Get into summer full swing with this light lemon garlic pasta with salmon. Full of fresh, summer flavors!
Here’s one of my favorite light, summery, sunny type pastas. This light lemon garlic pasta with salmon also has the good fortune of being healthy!.
It’s all about simplicity and freshness. With fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, capers and salmon, you practically have summer on a plate.
And to top it off, for a tiny bit of decadence, we’ll sprinkle some Parmesan loving on it. Since there is no cream sauce, this is all about the goodness and taste of good olive oil mixed with awesome, fresh flavors.
Salmon is a versatile and healthy fish that pairs well with many pasta dishes. The key is to find a pasta that complements but doesn’t overpower the richness of the salmon. I love experimenting with different pasta shapes, sauces and ingredients to find new delicious salmon pasta pairings.
After much trial and error in my kitchen, I’ve rounded up 15 of my favorite pasta dishes that go perfectly with salmon. Keep reading for pasta recipe ideas, tips on pairing salmon and pasta, and to find your new favorite salmon dinner!
Pasta Shapes That Go Well with Salmon
The type of pasta you choose can make a big difference in how well it pairs with salmon. Here are some of my favorite pasta shapes for serving with salmon:
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Linguine – Linguine’s delicate long strands are excellent for light pasta dishes with salmon The noodles wrap nicely around flakes of salmon
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Fettuccine: Like linguine, fettuccine has wide ribbons that hold bits of salmon and sauce well.
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Farfalle—The cute butterfly or bow tie shape can hold salmon pieces and sauce.
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Penne is a great short tube pasta for heartier salmon dishes because the sauce sticks to all the edges.
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Orzo – Tiny rice-shaped orzo makes an interesting base for salmon pasta salads.
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Spaghetti – Classic long thin spaghetti noodles pair nicely with chunky salmon pasta bakes.
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Fusilli – Short twisted fusilli is ideal for creamy pasta bakes with salmon.
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Conchiglie – Shell-shaped pasta is perfect for holding creamy salmon sauces.
15 Pasta Dishes That Pair Perfectly with Salmon
From classic pasta sauces to interesting new flavor combinations, here are 15 delicious pasta recipes to serve with salmon:
1. Lemon Garlic Pasta with Salmon
This fresh and zesty pasta combines linguine with lemon, garlic, olive oil, capers, basil and salmon. The bright citrus flavors perfectly complement the salmon.
2. Pesto Pasta with Salmon
Basil pesto sauce is a natural pairing for salmon. Toss with farfalle or linguine and top with salmon flakes.
3. Salmon and Asparagus Farfalle
Sauteed asparagus gives this bow tie pasta a springtime twist. Cream, lemon and dill bring everything together.
4. Cajun Salmon Fettuccine
Spicy Cajun seasoning gives the sauce for this salmon and fettuccine dish a kick of flavor. Sautéed peppers and onions add fresh crunch.
5. Salmon and Spinach Manicotti
Flaky salmon and spinach stuffed in manicotti shells make a satisfying pasta bake. Top with tomato sauce and mozzarella.
6. Salmon Carbonara Orzo
This lighter version of carbonara uses orzo instead of heavy pasta. Eggs, Parmesan and peas round it out.
7. Smoked Salmon Penne
Smoked salmon adds deliciously intense flavor to a creamy penne dish with peas and dill.
8. Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce Farfalle
Tomato cream sauce has just the right balance of richness for salmon. Toss with bow tie pasta for a hearty meal.
9. Mediterranean Salmon and Orzo Salad
Flavorful Mediterranean ingredients like olives, feta, tomatoes, spinach and artichoke hearts surround orzo and salmon.
10. Salmon Florentine Pasta
Sautéed spinach and sun-dried tomatoes add bold flavor to penne topped with salmon in a velvety cream sauce.
11. Jalapeño Salmon Fusilli
If you like a little kick, this spicy peppery cream sauce with salmon is delicious tossed with fusilli.
12. Salmon and Scallop Linguine
Seared scallops add luxury, and lemon-caper sauce ties everything together in this gourmet linguine dish.
13. Salmon with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce
A quick pan sauce of tomato, cream and basil over linguine is elevated with salmon.
14. Cajun Salmon Pasta
Penne in a zesty Cajun alfredo sauce gets topped with blackened salmon for some Southern flair.
15. Lemon-Herb Salmon Conchiglie
Buttery lemon-herb sauce coats shell pasta and salmon for a decadent cream-based meal.
Tips for Pasta and Salmon Pairings
Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing pasta dishes to serve with salmon:
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Match lighter sauces like lemon-based or olive oil-based with delicate pastas like angel hair or linguine. Go for heartier sauces with penne or fusilli.
