Description
Creamy Salmon Pasta with Spinach is a rich yet balanced pasta dish made with tender oven baked salmon, silky cream sauce, fresh baby spinach, and linguine. Bright lemon zest and capers add contrast to the creamy base, creating a comforting meal that feels elegant but remains easy to prepare at home. This recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or relaxed gatherings and delivers consistent flavor with simple techniques.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
Salmon fillets about three quarters of a pound total
Kosher salt divided plus extra for pasta water
Ground black pepper divided
Linguine pasta
Unsalted butter
Fresh garlic cloves minced
Heavy cream
Welch’s White Grape Juice or Pacific Foods Chicken Broth
Fresh lemon zest
Baby spinach
Capers drained
Lemon wedges optional for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a small rimmed baking pan with nonstick cooking spray then place the salmon fillets skin side down season evenly with salt and pepper and bake until just opaque and tender then set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil season generously with salt and cook the linguine until al dente then reserve a small amount of pasta water and drain. In a large high sided skillet melt the butter over medium heat add the garlic and cook until fragrant then pour in the heavy cream white grape juice or broth lemon zest remaining salt and pepper bring to a gentle boil reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened. Lower the heat add spinach and capers then add the cooked pasta and toss gently until the spinach wilts and the pasta is coated adding pasta water if needed. Remove the skin from the salmon break the fish into large chunks fold into the pasta gently and serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Use fresh salmon with firm flesh for the best texture and flavor. Avoid overcooking the salmon as it will continue to cook slightly when combined with the hot pasta. The sauce should lightly coat the pasta rather than pool at the bottom and can be adjusted with reserved pasta water if it thickens too much. Add spinach at the very end to preserve its color and prevent excess moisture from thinning the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking and Simmering
- Cuisine: American