make homemade salmon alfredo pasta from start to finish. We’ll go over the ingredients, steps, tips and tricks to make it perfect every time Whether you’re a beginner or experienced cook, you can master this recipe!

Why Salmon Alfredo Pasta is So Good

There are several reasons this pasta dish is so mouthwateringly good

• Alfredo sauce is thick and creamy, and it coats each strand of pasta in cheesy goodness. It makes the pasta extra rich and indulgent.

• The sweet flaky salmon provides a nice contrast of texture to the soft pasta. It also adds a lovely briny flavor.

• It’s a simple one-pot meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Easy to make on a busy weeknight!.

• You get a serving of pasta, protein from the salmon, and some veggies too if you add them in. It’s a nutritious and well-balanced meal.

• Both kids and adults love this dish! It appeals to almost everyone’s palate.

Now let’s get cooking! Here’s everything you need to know.

Ingredients Needed

To make salmon alfredo pasta, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the pasta:

• Pasta of your choice – fettuccine or linguine work well, around 8 oz uncooked

• Water and salt for cooking the pasta

For the salmon:

• 2 salmon fillets, around 6 oz each

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper

• Minced garlic

• Fresh parsley

• Lemon juice (optional)

For the alfredo sauce:

• 3 tbsp butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp all purpose flour

• 1 cup milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Parsley, basil, oregano or Italian seasoning for extra flavor (optional)

That’s all you need for a basic salmon alfredo pasta recipe. Of course, you can tweak and customize it by adding different herbs, spices, vegetables, etc. But these basic ingredients will give you a fantastic creamy salmon pasta.

Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s walk through each step of the cooking process.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.

• Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining. This will help make your sauce extra creamy.

• Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Salmon

• Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.

• Add some minced garlic, a squeeze of lemon juice, and chopped parsley on top of the fillets for extra flavor.

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place salmon on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Bake for 10-12 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook.

• When done, flake salmon into bite-sized chunks using two forks. Set aside.

Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

• Sprinkle flour over butter-garlic mixture. Whisk to form a smooth paste or roux. Cook roux for 2 minutes stirring constantly.

• While whisking, slowly pour in milk and cream. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer.

• Reduce heat to low and continue cooking 5 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

• Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan, mozzarella and season with salt and pepper to taste.

• For extra flavor, add 2 tsp Italian seasoning or chopped parsley and basil.

Your creamy alfredo sauce is done!

Step 4: Combine the Pasta and Sauce

• Add the cooked drained pasta and prepared salmon pieces back into the skillet with the finished alfredo sauce.

• Gently toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to thin out the sauce.

• Cook over low heat 1-2 minutes just to heat through. Do not overcook.

• Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Your homemade salmon alfredo pasta is ready!

Serve it right away garnished with extra parsley, basil or Parmesan cheese. You can also add steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach on the side for some veggies.

Dig in and enjoy this luxurious salmon and pasta dish! The tender salmon, noodles and rich alfredo sauce are incredible together.

Tips for Making Perfect Salmon Alfredo

Here are some handy tips to ensure your salmon alfredo turns out delicious:

• Don’t overcook the salmon. It should still be moist and flaky in the center.

• Use high quality ingredients. Splurge on Parmesan cheese and heavy cream for the best flavor.

• Make sure to add pasta water to the sauce. This gives it a nice consistency.

• Toss the pasta with tongs when combining to coat it well with sauce.

• Add lemon juice or zest to brighten up the flavors.

• Season properly with salt and pepper. Taste as you go.

• Cook on low heat once adding pasta to prevent sticking or scorching.

• Garnish with fresh herbs and Parmesan for extra flavor.

• Refrigerate leftovers and enjoy within 3 days. The sauce may thicken after storing.

Now that you’re armed with all this information, you can make restaurant-quality salmon alfredo pasta at home with ease. Follow the steps and have fun customizing with different add-ins. Enjoy this creamy, dreamy pasta dish!

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of salmon is best for pasta?

Wild caught salmon like sockeye is ideal. It has the best flavor and texture. Farmed Atlantic salmon also works well. Any salmon variety will pair nicely with the creamy pasta though.

Can I use frozen salmon?

Absolutely! Thaw frozen fillets overnight in the fridge before using. Cook thawed frozen salmon the same way as fresh.

What pasta shape goes best with alfredo sauce?

Fettuccine, linguine, tagliatelle and pappardelle are classic pairings. Penne or rigatoni also hold the sauce nicely.

How do I make this recipe dairy-free?

Use dairy-free milk like almond milk, dairy-free butter, and swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast flakes.

Can I add veggies like broccoli or spinach?

Yes, adding sautéed broccoli, spinach, peas etc takes this dish to the next level. Load it up with extra veggies!

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta up to 2 days ahead. Cool, cover and refrigerate separately. Combine and reheat before serving.