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Balance richness with acidity. Tangy ingredients like lemon juice, tomatoes or olives help cut the richness of salmon and cream-based sauces.
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Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, dill or chives always pair nicely with salmon.
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Get creative with vegetables like asparagus, spinach, roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes to liven up pasta and salmon.
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Don’t overcomplicate it. Sometimes simple butter or olive oil-tossed pasta is all you need to let the salmon shine.
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Make sure pasta and sauces don’t overpower the salmon. The salmon should be the star!
Perfectly Paired: Salmon and Pasta
With so many pasta possibilities, you could enjoy a different salmon pasta dish every week and never get bored! I hope these recipe ideas have inspired you to step out of your pasta comfort zone and try some new flavor combinations with salmon.
The richness of the fish pairs so nicely with pasta. With a little creativity and some tasty recipes, you can take your salmon dinners to the next level.
MORE SALMON RECIPES TO TRY
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How To Make Light Lemon Garlic Pasta With Salmon (1 Min Video)
Start off by cooking the pasta. You can use any tube-shaped pasta you like for this recipe. I used rigatoni, but you could also use spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, pappardelle, or something else. If you want it even healthier, sub with whole wheat pasta instead.
Put the salmon fillets in the oven to cook while the pasta is cooking. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also pan-sear the salmon for something crispier, about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. No matter how you prepare the salmon, flakes or cubes it into small pieces so there’s plenty for everyone when we mix it all together.
Mince the garlic, chop the basil and get your lemon rind ready while the pasta and salmon cook. As usual, I’m gonna advocate using a microplane for grating your rind and Parmesan cheese. It’s worth it.
Drain the pasta and mix it all up with some good-quality olive oil. You’ll want something high quality because this will be the ‘sauce’ that binds the flavors together, so it has to be delicious. I used extra virgin olive oil here. If you don’t know the difference between regular olive oil, virgin olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, here’s a great guide explaining it. Feel free to add more olive oil if you feel the pasta is a bit too dry for your liking and be sure to add some while heating up any leftovers.
Now it’s time to add some fresh basil to the pasta. It’s okay to use lightly dried basil from Gourmet Garden if you don’t want to buy fresh basil for just one dish and don’t have any growing in your garden. This is what it looks like, and you can find it in the fresh vegetable section of your store. They smell fresher than the usually dried herbs and keep long in the fridge. Add some chopped fresh garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Then, toss the pasta to coat it all.
Then we add fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and capers to the pasta for some citrus flavor. By now the salmon should be cooked, so flake it, then add it to the pasta. Be gentle during the tossing so you don’t end up with salmon shreds.
The baking time of the salmon will vary depending on how thick your fillet is. As a general rule, cook salmon for 10 minutes for every inch of thickness, which is found at its thickest point. If you start getting too much whitish stuff, you’ve cooked it too long.
And you’re ready to serve. Putting the pasta on a plate and topping it with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese is now the fun part. I like shaved because every once in a while I find a Parmesan shaving that makes me feel like I’ve found a treasure. Also, if you happen to like olives, this pasta really goes well with it!.
Creamy Tuscan Salmon | QUICK & EASY Salmon Pasta Recipe #SalmonRecipe #MrMakeItHappen
FAQ
What is salmon usually served with?
What pasta is best with fish?
What kind of pasta do you use for salmon?
You can absolutely use whatever pasta you have on hand (and any shape will work, too!). Parsley – a bright garnish that compliments the lemon and garlic in the sauce. This super-simple pasta starts with lemon garlic butter. It’s both in the pasta sauce and in the salmon, infusing the flavor throughout each component of this recipe.
What are healthier alternatives for pasta?
Regular pasta is made with refined wheat flour, leaving these noodles with scant levels of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Here are six pasta alternatives to traditional pasta which can be enjoyed with out sacrificing vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbs. They are, Zucchini noodles, Squash noodles, Quinoa pasta, Rice pasta, Black bean pasta, Shirataki noodles. Spaghetti squash is an excellent pasta substitute. Spiralized vegetables is an healthier substitute to pasta.
Is pasta a good side dish for salmon?
Not only that, but pasta is an affordable and easy side dish option that anyone can make without too much fuss. So go ahead and add some variety to your salmon dinner repertoire by pairing it with one of these 15 delicious pasta side dishes. Pick any of these easy and tasty pasta sides for your salmon meal.
Which pasta dish should I serve with smoked salmon?
For example, if you’re serving a dish with a lot of butter, then a light pasta dish would be perfect. On the other hand, if you’re serving a dish with a strong, rich flavor profile, then a heavy pasta dish might not be the best option. Related: What to Serve with Pan Fried Salmon (14 Easy Sides) What to Serve with Smoked Salmon: 31 Best Sides